Today coworker Amelie and I drove very early in the morning from our home in Ashdod together with cute little Fayez and his lovely mother, to the Sheba Medical Center.
First we did a blood test.
As always, it was a big fight to get the amount of blood together needed for the test. They collected the blood, drop by drop, and tried different places on Fayez to draw from. At one point, they just pushed the blood out of one finger to collect the droplets. He cried a lot, but still he was very brave.The nurse said afterwards that he is a hero and gave him a bag full of sweets for which he was really happy.
After a long time spent with the blood test, we finally went to Fayez’s echo.
They made also an ECG and measured his oxygen, which was only 75%.
The doctor came and said that Fayez is not doing so well, his Digoxin levels are very low. The doctors will try to treat this in the coming days. This is the reason why Fayez was spontaneously admitted to the hospital.
After the echo, we had to wait a longer time and Fayez used this time to sleep on the floor.
I always enjoy being with him, he is such a smiler.
Added to that, it was very special for me to spend this day with Fayez and his mother, because my first hospital day serving with Shevet, it was with little Fayez that I worked and now he is also my last child to work with. So I started kind of with him my journey in Shevet Achim and also ended it with him.
Let’s pray for this wonderful child, that his condition is now finally going to be better.
Fayez is back with us in Ashdod. His condition is still not good. The mother needs to go with him to the hospital in Gaza a lot of times and the blood tests that he got there were not good. Tomorrow he will have a blood test here and a meeting with his cardiologist to see what needs to change in his medications or if he needs another intervention. We ask for your prayers for Fayez, since he has been struggling with his health for a while now.
Today I drove together with cute little Fayez and his lovely mother early in the morning from our home in Ashdod to Sheba Medical Center for his blood test appointment.
It was nearly the same like one month ago with his last blood test. When we entered the room, he knew exactly what was going to happen and started crying. You could really see and hear how afraid he was and that he hadn’t had good experiences there.
Therefore it was very helpful that his mother gave him comfort and was the whole time, patiently by his side and tried to make him smile again. This time the blood test didn’t work as well as it did the last time. The nurse had to try it five times without success and at the sixth try, it finally worked. Well, this time she also had to save drop by drop. The reason was that his blood flow was not good at all because he had again really thick dark blood. So it took a long time until we saved enough blood for the test. In-between these different tries, he had a few minutes break to calm down and to drink.
He did very well and was brave the whole time.
Afterwards, he was happy again and we played together in the big playground area. We had a lot of fun together and it was really nice to see him laughing again. He is, in general, a very happy boy. At the moment, he learns to walk by himself and it’s really cute to see his little tries and steps.
In one month, he and his mother are coming back for his next echo and then we will also see the outcome of his blood test. Thank you for prayers over Fayez and his family.
Today, coworker Elisabeth and I picked up Fayez and his mother at the Gaza border. We drove together to Sheba Medical Center and waited for a short time until Fayez had his echo,
an ECG,
and had his oxygen levels measured.
The doctor said afterwards, that Fayez’ heart is very weak, that he looks better from the outside than from the inside and that they cannot do catheterizations over and over again. They also want to change his medication, in the hope that this will help him. So he has a blood test scheduled for tomorrow to check on this.
During the waiting time todsay, Fayez loved to play in the playground area and we played hide and seek, which was really funny and he laughed a lot.
After everything was done, I drove with them back to our home in Ashdod, where they are staying with us until tomorrow.
Fayez is very special to me because he was the first child I went with to the hospital during my time here at Shevet. So hope for good test results tomorrow.
This morning we sang during our worship time the song, Give Thanks with these lyrics: “and now let the weak say, I am strong.” God can give Fayez and his heart new strength like nobody else could do! Let’s pray for this little guy, his weak heart and his lovely mother.
Today, coworker Celina and I drove with cute little Fayez and his mother very early in the morning from our home in Ashdod to the Sheba Medical Center.
We had a second try for his blood test and this time he didn’t get his medicine before.
When they entered the room for the bloodtest, Fayez immediately started crying, screaming and shaking his whole body. He really hates needles, but the nurse was really nice and patient.
The blood was very thick and so they saved drop by drop; this took a little bit.
After that, we drove back to Ashdod again. Two hours later, we got the blood test result and because it was good, Fayez was finally discharged to Gaza.
Fayez is a really cute boy. I love how he is smiles. We had a lot of fun together during their waiting time in Ashdod. Please pray for little Fayez and his lovely mother and for blessings over them.
Today, coworker Joanne and I drove early in the morning with Fayez and his mother to Sheba Medical Center. Fayez needed a blood test.
On our way to the hospital, Fayez was in a very good mood. But as soon as we entered the blood test room, he started crying. It was not very easy to get blood out of Fayez’s veins, so the nurses had to try again and again.
But Fayez was very brave and in the end, he smiled again. Due to bad timing of the blood test and medication, we have to go tomorrow again to Sheba to do a second blood test for Fayez. Until then, they stay with us in Ashdod.
We can pray that the blood test tomorrow morning will go well and fast and that they can return home to Gaza.
Our cute little Fayez is discharged to our home in Ashdod. His heart is still not in a good condition, but for his next surgery he has to be older. So, because he is reacting well to his medication, he is discharged to Ashdod.
Early on Sunday morning, he has to go back to Sheba for a blood test and than he can return home to Gaza.
On our way to Ashdod we had a lot of fun clapping and laughing together to the music.
Please pray for Fayez, that he will be alright until his next surgery. His mother is very worried about him. Let’s pray for blessings for the whole family.
While coworker Lilly and I were visiting Fayez in Sheba Hospital, he was working on a big meal, but was happy to see us and smiling a lot. His mother was in a good mood. She is very thankful for our visits and she gave us both a big hug.
Fayez’s heart condition is not good. He is on a higher dose of medication. The doctors are keeping him for observation for a few days more, after which he will have another echo. When he is stable enough to go home, he will be discharged. Fayez is not yet ready for the next surgery however, as he needs to be older.
We ask for your prayer for both Fayez and for the doctors to have wisdom regarding the next steps of treatment for Fayez’s heart condition.
Fayez is still in the secondary ICU of Sheba Hospital and his nurses explained today that he’s doing as well as can be expected. His heart is not in a good condition but the doctors don’t think surgical intervention will help at the moment. Instead, they’ve adjusted his medications and are waiting to make sure the doses are good before sending him home.
This situation is very disappointing for Fayez’s mother, who was hoping for a good solution for him so he could go home much healthier. Even so, she told me over and over how glad she is that Fayez can be here. “If we had stayed in Gaza, Fayez would have died,” she told me in Arabic. “You girls have been there for us for a long time and I love you all so much.”
Please pray for Fayez’s doctors to find a good solution for him so he can grow up healthy.
Today, coworker Willem and I went to Sheba Medical Center and visited Fayez. He was just waking up which was really cute to watch.
Fayez’s cardiac condition is not so good at the moment, and that’s why a team of doctors will meet on Sunday and discuss his further treatment. For now he is stable and gets medication that helps him.
When I visited Fayez today at Sheba Medical, he was extubated and getting some exercise with the physiotherapist. Fayez is still under a lot of medication, so he is very sleepy and dizzy. Still he needs to keep moving and sitting up so that his body will recover its strength.
All the test results after the procedure yesterday had encouraging results , so his cardiac state is good. Now the doctors need to see how he recovers and what else they can do for Fayez.
His mother was happy today and on the phone with her husband, showing him how Fayez is doing. Fayez was half asleep and sometimes laughing and trying to play with his balloon. So slowly he is becoming his old self.
Fayez had a catheterization this afternoon at Sheba hospital to investigate the cause of the deterioration in his heart condition. Fayez’s heart is very weak and the doctors found that some of the valves in his heart are allowing some regurgitation of blood.
The cath was a difficult one, and Fayez had to be resuscitated once during the procedure. However, the doctors were able to dilate several arteries to allow better blood flow, and Fayez is now stable and recovering in the ICU.
During the procedure, Amelie waited with Fayez’s mom and they were joined by some other moms from Gaza, who came around Fayez’s mother to support and comfort her. She is still very anxious about him and is hoping that this procedure will resolve his recent problems. We’re praying for this also.
Today I visited cute Fayez and his lovely mother at Sheba Medical Center.
When I entered their room, he was sleeping peacefully, so I talked a lot with the mother. She was really thankful that I took the time for her, and she showed me many pictures of her family and life back in Gaza.
The doctor said that Fayez is doing well, but his oxygen level is low. He is going to have a catheterization on Tuesday.
Please pray for him and his mother and for the coming catheterization to go well.
Today coworker Amelie and I visited Fayez and his mother at Sheba Medical Center. He is not doing so well and he still has a fever’
At the end of our visit, it was nice to see that he smiled at least a little bit.
His mother tried her best to bring him to laugh and she wants of course the best for him.
The doctor mentioned that they are doing a few blood tests on Fayez to find out if he has an infection in his heart, blood or somewhere else. A cardiologist saw him and his heart function is not very well. So if his heart doesn’t have a relapse, they will do a catheterization.
Please pray for Fayez, and that the doctors will soon find the problem that’s causing his condition.
Coworkers Bria, Joanne, and I went to Erez this morning to pick up Fayez and his mother and bring them to Sheba Medical Center. His mother was in good spirits, but concerned about Fayez’s condition. He was hospitalized in Gaza for twenty days before coming here today.
He shared cookies with all of us while waiting for his echo and ECG.
Once the echo and ECG were completed, the cardiologists decided they wanted Fayez to be hospitalized due to his having been hospitalized in Gaza and previously having a fever.
Joanne and I went down to the ER where Fayez had many tests done. Upon completion, we were sent to one of the wards where Fayez was admitted.
They will continue doing tests to see what has been affecting him. Please be praying that the doctors would have insight into his condition.
Written by Joanne and Hanna Today, Joanne and I picked up little Fayez at the Erez Border Crossing and brought him to Sheba Medical Center for a check-up. Fayez is a really happy child and he has a big smile.
He had an echo and an ECG. Everything was okay and he will come back in two months for another check-up. After the hospital visit, we brought them back to Gaza. We ask you to pray for a blessing over Fayez and his family.
After the blood test for Fayez at Sheba hospital on Wednesday, both he and his mother had to stay for one more night in our community home in Jaffa, so that Fayez’s mother can learn how to give the Clexane to Fayez correctly. She stayed the last couple of days in our family home and we enjoyed spending time with her, eating dinner together and play with Fayez.
Fayez’ mother was very happy about finally going back to her family in Gaza to her family finally. On our way to the Erez border crossing, cute Fayez slept the whole time.
After a couple of days, doctors at Sheba Medical checked Fayez’ Clexane level again. They found it is okay, but still not where it should be.
We increase the medication now per day, and hope that the result of the next blood test on Wednesday will be good and qualify Fayez for discharge home to Gaza soon. Please pray for this.
Today Fayez went to Sheba hospital to have a blood test and an echo. It was the hope that everything would be good and that he and his mother could go back to Gaza today.
Unfortunately that was not the case. The Clexane level in Fayez’s blood was too low, so discharge to Gaza was not possible. Fayez’s mother will have help with giving the medicine to Fayez, in the hope that the Clexane level will increase. Please pray for wisdom for Fayez’s mother, that she is able to give her son what he needs to be healthy.
Fortunately Fayez is still the happiest child, and we really enjoy having him and his lovely mother in our house in Jaffa.
Today we got the good news that Fayez can be discharged from Sheba hospital. He has to stay in our Jaffa community home until at least Wednesday.
On Wednesday he will have a blood test at the hospital to see the levels of the Clexane in his blood. After this, the doctor will decide if he can go back to Gaza.
Little Fayez was in a good mood and smiled at me a lot, also his mother was very friendly as always. Let’s pray for a good outcome on Wednesday.
The attending doctor at Sheba hospital told me today that Fayez is in a very good condition. A blood test indicated there is no infection anymore. Antibiotics have been stopped.
Very recently Fayez started coughing and it’s harder for him to breath. The doctor will check about this. We hope this will not affect his good recovery in any way. Doctors planned to discharge him very soon, so let’s be praying about this.
At 10 a.m. this morning, Fayez went in to his catheterization at Sheba Medical Center. His mother was very worried, and spent the time patiently waiting for news of how it went. Although we can’t communicate perfectly, she still wanted to speak with me through a translation application on our cell phones.
The doctors performed a diagnostic and interventive catheterization that helped the function of his heart. Trusting all went well.
Fayez’s catheterization admission to Sheba hospital included a stop at the dental clinic, not a normal assignment. The cardiologist wanted Fayez’ teeth to be checked to make sure his cath would be safe tomorrow.
Fayez is about one and a half years old which means he is in between the second and third step surgeries. His cath tomorrow is diagnostic and might also be therapeutic to place a stent in his heart.
Fayez is a frequent patient at Sheba, so everyone knows this lovely boy. They have done an incredible job of caring for him through his whole life. I looked back at his blog and it starts on June 10th of 2020. He has grown so much since then, and it has been a special thing to see him grow.
Please keep praying for his life as he waits for another procedure tomorrow.
Today Fayez’s catheterization at Sheba hospital was postponed until next week.
Meanwhile, he and his mum will be staying at our house in Jaffa, which feels very familiar because they’ve been here many times before and are old friends.
As we were leaving the hospital, his mother got him dressed and completed the outfit with a satchel, which was so cute on him. He is a very sweet boy. Please be praying for him throughout the days leading up to the cath.
Fayez and his mother are old friends with Shevet. When we talked on the phone, his mom asked me if I remembered her and of course we did. Fayez was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, he was returned to Gaza in January and now is coming back for a catheterization.
It was not clear if there was permission for his mom to enter Israel, or just for his grandmother; a chaperone is required for each child arriving to Israel. Due to this uncertainty, Fayez’ mother began calling me again and again, it was challenging.
I thought to myself I need to be more patient, All those calls reflect the stress of her situation, she is about to take her child to a foreign country for a treatment and still does not know if she will be allowed to come with him or not- any mom would be stressed in this situation. It also made me appreciate the work of Amar who is under constant pressure from day and night calls for much of the time.
We arrived at Sheba hospital, and things calmed down. We found some food for Fayez and his chaperone while we waited for their room to be prepared. Fayez was admitted to Sheba and the cath is scheduled for tomorrow.
When Co-worker Sebastian brought the three families from our Jerusalem Guest House to Sheba Hospital this morning for an Echo-cardiogram, they included the cheerful gentleman Fayez and his mother.
His friendly mum greeted me happily and I was also very pleased to see them both again after about a month. Little gentleman Fayez and his mother were one of the first families I met when I came to serve with Shevet Achim at the end of October. It was lovely to see them again today and our little gentleman has grown a lot in that month. He is growing into a big gentleman and still has the same happy smile.
Today he had to come into hospital for an Echo-cardiogram which he wasn’t happy about of course, from which it became clear that he may need a Catheterization.
In order for the doctors to make a decision on whether a Catheterization is needed for him, they would like to do another Echo-cardiogram in about three weeks. Today, I was allowed to bring the little gentleman and his friendly mum back to the border crossing with Gaza.
After much to-ing and fro-ing, the doctors at Sheba settled on a decision to send Fayez home to Gaza today. It took a lot of work from many nurses to organise everything which he needed to go with, for example, a lot of medicines which are not available in Gaza. Thankfully they all have Fayez’ best interests in their hearts, and as I watched the many huge bags get piled and squeezed into the car, I thought how much has happened from so many people, just with the goal of saving and valuing Fayez’ life.
Fayez is constantly happy, and today was no change, but his mum today was especially happy with the thought of being able to return to her husband and two other sons in Gaza after this long time away.
Thank God for Fayez’ good health, and please pray that God will continue to protect and sustain him. We should see him again in about a month for a check up, and possible further interventions.
Fayez’ catheterisation was postponed this week due to a very long surgery. Today, however he headed into the cath lab in the care of the medical team of Sheba Medical Center, to dilate the stent placed in his last surgery.
Mum was quite worried about this procedure, more worried than I have seen her even for his big surgeries.
It was lovely to spend time with his mum during the three hour wait while Fayez he was in the procedure, and we admired all the decorations and snacks for Hanukkah!
Finally he emerged from the procedure. The doctor explained that it was completely successful, and was very pleased that they had decided to go ahead with it, as there had been a lot of stenosis.
Fayez woke up hungry, and he is recovering well now in the newly re-opened Intermediate Cardiac Unit.
Fayez needs to have another catheterisation later on this week! So the medical team have decided that it’s best for him to remain at the hospital until then. Mum is a little disappointed to remain in the hospital, but as always she has accepted the news in a good spirit, always wanting the best for Fayez.
Thank you for continuing in your prayer support for little Fayez.
Happy Mr. Fayez and his mum were in a crowded waiting room of Sheba Medical Center today. Fayez is no longer in the Intensive Care Unit, but in a general ward, being prepared to return to Gaza!
So pleased he is in a good condition, just a few things need to be arranged for his medication before he can be discharged. Thank God for his recovery.
This happy boy Fayez is still in the Intensive Care Unit of Sheba Medical hospital. Although he continues to recover from surgery, it hasn’t been the easiest time for him, as his temperature has been slightly raised and he still has fluid around his heart.
His mum continues to be so fun to spend time with, despite being in the hospital for quite a while now.
Please keep Fayez in your prayers, and hope for a full recovery soon.
Fayez’ mum called me and showed me on video chat that he has been extubated. She was very happy about it, of course!
When we visited her at Sheba Medical Center later on, we found out that it’s possible he will be ready to have some milk by the end of the day, when he is more awake. Mum is looking forward to having his chest drains removed and being able to hold him properly.
She is delighted with the good result of the Glenn surgery of yesterday. It was so lovely to share her happiness. She kindly asked about the other children at Shevet as always, and fondly spoke about the beach in Jaffa.
Thank God for this good recovery so far for baby Fayez.
Co-worker Sabrina and I arrived at Sheba Medical Center fairly early this morning with two other families from Gaza to be with Fayez’ mum for his surgery day. We saw Fayez’ mum coming out from the operating room. She wanted to organise her bags as she was moving into the Intensive Care Unit after Fayez’ surgery.
She joined us later, and we enjoyed each other’s company a lot. Fayez’ mum is a very kind and generous person, bringing snacks and drinks to share with us all. She is thoughtful about the other families and was also interested to know about the surgery of Alaa, who is another, older patient from Gaza who was having surgery at the same time as Fayez in the adult department.
Little Fayez was in surgery for many hours, but eventually he was safely brought out of the OR and transferred to the ICU. The surgery was long, and he did experience some bleeding. Mum has asked us to pray for his health and recovery.
Mr. Fayez would like to announce that tomorrow is going to be his surgery day! He is feeling very happy about it, and very much enjoyed listening to co-worker Julio speaking Spanish to him today.
We all love this special boy and his mum, they are a fun part of our family.
Please pray for peace for mum and for a safe and successful surgery for this beautiful baby tomorrow. God bless the surgeons and nurses and care staff, may He watch over the whole process.
We had a good but long day with Fayez at Sheba Hospital. Our mission was to admit him so he can stay overnight and have surgery tomorrow.
As we waited, we saw two Gaza family members, i.e., Maryam’s mother and Ziad’s parents, so this made the waiting more pleasant.
Fayez had a full set of assessments, stemming from an ECG to an X-Ray, all before being admitted to the hospital. However, he was a very happy boy all day long, and finally fell asleep as he was brought to his hospital room.
We were hoping that he will have surgery, but we found out later in the afternoon that the doctors are concerned that Fayez may have a virus which means it’s unlikely that the surgery can go ahead tomorrow. We thank you all for your prayers for this little one.
Fayez, the happy mini-gentleman, had to go to the hospital to have his eye checked today. It has been a little infected and we wanted to make sure it wouldn’t affect safety during surgery.
The mother of Fayez administered some eye drops, and the doctor assured her it won’t be a problem for his upcoming surgery.
Thank you for your prayers to cover this little one.
Fayez went into his Catheterization at Sheba Medical Center today. It was diagnostic and interventional Catheterization. They were able to see that he is ready for the Glenn surgery which will hopefully happen in the next few weeks.
Fayez’s mother called various family members as we waited for his cath to finish. This reminded me of last summer when he had his Norwood operation. She would call her relatives and introduce me to them; speaking Arabic over the phone with shoddy reception always makes for an interesting, yet fun time.
For the first few hours after his cath, Fayez was stable. However, this evening, his mother called to say that there have been subsequent complications. Please pray for him as these complications are resolved.
After waiting a long while at the border between Israel and Gaza, this cutie named Fayez came out with his mom and a lot of luggage. I helped her with carrying him.
It was love at first sight. He is a lovely and calm child. It was easy to put him in the car seat, the trip was calm and the grace of the Lord was with us.
Initially we didn’t know if he would be accepted at Sheba Hospital for Catheterization or not, but he was suddenly accepted and all the test required was supplied.
Fayez is now sleeping at the hospital. Tomorrow he will have the Catheterization procedure and after that we will know if he is needing a surgery. Meanwhile, thank you for all your support and prayers that cover this little one and his mother.
Fayez was discharged from Sheba Medical Center today!
His brain MRI came back indicating nothing of major concern. His ability to drink has improved. Both milestones.
So at three o’clock, co-worker Moshe and I went to Sheba to collect him and his mom. The hours that followed weren’t so straightforward. We had to get a milk supplement that was prescribed by the doctor, but none of the chain pharmacies carried it. So we had to get another prescription from the doctor, which was just an easily accessible supplement called grape sugar, which will, in effect, help Fayez’s weight gain.
We proceeded to Erez Border Crossing where we waited for two hours while problems for permission to enter presented themselves again. Fayez’s mom was a trooper through all of it, though by the end she was exhausted. There was a Palestinian ambulance at the border for the majority of our wait. The EMTs with the ambulance were extremely kind, even checking Fayez’s oxygen at one point. Moshe conversed with them easily about the topic of nursing and medicine. Finally at eight o’clock, they allowed Fayez and his mom to enter Erez.
Please continue to pray for Fayez and his mom as they go into quarantine for three weeks. She really wants to see her two older boys who have been waiting for their mom and little brother.
May God watch over Fayez until his one month check-up. Although days like this are long, we can, at the end, thank God for every breath he has given us to live and love in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in.
The attending doctor at Sheba Medical Center today explained that Fayez’ body seems quite stiff, and that also as he is continuing to have swallowing difficulties, they have requested an MRI scan of his brain.
We will keep you updated as we hear the results.
Meanwhile, please be praying for healing from these symptoms, and for peace for his sweet mother.
Fayez had an echocardiogram today in the heart clinic of Sheba Medical Center. As he traveled in his hospital bed, it was a reminder of just how small and precious he truly is. Praise God, his heart is showing improvement.
He still needs to transition from mechanical feeding to drinking milk independently. We continue to pray that he would grow. His mother’s heart is very beautiful. Though she is tired and yearning to return to her other children, she is willing to stay in the hospital so that Fayez can receive the best care possible. Fayez is precious to her, to us, to God.
Beautiful Fayez was asleep when Co-worker Georgia and I found him at Sheba Medical Center (near Tel Aviv) today.
His mum welcomed us. She even gave Fayez to me to hold for a brief time!
Hopefully he will be able return to Gaza soon. He had a brain scan yesterday which showed that everything was okay, but because he has been feeding through a tube for a long time he must relearn how to feed with a bottle before going back home.
Thank God for his life and for bringing him to Israel, despite the hurdles, to receive treatment!
If you can see a little face amongst all these many many blankets, it is Fayez! We found him, moved to a new department, as he is recovering so well, he no longer needs to be in the intensive care unit.
The doctor told us that Fayez had some difficulties with feeding last night, and therefore to give him a thorough assessment, he will have an EEG tomorrow, to test his brain and see if there is any neurological reason for the swallowing difficulty. He will also have an assessment of his feeding.
For now, we can be happy that he seems to be otherwise recovering well.
Please pray that his feeding difficulties are not long lasting.
At the Sheba Medical Center today, Fayez’s mother and I celebrated together as the mechanical ventilation machine was wheeled away from his room. The doctors did not think it was necessary for the machine to be in the room anymore.
He was extubated yesterday, but still receiving a moderate amount of oxygen support. Today, he was completely removed from oxygen support. His mother seemed to be full of hope as she saw the improvement.
Please continue to pray for Fayez, as he will have a check of his head to make sure there is no serious complication; there is some concern that his soft spot is larger than normal.
It was another lovely time with Fayez’ mum this afternoon. She is very happy because he has been extubated and is starting to drink milk now! We shared this happy experience with her mum in Gaza via video chat, which was very lovely.
Thank God that he is doing so well, and we can continue to pray that he heals from his surgery.
Fayez’ sweet mother welcomed me in to their hospital room today. She is so friendly and calm despite being in the hospital with her baby so soon after surgery, and it was very enjoyable to spend some time with her.
She expressed her gratitude to God for helping Fayez to recover so well that they were able to close his chest today!
This is a big victory. Praise God that we are seeing improvement for this tiny baby.
Since being at Shevet, I’ve experienced immense gestures of generosity in hospital rooms and waiting areas, often from mums who have very little themselves. Today was no exception.
As I was in the kitchen area with the mum of one of our Kurdish children, we met Fayez’ mum. She was really happy to see us – even through her face mask, I could tell she was smiling. Without a second thought, she opened the little tuna tin she was carrying, and insisted on sharing it with the two of us. I was touched and encouraged to see God’s heart of generosity, and the way He gives us these special moments together.
Please keep praying for Fayez. Following his surgery yesterday, his chest is still open and he has a long way to go.
Today, Fayez had a scheduled PA Banding surgery. It was successful, though a difficult surgery, and with a small amount of bleeding when he was being stabilized in his room.
I hadn’t met him or his mother before today. But during the hours that we spent waiting for Fayez to come out of surgery, I got to know her a little better. I met her husband and two older boys via a video -chat. They were eager to hear the news of their brother. She also introduced me to her mother, whom she later said raised seven children by herself, as the father died early on.
Strength and resolve runs in this family as was demonstrated by the courage Fayez’s mother showed in the waiting process. After about six hours, Fayez came out of the operating room. The surgeon spoke with us to say that the surgery was done but that it was quite difficult. The next 48 hours would be critical for Fayez, for now his chest must remain open.
Please pray that they might be able to close it soon, and for his mother, who was relieved her baby was out of surgery but worries now for the recovery process.
This was the first time I’d met Fayez and his mum, and I instantly fell in love with them both. Fayez’ mother is one of the sweetest people I’ve met. Where my Arabic quickly ran out, her kind, patient smile seemed to fill in all the gaps. I very quickly forgot the language barrier as we sat there together sharing photos and company.
Ten day old Fayez was doing much better today. The infection is improving and he isn’t on any oxygen. The medical team are hoping it will be possible to perform the surgery next week.
As the doctor explained all this, Fayez’ mother seemed to relax a little. The worry in her eyes turned to relief as she thanked God for her son’s improvement.
Fayez has an infection throughout his body, called sepsis. This is causing many blood imbalances. He is receiving antibiotics, and we are praying that he will be able to recover from this. He is relatively stable now, but the surgeons cannot perform his first surgery until he no longer has the infection.
Please pray for his mother as well, as she is recovering from delivering her beloved son Fayez. She misses her two other sons in Gaza as well.
We thank the Lord that we found Fayez stable in the ICU today. The doctors are waiting for his surgery to be scheduled until after he finishes six weeks of antibiotic treatments due to a virus.
And thankfully, we found the mom was doing well. However, it is difficult for her to be away from her family with two other kids at home and them having a difficult situation. Please pray for this sweet little boy and his family. May God give them grace and provision during this time and keep them under the shadow of His mighty wings. He is able and He can do it.
Yesterday a new baby from Gaza arrived urgently to Sheba Medical Center by ambulance. We welcomed new little Fayez to Israel! And when we write “new” we mean that this little boy is just eight days old.
When we looked for him, he was heading straight for a CT Scan together with a big group of nurses and doctors, as they needed to figure out some specific information about his condition.
In principle, Fayez has a difficult illness called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Children with this diagnosis are also called “the blue babies.” So you can see, it is a very difficult heart defect in which the functions of the heart are quite limited.
We are praying for a good and life-improving stay for Fayez in Israel.
Today coworker Amelie and I drove very early in the morning from our home in Ashdod together with cute little Fayez and his lovely mother, to the Sheba Medical Center.
After a long time spent with the blood test, we finally went to Fayez’s echo.
They made also an ECG and measured his oxygen, which was only 75%.
I always enjoy being with him, he is such a smiler.
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