Balsam and her mom came back today for a follow-up echo at Sheba Hospital. She is doing really well and only needs to come again for another follow-up echo in four months.
Even so, Balsam didn’t appreciate the echo and ECG at all, but it went pretty smoothly. Stickers and a balloon helped with that and cheered her up a little. The echo and examination by the doctor didn’t take long, so Balsam and her mom were ready to go back to Gaza really early.
It still took a while until we could bring them back to the border however, so her mom took the time to meet her friends in the hospital. Since Balsam and her mom stayed a long time in hospital when she was younger, some of us volunteers know them pretty well and were all really happy to see them again, including the doctors and nurses in the ICU. Her mom took her to the ICU after her echo was done and suddenly many doctors and nurses were gathered around her to meet this happy little girl again.
Thank God Balsam is doing so well and growing into a healthy little girl.
This morning coworker Luisa and I collected our little Balsam at Erez for her Echo follow-up appointment at Sheba Medical Center. On our way to the hospital we stopped in Ashdod to pick up the rest of the team, but in this time, half of our community ran outside just to see Balsam again. And this should not he the first reunion for today.
In the car she fell asleep and stayed asleep until her actual appointment started. There she cried just a bit, but calmed down very fast, which I am really not used to! She is such a brave child. The appointment was very short, as the doctor had immediately time for us. He told us that everything is fine, that Balsam should come back in three months for another Echo follow-up appointment and he even reduced some of her medication.
As soon as the appointment was over and all the paperwork was done, Balsam’s mother carried her daughter to a nurse to meet her again and she even sneaked inside of the ICU to meet all the nurses and doctors again from the time Balsam had her surgery. Everyone was so pleased to meet her again and wherever Balsam’s mother walked, she spread joy. It was so fun to follow the ways of the mother and see what impact she is having. After some more waiting time and funny chats with other Gaza-mothers it was time for us to leave the hospital and head home.
We had to stop again in Ashdod, where of course again some community-members wanted to see them again, until we started the last part of our way. It was a pleased good-bye and we are looking forward to the next time we will be able to meet adorable Balsam and her joy-spreading mother again.
Please pray for them, to not lose their joy and positivity. Give thanks to the Lord, our God, who provides for them, as the results for our little girl were really good today and as they could meet again a lot of people who helped them getting through a rough time!
Early in the morning , coworker Bria and I picked up little Balsam and her mother from the Gaza border, and brought them to Sheba Hospital for a routine ECG. Thank God, all results were good and it only took a few minutes for Balsam to finish the procedure.
The joy of all the doctors and other volunteers was all the greater to be able to welcome the sugar-sweet child again after two months. After getting Balsam’s milk from the pharmacy, we returned to our community home and rested with a cup of tea in the staff house and Balsam was able to hug her friend ‘Shevie,’ our long-time community dog.
Then we made our way back to the Gaza border. Praise God Balsam is in such good condition.
Earlier this week, we heard that Balsam was hospitalized in Gaza and needed to be transferred to the hospital in Tel Aviv. Today they were granted travel permissions, so early this morning, Bria and I headed to Erez Crossing to pick up Balsam and her mother. I heard from the other volunteers that Balsam was often called a princess, and as soon as I saw her beautiful, sparkling eyes I could tell why. She even had bejeweled shoes to match!
At the hospital, Balsam had an echocardiogram which revealed fluid in the space that surrounds her heart. This makes it even more difficult for her already overworked heart to meet the needs of her body. This is a condition Balsam has struggled with before. Previously, she was prescribed a special kind of baby formula that is supposed to help, but unfortunately it is not available in Gaza, and Balsam’s mother ran out of her supply when she was last at Sheba and was unable to get more. We are praying for a way to solve this problem, so when they go home, Balsam can get the nutrients she needs.
We are grateful that Balsam could come to the Sheba hospital today and get the right care and formula to get her feeling better!
When coworker Hanna and I went to Sheba Hospital today, we heard the happy news that Balsam might be discharged to Gaza today. Together with Balsam and her mother, I went to the pre-discharge echo. Balsam was even smiling through the whole procedure. Balsam’s mother was whispering how hopeful she was that the echo results would be good. And yes, there was only a little bit of fluid remaining so they would be released today! She was so so happy. We danced together out of the room and back to the Secondary ICU.
There I was, standing a while with Balsam on my arm, while her mother packed her stuff. All the nurses came by to hold Balsam a last time, make a picture with her and say goodbye. Balsam’s mother made special relationships in the hospital also. One woman on cleaning staff especially loved Balsam and was smiling at her all the time as she said goodbye. The woman even had a picture of Balsam as a background picture on her phone. It was so cute to see all these people loving Balsam.
Balsam has been very long in the hospital after her heart surgery. The Sheba staff had a lot of time to get to know Balsam.
We volunteers also always enjoyed it to visit beautiful Balsam and her lovely mother. Although it was not always easy for them, because there where many ups and downs with fluid in Balsam’s chest or fever after the surgery.
Still, Balsam’s mother was always so friendly and asked each time how all the girls at Shevet are doing. With people waving goodbye, we left the hospital and were finally on our way to Gaza.
We enjoyed our ride with Arabic music.
All in all we are thankful for time in the hospital. So good to be in a hospital where the staff not only helps the children with treatment, but also truly loves them. With Balsam we could see this love. Thank you to all the staff who made their time so precious. And of course a big thank you to our Lord who made this all possible.
We pray for little Balsam and her mother as they are now reunited with their family. This month we will welcome them back for a follow-up appointment. God bless them!
Today, the doctor at Sheba Hospital, told coworker Lilly and me that finally, for now, all the fluid in Balsam’s chest is gone! We are very happy for her and hope that it’s not coming back.
However, now our little girl has again a fever and the doctors are working to understand why. They want to observe Balsam a little longer to be sure that she is okay; they are waiting for some test results.
In the meantime, we are enjoying our time with Balsam and her funny mother. Lord, I pray that you give Balsam’s mother patience and that she and Balsam can go home soon!
Most of the times, when I ask Balsam’s doctor how she is doing, he just says, “She is cute!” And yes, she is that, and we all love her and her mother.
Today the little girl had an echo and an x-ray at Sheba Medical Center, and when they returned from these appointments, Balsam’s mother joined us while we waited for another child’s cath procedure to be completed. In this time, I had lovely Balsam in my arms and she was smiling a lot.
We are still waiting for the results of the examinations, but if they are good and the fluid is finally gone, our cute girl may be going home soon. Lord I pray that Balsam is finally able to go home and that you bless her and her patiently-waiting mother!
Today I went to Sheba Medical Center to visit little Balsam and her lovely mother. I spent a lot of time with them today, we talked, drank coffee and ate together. I really enjoyed every moment and I am very lucky to know Balsam and her Mother.
While we spent time together, the doctor came to tell us the exciting news that after some time not eating any fat, Balsam can get some milk today. This made everyone happy, especially Balsam’s mother.
The doctor also told me that he is very happy with Balsam’s condition and she just has a very small amount of fluid left in her body.
Please thank the lord and bless these two wonderful people, Balsam and her mom.
Today my coworker Doro and I went to Sheba Medical Center and visited Cute little Balsam and her lovely mother. Right now Balsam is doing good and the fluid in her lungs is decreasing. She still has some fluid in her body and also still can’t eat fat but she’s getting better. The doctors also did an echo today but the results are not here yet.
It’s always a pleasure meeting Balsam and her mother and I enjoy every single moment with them.
Today, coworker Tatiana and I visited Balsam at Sheba Hospital and found her in the arms of her mother. She runs again a fever, and didn’t look very well.
Also Balsam has again a little more fluid in her chest. She has to fast now and only gets food via an IV. The doctors will see if the fluid goes away then. Maybe she would need again a chest drain.
The doctors love beautiful Balsam and she gets a lot of presents. Her mother is patient, loving and caring at Balsam’s side. Balsam’s mother and I also always joke that Balsam is my little sister, so I encouraged my little darling sister today to be strong.
When we visited Balsam today, the nurses were just removing her chest tube. Balsams fluid around her lungs is gone. Sadly, she has a fever now.
Still, we are happy, that she is doing so well, so the chest tube could be removed. She struggled now already some weeks with the fluid. We hope so much for her and her mom that the fever will go away and she can go home soon.
“She’s so beautiful, isn’t she?” Balsam’s doctor said with a smile when coworker Amelie and I stopped by to visit with Balsam and her mother this afternoon. We found Balsam relaxing in quite the arrangement of blankets and toys, and she greeted us with her adorable smile.
The fluid in her chest is slowly decreasing and for now, the doctors do not think more intervention is necessary. They will keep draining the fluid with a chest tube, and meanwhile, they will start feeding her by mouth again. Balsam’s mother is in very good spirits now that her sweet girl is doing so much better. As always, she sent us away with our hands full of snacks and candy.
Today at Sheba Hospital, a new coworker (Doro’s mother) and I visited beautiful Balsam and her lovely mother.
The fluid in her chest is not going away, so the doctors are now trying something else. They stopped the oil she was receiving in her food, and she is fasting lipids now. They have the hope this will help to stop the fluid accumulation because in this fluid there are also lipids.
Each time we meet with Balsam and her mother, it is a happy meeting and Balsam’s mother is always so glad to see us. She loves to talk with us and there is no meeting with her without laughing. Balsam is very active and it’s cute to see how she is trying to “talk.”
Added to that, it is very interesting to see that Balsam really loves to receive the medicine. She wanted to have more of it and was happy when she received it. This is so different, because most of the children hate receiving the drugs.
So let’s pray for blessings over Balsam, that the fluid goes finally away.
When I came to Sheba Medical Center this morning, I surprisingly found out that Balsam was moved back to the ICU. The doctor told me that the fluid she has around her lungs is very persistent and that they have to find a different way to treat it.
Every time is visit Balsam and her mother I really enjoy the time we have together. We always laugh a lot and have a lot of fun. Balsam’s mother is a very funny and lovely woman.
Please pray for Balsam, that she gets better and that the doctors can find the best effective treatment for the fluid around her lungs.
When I visited little Balsam at Sheba Hospital today, I found her moved again to the secondary ICU. Her mom welcomed me with a big smile on her face and directly started to ask me about the other girls working at Shevet. She loves to give us always cookies or other candies and does not accept a no.
It is always funny with Balsam’s mom, and even though we don’t understand each other so well, we laugh a lot together.
Balsam is stable and doing quite well but she still has fluid around her lung and so they will change her chest tube again today.
Let’s pray that Balsam is improving soon and for patience for her lovely mom!
Balsam is doing okay after her catheterization at Sheba Hospital yesterday. The doctors had to replace a chest tube because she has fluid again in her chest. But for the rest, Balsam is stable.
Her mother is very nice. She knows everything that is happening in the ICU and she gladly updates us about the other children from Gaza. She is having a hard time, because she is in the hospital longer then expected, but she also stays positive. I gave her a big hug when I left the room.
Please pray for Balsam and also for strength for her mother.
Beautiful little Balsam had a catheterization today at Sheba hospital. Her mom passed the time during the procedure with other moms from Gaza.
When I saw Balsam just an hour and a half after the cath, she was awake and content. The procedure went well; the doctors dilated an artery and Balsam is recovering well.
Balsam’s mom was not expecting to spend so long in the hospital and while it has been challenging for her, she is still in good spirits and is always sharing snacks with us and asking after all the girls at Shevet.
Our little princess Balsam had an x-ray today at Sheba Hospital. It looks good and the doctor explained that they might take her chest tube out tomorrow. If all works out well, she can go home soon.
When I visited Balsam and her mother today in the Secondary Pediatric ICU, Balsam’s mother was welcoming me in a very happy state, and with a big smile. She is always glad to hear good news for Balsam. She said to me, “When Balsam is doing well, then I’m also doing well!”
We can pray that Balsam will improve fully and that everything works out well so they can go home soon. Thank you for all prayers.
When I visited little Balsam in Sheba Hospital today, she was not doing very well. She is moved back to the Pediatric ICU. The doctors exchanged her chest tube for a slightly bigger one today and did a CT scan. They still wait for the results.
Balsam’s mother is very worried and immediately started crying when I sat next to her. Please pray for her and especially for Balsam, that she gets better soon.
Today in Sheba’s Children’s Hospital, doctors placed a chest tube in Balsam because she has milky fluid around the lungs on the right side. It has to drain and we need to wait for this whole thing to stop.
The doctor explained to me that it could take quite a while – from two weeks to more than a month. So let’s pray that it will go well and faster for little Balsam.
Balsam’s mother is very worried and explained to me that Balsam was crying a lot in the night and that her oxygen went down. Please also pray for Balsam’s mom who is patiently at her side, that she finds comfort and peace.
Our cute little Balsam is still doing well after her surgery at Sheba Hospital. She doesn’t need any oxygen support now and is starting to drink a little milk.
In an echo today, doctors saw there are some narrowed areas in Balsam’s heart. She is receiving medications for it now, but if this doesn’t help, she will need a catheterization. Balsam’s mother hopes that the medicines will improve her condition, so that Balsam doesn’t have to go through the tension of a catheterization. Balsam’s mother is very worried about her. Still she is always happy to see us. She is the sweetest mother. She said to me during the surgery, that she will treat all the volunteers to something sweet if the surgery goes well. So that will happen soon!
Please pray for little Balsam and her sweet mother.
Today I visited little Balsam in the Pediatric ICU of Sheba Medical Center. After her surgery yesterday, Balsam’s condition is good and the doctors were able to extubate her already. Before the surgery, the doctors were a little bit worried because Balsam’s case was challenging, but now they’re quite happy with her condition.
When I entered Balsam’s room today, her mom greeted me with a big smile and I was very happy that I could spend some time with her today. She is a very lovely and intelligent woman.
I’m so thankful that the Lord was with Balsam and protected her during surgery. Please also continue praying for this cute little girl.
When I went to Sheba Hospital to see Balsam’s mother this morning, I spent time with her during Balsam’s operation. I found out that the surgery had been postponed by a few hours.
The goal of the surgery was to switch the great arteries, and the doctors were able to do what they planned to do. Balsam is stable and the doctors were planning to extubate her a few hours after the surgery.
When coworker Amelie and I came to Balsam’s mother while her daughter was in surgery, she was quite upset and nervous. After she found out that everything went well and that Balsam was stable, she was very relieved and happy.
Thank you for your prayers! Praise the LORD for his guidance during the surgery today! Please keep praying for full recovery of Balsam.
Today, coworker Doro and I brought Balsam to Sheba Medical Center for surgery admission. Originally, it was planned that Balsam would already be admitted yesterday, but because another surgery had to take place today, Balsam was admitted only today and will have her surgery tomorrow.
Over the last few days, Balsam and her mother spent time at our community home in Ashdod. It was really nice to spend this time with them and I enjoyed being with both of them.
Please pray for the surgery and the following recovery.
Today, I went with Balsam and her mother early in the morning to Sheba Medical Center for a CT scan for Balsam. Because Balsam wasn’t allowed to eat or drink anything before the CT scan, she was very hungry, but still smiling around at all people.
We didn’t wait long, then everything was already done and Balsam could enjoy her milk. The doctor will take a look at the CT scan before her surgery on Sunday.
During our waiting time, a couple approached us and just said, “Your work is so good. Thank you for helping these people.” I have no idea who this couple was, but it encouraged me very much.
Little Balsam made also so many people smile today. So let’s pray that her surgery on Sunday will go well. And that she will recover fast, so she can smile again at people.
During the festival of Purim, little Balsam was discharged from Sheba Medical Center. These characters come to life were handing out balloons and Purim packages to every child they found in the children’s hospital. Balsam was no exception.
Balsam was to be discharged a few days ago, but was found to have a high fever, which needed to be resolved first. Doctors want to see her again in a month’s time. Until then, God’s blessing go with little Balsam.
Balsam and her mother were both in a good mood when coworker Hanna and I went to visit them today at Sheba Medical Center.
Balsam is a little hesitant to give any smiles whenever we have our masks on, but she eventually warmed up to us.
Due to a high fever, Balsam will remain in Sheba. Thankfully her heart and the rest of her vitals look good. Please be praying that Balsam would overcome the fever, and be able to return to Gaza healthy and happy.
Balsam had a diagnostic catheterization at Sheba Hospital today and it went very well. The doctors were able to see that she has smaller arteries than what is normal and she has a high blood pressure to the lungs. This can make a heart surgery more dangerous and difficult, but the doctors believe she is still a good candidate for her next surgery.
Balsam’s mother was both happy to see Balsam again after the catheterization, and very nervous about the next steps. The date of Balsam’s next surgery is not set yet.
We ask for your prayer for Balsam as she is recovering from the catheterization.
Today, coworkers Willem and Rachel went to the Erez Border Crossing to receive Little Balsam and her mother. Today was echocardiogram day for little Balsam.
Coworker Joanne and I stayed with Balsam and her mother in the Sheba Medical Centre for the procedure. The result from the echo is good so far, but Balsam has to return again in three months for a catheterization. After this, she is going to get another appointment for a surgery.
She is a really beautiful little baby and she really likes to observe the people and the area around her.
Joanne and I returned Balsam and her mother to the border. Please pray for Balsam, that she will be doing well enough to fulfill the cath appointment in three month’s time.
Balsam came in from Gaza today to Sheba Hospital for an appointment with the endocrinologist there. I was very happy to spend some time with cute Balsam and her mother because I already know them from some time ago when Balsam had a long stay at the hospital.
We were very late getting to Balsam’s appointment at the hospital. We weren’t sure if the doctor would still be available. Thankfully, the doctor was very friendly and was still open to examine Balsam.
He thinks Balsam is fine, but the blood test result and urine test will give more clarity about the next steps and treatments through medicine.
The tests were done in the ER today which was interesting. Everything went well and we are now waiting for the results. Praying for good ones.
Today coworker Joanne and I drove to the Erez Border Crossing bringing Balsam and her Mother, because Balsam was discharged today from Sheba Medical Center. She will come back in a month for a follow up.
We were very late and we were a bit afraid that the border would close before we arrived.
At the end, everything came out well and we were happy that they were reunited with Balsam’s family in Gaza again.
Let’s thank God also that Balsam recovered so fast. Thank you for your prayers for this little one.
Today when I went into the Pediatric ICU of Sheba Hospital, I saw the grandmother of Balsam in the room of her beloved granddaughter and another lovely woman had Balsam on her lap. As I went inside, she welcomed me with the same warm-hearted smile that her mother has. I introduced myself and it was really nice to spend some time with the three ladies (tiny Balsam, her mother and her grandmother).
They are really all very happy and such friendly people. Another thing that made our small gathering together even better, is that cute Balsam is extubated now, which is really nice. Balsam’s grandmother is a really lovely woman, definitely willing to take the best care of Balsam that she possibly could. Balsam’s mother is in the hospital now to switch places with Balsam’s grandmother, so Tabea and I took the grandmother back to Gaza today.
By now Balsam’s grandmother is probably reunited with her family and taking rest. I’m looking forward to getting to know Balsam’s lovely mother more and to regularly visit them in the hospital.
Please pray that Balsam is ready for her next needed surgery soon and for her and her mother to adjust well to everything in the hospital now.
Today I visited Balsam at Sheba Children’s Hospital.
When I entered her hospital room, Balsam was looking around with her beautiful dark eyes. She is still intubated, but the doctor told me that Balsam is doing really well after the surgery and they will extubate her tomorrow.
I talked a little with Balsam’s grandmother, and she is happy that Balsam is doing so well. Praise God for a good result after the surgery.
It was a big day for this little girl as she underwent her first surgery at Sheba Children’s hospital; this operation was preparatory for a second and larger surgery to correct her transposed arteries which is planned for her future.
Please pray the Lord will bless and keep little Balsam, because the time in between these two surgeries can sometimes be difficult.
We are also hoping for her mother can travel from Gaza to be able to change with her grandmother for the guardianship; her grandma has said that her mum is really longing to be with Balsam, and especially in the recovery period it will be good for her mother to be there.
Co-worker Rachel and I went to the Erez Border Crossing yesterday to collect this cute little baby girl Balsam, together with her grandmother.
Balsam is two and a half months old and diagnosed with TGA and other severe heart problems. Today she was brought to Sheba Medical Center for an echo and other tests.
During the echo, she was very calm and cried just a bit, but her grandmother was sitting next to her and gave her a bottle of milk, which calmed her down really quickly.
Balsam was admitted to the hospital and needs to have a CT scan in the next days and other tests in order to help her with her treatment.
During the admission process, her oxygen dropped very low at some point, so thank God she was in the hospital and they took care of her in the best way they could, and now she is doing better.
Your prayers for this little girl and her grandmother are much appreciated. Balsam’s grandmother herself is having some issues with her health and it is difficult for her to take care of Balsam but she is doing a very good job with it.
Please pray for the doctors’ plan of treatment for this baby girl and for her grandmother too.
Balsam and her mom came back today for a follow-up echo at Sheba Hospital. She is doing really well and only needs to come again for another follow-up echo in four months.
Even so, Balsam didn’t appreciate the echo and ECG at all, but it went pretty smoothly. Stickers and a balloon helped with that and cheered her up a little. The echo and examination by the doctor didn’t take long, so Balsam and her mom were ready to go back to Gaza really early.
It still took a while until we could bring them back to the border however, so her mom took the time to meet her friends in the hospital. Since Balsam and her mom stayed a long time in hospital when she was younger, some of us volunteers know them pretty well and were all really happy to see them again, including the doctors and nurses in the ICU. Her mom took her to the ICU after her echo was done and suddenly many doctors and nurses were gathered around her to meet this happy little girl again.
