33-year-old Mohammed L left Israel Friday expressing much gratitude for the five months he was with us:
You may remember how he bumped into us as we escorted children through the security line at the Amman airport, and how he pleaded with us to help him too, after doctors in Jordan sent him home without hope for treatment of his neglected congenital heart defect.
Due to his age it was a long struggle to get a visa for him to enter Israel; and once here it was a struggle for doctors to figure out how to help his heart. Through a catheterization they were able to open up blocked blood flow to one of his lungs, but they hadn’t yet reached a final decision about whether they should take Mohammed to a very high-risk surgery.
I kept encouraging Mohammed to wait and give the doctors more time. But finally this past week he told me he’d been warned by God in a dream not to go to surgery at this time. A statement like that should give any student of the scriptures pause; and I realized that Mohammed, like every living human I know, wasn’t quite ready yet to meet his maker.
Let’s pray for him during the time he has remaining on this earth.
Mohammed went to Sheba hospital today for another appointment with his cardiologist. He had an echo and an ECG. Mohammed and his mother are here now for six months.
The echocardiogram today showed that the water in his body has decreased since his last appointment two weeks ago, which is good and one small step further into a good outcome.
Both Mohammed and his mother are both very eager to go back to Kurdistan. They kept saying to me today, “We want to go back to Kurdistan and we will take the risk that it takes to go back, no matter what.”
They are tired of not knowing how much longer they will be here for treatment. The hospital keeps saying it will be two more weeks until they have decided if there is possible treatment for him. His cardiologist is really doing the best he can for Mohammed and continually responds with patience to their questions and to their eagerness to go home.
I really understand that it might look hopeless for Mohammed and his mom, but there still seems to be hope for him, otherwise his cardiologist would have said already that there isn’t anything they can do for him.
Mohammed will have a Holter Monitor test tomorrow and needs to have several other tests this week which might help to bring more clarity to his case.
Please join me in prayer for Mohammed’s doctors, for our community to continue in patience toward Mohammed and his mother, and for the two of them to have wisdom about this situation also, that they might think it through again and see clearly what’s best for Mohammed’s life even if it continues to take so much time.
Off to Sheba again today for Mohammed’s biweekly visit, which ended quickly and cheerfully. Mohammed is in good spirits as his oxygen levels continue increasing, and the water accumulation in his body continues to decrease. He’s hoping to return home soon, and accepted meekly the request to wait another two weeks for his next checkup.
We pray for wisdom for Mohammed and his doctors, to discern whether high-risk surgical intervention is still justified, or if the present improvements indicate he should go home without surgery.
Mohammed was discharged from Sheba Medical Center to our home in Jaffa, after they started him on a new medicine for the fluid build-up in his stomach.
He and his mom were very excited to be back in the comfort of community and familiar food in Jaffa.
Please continue praying for Mohammed’s recovery, that he and his mother would continue to wait patiently for him to become well enough for the next steps of treatment.
Yesterday and again today, Mohammed has not had any more episodes of tachycardia, so he was able to he moved out of the cardiac ICU at Sheba Medical Center.
In the ward where he is now, his mother can be with him, which is really good for them both. It’s not easy for her to be at the house when her son is in the hospital.
In the last few days, the fluid build-up in his stomach has gotten worse, so he was started on a new medication for this.
Please be praying for Mohammed and the road ahead of him, that it would be made smoother and healing at the end of it.
This morning, Alena and I took Mohammed to the Sheba Medical Center adult ER because of a sudden episode of tachycardia, or extremely high heart rate.
The doctors in the emergency room administered an electric shock with a defibrillator, after which his heart rate returned to the normal range. However, because of the severity and risk of this condition, the doctors thought it best to hospitalize him for the time being in case he has another episode.
Please pray for Mohammed, as his prolonged recovery and continued challenges are becoming quite discouraging for him. The medical team at Sheba is doing a wonderful job taking care of him, and we’re grateful for their dedication.
Mohammed was back with his cardiologist today to check whether there is improvement following his interventional catheterization one month ago. The change to his anatomy then caused a setback in his oxygen levels which doctors hope will prove temporary.
And indeed today they found that his oxygen saturations are improving into the 80s and even the 90s. Still they told Mohammed that it will be one or two months before they’ll be able to decide whether he is a candidate for surgery.
This waiting is difficult for Mohammed and his mother; we pray for patience and grace, and that our Father will complete the good work he has begun.
Today we went to Sheba hospital with Mohammed and his mother for a blood test and x-ray. Afterwards, we talked to the doctor. He asked Mohammed to come back in two weeks to have an echo and check-up. The doctor wants Mohammed to recover a bit more especially because of his lungs. Mohammed is on oxygen support and tired. After this outcome, he was even more disappointed, because he has waited so long already for the long-awaited surgery or cath.
Please pray that Mohammed recovers in these next two weeks so that the doctors are free to decide to go on with the next best step.
Mohammed had his follow-up appointment a day early because of a difficult weekend. Please pray for him as he copes with low oxygen because one of his lungs is not well, and needs time to heal.
The decision for further treatment has not yet been made, and will be carefully weighed by the cardiologists and surgeons, whether he will have the artificial valve placed via surgery, or if they will do a surgery catheterization hybrid. But firstly Mohammed must heal, so please be praying for his recovery.
Every day carries ups and downs. There is frustration and sadness, but also appreciation for what’s being done for him and his sense of humor never fails. May the Lord bless and keep this young man.
Today Mohammed was discharged to Jaffa. He is still on oxygen support, but he is good enough to be in our house. Next week he will have an appointment with the surgeon to talk about the next step for him.
Please pray for Mohammed, and for the surgeon and doctors to make the right decision for Mohammed’s next step.
Last night at Sheba hospital, Mohammed had trouble with his oxygen level. It dropped into the 40% range. Luckily, he became more stable during the night and today, so he is almost back to his normal oxygen level.
The doctors are still discussing what to do next with Mohammed and are, as usual, being thoughtful and careful in how they proceed with him.
Thank you for all your prayers, and we ask you to keep praying for him.
Today Mohammed was moved out of the Adult ICU at Sheba Medical Center and into an intermediate ward where his mother can now stay with him through the day and night This is an answer to her prayers, because she said this morning she couldn’t sleep last night because her heart was at the hospital with her son. Now may they have some peace together.
Please be praying for the next steps for him, if he will go to surgery in order to complete the valve implantation, but for now he is recovering and eager to be released to Jaffa. He is well on his way as he devoured a Shawarma pita, his first meal in about two days!
Co-worker Rachel and I went to Sheba Hospital in the morning with Muhammad Latif for his Interventional Catheterization.
After a few hours of waiting with his mom, the doctor came and said that the cath in general, was ok. His left lung pressure was not good. The width needs to be at least 26 mm for the procedure to be made, but it was too narrow and the vessel was dilated with a balloon. The right pressure was raised, so they had to ventilate him.
The plan is to wait for him to stabilize and then to insert a stent. Mohammed was moved via ambulance to the adult ICU for now. When we went to see him, he wasn’t fully sleeping and managed to communicate with his mom by hands. He later was sitting up and able to talk with us.
There was a visiting pastor from the north who prayed with Mohammed’s mom while she was waiting. This brought her much comfort. She will come with us back to our community center in Jaffa since there is no option for her to stay in the ICU.
We hope that Mohammed will be more stable in the coming days and that God would give the doctors wisdom for the next steps to best help Mohammed.
Today Mohammed came to Sheba Medical Center for a pre-cath check up. His virus from two weeks ago has gotten much better and so he was deemed well enough to undergo the catheterization. He was able to get the explanation of what they hope to do in the cath, and also could speak with one of the doctors doing the procedure.
His main hope and prayer is that he won’t have to endure the swelling in his stomach and legs anymore; we pray for him to come through the catheterization feeling better than ever.
I was reminded of what of the cath doctors said when they decided to do this procedure instead of a surgery: “this is very important, we only want to do good here.” Mohammed is very ready to have the cath, and can know that he is not only in very capable hands, but very diligent and compassionate ones, too.
After his catheterization was delayed due to illness last week, Mohammed had a checkup at Sheba hospital today. His x-ray and echo showed that he is ready for his cath, which will take place soon.
In the meantime, Mohammed has been enjoying time at our home in Jaffa. He and his mother have become good friends with the other families during their time here, which I’m sure makes the waiting easier.
Please pray that the cath will be scheduled soon, and for patience for him and his mother in the waiting.
Today would be the day to admit Mohammed to Sheba hospital for tomorrow’s cath. But when we were in the hospital to have some tests done, including an echo, blood test and ECG, the doctors decided to wait on the cath. The visit to the ER last Friday shows that he is still ill and had just stopped his course of antibiotics.
Mohammed was looking forward to this cath after waiting for a long time, he was disappointed. Please pray that his coughing stops soon, and the cath will be not delayed for too long.
After four days of coughing and no sleep for Mohammed, we decided to go to the Sheba hospital’s ER today. His difficulty in breathing was audible and he felt very weak. He mentioned also many times that he doesn’t want to stay and just wants some medicine. It was also the reason why he put off the consideration of going to the ER until just now.
Doctors decided to give him antibiotics for the next three days to treat his bronchitis and they allowed him to return to our community home. In general, the doctors and nurses were very friendly and helped us. It didn’t take us that long in the ER area which is very unusual. The blood test, X-Ray and ICG went also very fast.
Mohammed is very happy with this outcome and likes to be back in Jaffa, rather than in the hospital.
Please pray that this little set back will not change the plans for his eventual catheterization which was scheduled to take place in the next few days.
After a month of tests, doctors at Sheba Medical Center reached a decision for Mohammed.
Mohammed was waiting to hear whether or not a surgery would be possible. His doctors have instead decided to perform a therapeutic catheterization to place an artificial valve in his heart and dilate his right pulmonary artery. In the words of one of the doctors, it is important that they only do good for him, which is why they’ve concluded a cath will be better than both surgery and no surgery.
Shevet co-worker Jonathan said that the valve needed for the procedure costs around $20,000. Between the money the family contributed, and a donation given specifically for Mohammed, we have committed to covering the cost of this valve placement, so the catheterization could move forward.
In the meantime, Mohammed and his mum are discharged to our Jaffa community house to wait for the catheterization, which means they will get to go to the beach and eat as much Kurdish food as they want!
As we left the hospital, Mohammed and his mother said goodbye to all of the staff who had become their friends. They pointed to almost every nurse, doctor or nursing assistant we saw and commented on how wonderful they were. This was amazing to see the impression they left on each other’s lives.
After his last catheterization at Sheba hospital, Mohammed’s doctors will be meeting in the coming days to make their collective decision concerning Mohammed’s eligibility for surgery. This has been where his case was headed since before he arrived; he holds the tension with good humor, even though he knows the risk of operation, or the outcome if it can’t be done.
Co-workers Julio and Margarita spent some time with Mohammed and his mother today. They all took a stroll down to the lobby of the cardiac building where there was a man playing piano. Any time spent with Mohammed and his mum is a beautiful time. Please be in prayer for this young man – may he have a full life ahead of him, one of joy and laughter.
Today Mohammed had another diagnostic catheterization done because his case is sensitive and the doctors are not yet decided on the best possible treatment for him.
It was another nice waiting time for me spent with Mohammed and his lovely mother. She maintains a lovely attitude in the whole situation and isn’t afraid at all. She keeps saying she knows Mohammed’s problem is quite difficult, but that there is no problem greater then God.
Mohammed came out of his catheterization after one hour so it was really quick and his mother and I kept looking for him in the recovery area where they usually bring the patients after their procedures. We couldn’t find him there, but shortly after, Mohammed’s mother received a phone call from him saying that he is back in his room.
That was a funny moment because we didn’t expect that. We ended up going to the room and found him wide awake and in a happy mood, already saying that he is hungry and wants to eat something. It was nice to spend some time with him and his mother afterwards and to get to know them more. They both keep having a patient, wonderful attitude towards the whole situation.
Please join me in prayer that it might continue like that until the doctors have made a decision about his treatment.
Mohammed had his MRI today at Sheba Medical Center. The medical staff didn’t have any Kurdish interpretation for the MRI procedure so they asked me to go inside with him.
He was a little bit anxious because the metal shield was so heavy on his chest. He was moving sometimes, but at the end was a very good patient. After we finished, he rested a little bit and we went back to the cardiac adult unit.
We still don’t know if they will decide to do the operation or not. After the MRI results, we hope to know that.
Please, let’s keep praying for him and his strong mother, who takes care of him all the time.
I visited Mohammed Latif at Sheba Medical Center with Co-worker Julio. It was very nice to see him and his mother and to just chat with each other. They both are still in happy moods.
Mohammed told us he is very tired because of his heart, and he cannot walk for a long time anymore. He is sad about that, although he seems very grateful and happy about the help he is receiving here in Israel, at Sheba hospital, through the ministry of Shevet Achim.
He also told us about his resuscitation, at least three times in his history, before he came to Israel. It was very interesting and remarkable to listen to him.
Mohammed Latif may get tested tomorrow so his doctors can decide if and what operation is necessary. Please pray for this.
Today was diagnostic catheterization day at Sheba hospital for Mohammed. The procedure took around one and a half hours. Medical staff must now exam results of the cath and decide how best to treat Mohammed.
It was my first time to meet both Mohammed and his mother. They were very welcoming to me. We chatted a bit about Germany, where I come from, and then Mohammed went into the cath lab.
His mother and I spent the waiting time together, talking and laughing, drinking tea and strolling outside.
Mohammed woke promptly from the cath medication. He was joking and saying that he was hungry because he had to fast before the catheterization. Please continue to keep this young man in your prayers.
Mohammed is still awaiting his catheterization. It was tentatively today, but was moved further to Thursday. Tomorrow he will finish being in quarantine, which will make it a little bit easier to schedule him.
The day at Sheba hospital with Mohammed and his mother was really nice. We spoke to some of their relatives who live abroad.
We also talked more about Mohammed’s and his mother’s life in Kurdistan. Mohammed is a very talented singer! I also thought much of the story of how Mohammed and his mother met Jonathan, which then led to their ability to come to Israel for treatment which wouldn’t have otherwise been possible. They said they met on an airplane. I thought of a phrase I’ve heard in Kurdish which means “How beautiful is the work of God,” that these three people happened to be connected by the same flight.
Please continue to pray for Mohammed. We hope the cath will be able to provide more information as to his operability.
Co-worker Julio and I visited Mohammed and his mother this morning at Sheba hospital before he was due to have a cardiac catheterization later in the day. It was a really nice time together especially because Julio speaks fluent Kurdish and both of them really enjoy Julio’s company.
The nurse who admitted Mohammed upon his arrival, was there today and was very kind and caring towards Mohammed. He knew he was fasting for the cath and didn’t know exactly what time it would be, but this nurse said to Mohammed in Arabic that when he is out of the cath, he can eat any and everything he wants.
As it happens, there was no space today for Mohammed to have his cath; it has been postponed until the next catheterization day this week. Mohammed wasn’t at all phased and happily told us that he could eat now. He is good-natured and quite funny! If we weren’t in the hospital, I wouldn’t guess he has a dangerous heart condition.
Mohammed Latif has experienced an ocean of emotions in the past month, from the disappointment of three visa denials to persevering with hope, and finally to the excitement of the granted visa. When we found out that Israel had granted him and his mother visas, we called them directly to share the news. Mohammed immediately said “enshallah,” and quickly walked to his mother who was kneeling on the ground and praying. Later we met with his family in person and rejoiced together.
He is no stranger to hospitals. When he was young, he was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot. He received his first heart surgery in 2009 in Erbil with a visiting cardiac surgical team. In 2013, he was able to receive his second cardiac surgery in Jordan. Later in life, he required more cardiac catheterizations, with the most recent interventional cardiac catheterization in 2020. In 2021, the doctors in Jordan referred him to another country with an advanced cardiac center that could perform a surgery for him. His condition became more and more complex.
His heart condition is very severe. According to one of the Kurdish cardiologists, “he is at risk for sudden death.” His heart is failing and he also suffers from deadly arrhythmias. He has even required five cardioversions in the past to resolve his arrhythmias. Mohammed is receiving many medications to help reduce the high pressures in his lungs and heart, to reduce the fluid overload in his body, and to prevent his heart from beating out of rhythm.
We praise God that he was able to be admitted to the adult cardiac surgery center at Sheba hospital in Israel yesterday. The doctors today performed an echo. We hope that they will discuss his case during their cardiosurgical conferences and decide what is the best course of treatment for him. As we had hope in Iraqi Kurdistan, we also hold onto hope in Israel.
We honestly believe that he was able to travel to Israel by the grace of God. We pray that as we were gifted the grace of God, that we are also able to give and receive grace. Please pray for Mohammed and his mother as they adjust to the hospital. It must be challenging to adapt to a new language, culture, and medical system. Our organization is also adjusting to working with the adult cardiology department, so we pray for these relationships to be built on a foundation of grace.
Mohammed is a different patient compared to the ones we usually see here; he is 33 years old. He has had two previous surgeries to help his heart defect, but as he grows older, his condition has worsened, and he is in heart failure. The doctors at Sheba hospital in Israel have agreed to receive him for a risky surgery, which could be the last chance to save his life.
Mohammed has been in and out of hospital in Kurdistan, sometimes needing draining procedures for the fluid in his stomach. He has had to give up his work, and this is the hope for his family that he will be able to have healing in Israel.
For months, there has been difficult and strong communications with the Israeli interior ministry, as we worked consistently to get a visa for Mohammed, who is no longer a child. Thankfully, they made the exception and granted this man and his mother their visas and their permissions to enter Israel.
On the day they were due to travel two weeks ago, Mohammed tested positive for corona virus and their trip was therefore delayed again. All the timings are in the hands of God, and so according to His plan, today was the day for Mohammed and his mother to arrive to Israel.
They went immediately to the hospital upon arrival, and experienced the care of the Israelis, thoroughly carrying out their full assessments to ensure Mohammed has the best quality care they can give, as they faithfully do with every patient.
We will know more about the plan for surgery for Mohammed as the week continues. Please pray for peace as he and his mother settle into this unfamiliar country and negotiate this highly stressful situation. Please also pray over Mohammed’s surgery and health, asking for God’s best for his life.
