Mohammed arrived from Gaza today for an appointment with the Neurologist at Sheba over concerns that he is experiencing problems with his brain functioning. The doctor asked Mohammed to execute some simple physical tests in his office, most of which he completed with ease. The most challenging task was standing up onto his feet from a seated position on the floor. The doctor recommended Mohammed get a CT scan for a more complete evaluation. His CT is yet to be scheduled, but he does have some more tests this Sunday.

This was my first time meeting Mohammed, and it was a pleasure to spend the day with him. The wait for Mohammed’s appointment was long, but it allowed us time to bond. Both of us had a similar haircut and were wearing all black, so his mother took a photo of us together. Both he and his mother were incredibly patient while we navigated the hospital and waited in the lobby. We are excited to be hosting them at the family home in Ashdod again while they wait for the CT.

Please be in prayer as we wait for answers from the doctors regarding Mohammed’s motor skills. He has already overcome many challenges related to his heart, so we pray God will continue paving his way toward complete health.

Today, coworker Lilly and I picked up Mohammed and his mother from the Erez Crossing point. Together we drove to the Sheba Medical Center for Moammed’s echo appointment.

I went together with them first to the ECG and they measured also his oxygen level, which was very good. Afterwards, we had to wait a long time, because the whole echo area was full with children also waiting for their appointment.  Finally, we were called into the echo room.

The doctor said that Moammed’s heart looked good so far, but Mohammed was complaining that he feels very weak, if he has to stand up for example. So they can’t find a reason for that from what they see on the echo. That’s the reason why he is coming back in one month to do a stress/exercise test to find maybe the reason and to see how the lungs and the heart are working together. Added to that, he has some neurological problems. A Neurologist wants to check Mohammed also in around one month. So we are going to see him soon again. We brought them back to Gaza.

Thank you for prayers over Mohammed and his family.

Today we picked up Mohammed and his mother from The Erez Border Crossing, to bring Mohammed to Sheba Hospital for a follow-up appointment.

The doctor was very friendly and took a lot of time to examine him. Through the ECG, Echo and X-ray, the doctor said everything is okay in his opinion and he is content with Mohammed’s Condition, which is by the way, the same condition as Mohammed’s last check-up.

The only problem is that Mohammed is complaining about not feeling well and often being very tired. The doctor could not find the reason for this and will discuss Mohammed’s case on Wednesday at the meeting with the other cardiologists. The next examination will be in three months if the doctor decides nothing else on Wednesday.

Again, I‘m always grateful and impressed by how much the doctors care for every single child in Sheba Hospital. During Mohammed’s appointment for example, at one point, there were three doctors in the room to talk about the result of Mohammed’s echo.

Please pray that the doctors discover the reason for Mohammed’s complaints.

Mohammed came to Sheba hospital for an echo one month after his catheterization; he had surgery when he was a baby, and the therapeutic cath last month was to aid in his heart function. Seeing a sixteen year old who came for surgery as a baby, is really cool but also strange because it makes me think of the babies I’ve known here at Shevet Achim. In sixteen years time, perhaps some of these babies will return and a Shevet staff member will meet them and hear their story. Thank God the echo was good and Mohammed will return in a few months for a follow-up!

Mohammed and his mother traveled back home to Gaza today. There were additional things the staff hoped to do during his hospitalization, but he and his mother were very set on leaving, so they will complete the other tests in Gaza. Waiting for them at home is Mohammed’s ten other siblings!

Sixteen year old Mohammed had an interventional catheterization today at Sheba hospital. The procedure took about three and a half hours.  During this time, I met his lovely mother. She told me that he has previously had two open heart surgeries, and will need another one. The hope of this cath was also in part to see if Mohammed is ready for the third operation.

What really struck me was that this vibrant sixteen year old had his first surgery with Shevet when he was two days old! I thought of all the babies we’ve known who’ve had surgeries in their first days of life, and it is crazy to picture them sixteen years in the future. It was a moment where you zoom out, and see the scope of their lives which are changed sometimes dramatically because of these surgeries, but it’s especially palpable when their first surgeries are in their infanthood and they walk through our doors sixteen years later.

The catheter was long, but it went very well according to the doctors. They were able to place a stent in his heart, and saw that there is still time needed before his third surgery. It is also wonderful to think that people from Shevet were praying for the infant sixteen years ago, so let us continue to pray for this young man as he grows.

Co-worker Carina and I collected Mohammed and his lovely mother from the Gaza Strip this morning and brought them to Sheba Medical Center where a catheterization is scheduled for him tomorrow.

A room was made ready for Mohammed right away which was very convenient for all. After Mohammed had his Echo and his ECG, Carina went to the X-ray area with them while I was assiged another task in the hospital today.

When I was finished with my errand, I thought we would still have to wait for Mohammed’s room to be prepared, but Carina texted me that Mohammed was getting admitted to his room right at that moment. That was very nice and one of the quickest admissions into the hospital that I’ve seen since coming to work with Shevet.