She was blue. Well, she was beyond blue actually—purple. We started the day with a little purple baby thrust into our arms. “She doesn’t look very well.” That might be the understatement of the year. Umalbanen was admitted immediately, and examined to see just what was going on. The verdict? She was hours from death. …
“What is my greatest dream for my daughter? With a little laugh, Sima replied, “To be human, of course.” There is nothing I want for Tarane, nothing more important in life than to show kindness to others, for her to treat the world with understanding and respect. That is what being fully human means.” Her …
“You’re beautiful,” Aylin’s mother sings to her. “We love you Aylin, the world is so beautiful with you in it.” Aylin or “Ducky” as we call her, fought for her life from the day she was born, but she doesn’t have much to help her fight. Her mother whispers and sings to her, all six …
Stories from Iran – After Lifesaving Surgery, Aylin’s Parents Dream About Her Future Read More »
Libya. Wednesday, 5:57 pm. ICU. We’ve dimmed most of the lights, so the patients can sleep more easily. Sleep is valuable medicine. Rouana’s mom sits beside her, gently cleaning tape scum off of her face with a damp piece of gauze, then feeding her a bottle. She talks in a soft voice, tipping her head …
Ali is getting so big! We met Ali for the first time last November, when he received heart surgery near his home in Libya. Ali had a rough recovery. He was so sick, there were days we wondered if he’d survive. But Ali did survive, and he continues to grow. One of the bonuses of …
There is a bed in the ICU that has developed a special function over the last few surgical missions. It’s tucked in the back corner and quiet—it’s for resting and growing. It’s a bit like a greenhouse nursery for healing babies. Open heart surgery can be traumatic for little bodies. We see some children bounce …
Saleh before surgery, happy to be in his father’s arms. Saleh, the morning after his open heart surgery: sitting up straight in bed, demanding water. Yelling, actually. At the end of his bed: a stash of treasures his parents brought, including packs of stickers, two plastic horns, a kaleidoscope, and a yoyo. Already played with …
“More than 80% of our hospitals are either closed or not functioning properly” – Reida El Oakley, eastern Minister of Health, Libya. “The instability exacerbates an already catastrophic situation. The so-called Islamic State group has established a stronghold around the coastal city of Sirte; a bombing campaign by a coalition of western powers is probable. …
The large room was lined with beds, each a home-base for a mother and her child as their waited their turn to have surgery and graduate out of the ICU. Mothers whiled away their time talking and fussing over their babies. I made my way to Salima’s bed, and sat on the edge beside her …
Salima And The Complexities Of Down Syndrome Babies Read More »
“Where does the blood flow come from? And where does it go?” Dr. Rodriguez paused a moment before repeating “Where does the blood come from, and where does it go?” Dr. Rodriguez was talking as much to himself as he was to the local cardiologists beside him. He carefully studied the illuminated echocardiogram screen, then …
