We just wanted to write and catch you up on the “happenings” of Noora and Afef over the past few weeks since we last wrote.
First and foremost on the medical side, after seeing Dr. John Atwood (the plastic surgeon involved in the project), the decision has been made to go forward with a tissue expansion procedure, which involves implanting 1-2 balloons under healthy portions of Noora’s scalp. Weekly (for approximately 6 weeks), Dr. Atwood will be injecting saline into the balloon, stretching and creating enough new skin (with hair follicles) to be able to use it for grafting over her new prosthetic skull.
Could it be only a little over a week since Rusul entered our lives? Hard to believe. In that short amount of time, she’s made some new and dear friends, learned some English, had her foot amputated, been discharged from the hospital, and is now walking with a walker! And our dear friend, Abu Ali, her father, feels comfortable and welcome again in his “home away from home”.
But so much more has happened in the short time since Rusul’s been here. She’s taught me so much; not only a few more words in Arabic and that she loves french fries and ketchup to an alarming degree, but she’s reminded me to be more appreciative.
She’s taught me that the focus should be on the positive ending, not the struggle along the way. Having “your foot chopped off” can be a GOOD thing because it means walking better and getting to go to school!
Good news! Mustafa and his father have their visa appointment set for July 29th at the US Embassy in Amman, Jordan. Within about three weeks of that appointment (mid to late August!), Mustafa should be in Portland. Mustafa’s first evaluation appointment at Shriner’s is set for August 27th. He and his father will be staying at the Ronald McDonald House at OHSU. We are still working out arrangements for evaluation and treatment of Mustafa’s abdominal injuries.
We are so excited to meet Mustafa and his father and to shower them with a warm and loving Portland welcome.
To begin getting us ready, Geri and David told their 3rd, 4th and 5th graders about Mustafa and the students decorated beautiful posters that they will bring to the Portland airport to welcome Mustafa. The students also created great colorful pictures for Mustafa to hang in his room and an alphabet book with terrific pictures representing the letters of the alphabet. Channel 8 had a photographer at Geri and David’s classes getting footage of the students drawing this amazing art—footage they intend to incorporate into their coverage of Mustafa.
We’ve had a moment to catch our breaths and wanted to send out a quick update to let those of you, who haven’t heard, know that Nora and Afef arrived in Portland on Thursday afternoon without a hitch and have been quickly and fluidly adjusting to their new home at the Ronald McDonald House. Nora is absolutely delightful, full of energy and an abundance of smiles. She is constantly engaging us in Arabic, no doubt with hopes that if she just keeps speaking we are bound to eventually understand her language! Afef (a delight himself!) actually speaks quite a bit of English and has made significant improvements even in the past couple of days.
When my own daughter Sara was 7, we went to the pet shop for a filter for the goldfish bowl. While we were there, we encountered a blue-eyed baby Springer Spaniel puppy for sale. Not what we came for. This was a hard time in our family’s life. Sara never said a word, but she looked at me in a certain way, you might be able to imagine it. “I know,” her eyes seemed to say, “It’s too much to hope for.” We took the puppy home that day. So many things are said by not saying them. I’m coming to think, more and more, that we give words way too much credit, and sometimes they just get in the way.
I couldn’t digest my food Monday night; it sat in my stomach, even though I ordered the lightest of vegan meals from the noodle place menu. It had nothing to do with the food. My spinach pancake was excellent. I loved it. I adored it. I am so glad I ordered it. It was affordable, too. I will get it again next time. My stomach was uncomfortable about something else, and it was letting me know.
During dinner, behind a backdrop of street music and a crying baby, I tried to reach Abu Ali to let him know Ken and I wished to visit that night, but all I could get was voice mail. Ann Cothran, National Community Coordinator for No More Victims, had given me his direct number.
Thanks to all who came to last Sunday’s potluck at Laurelhurst Park — it was a great gathering!
Good news! Mustafa and his father have their visa appointment set for July 29th at the US Embassy in Amman, Jordan. Within about three weeks of that appointment (That’s mid to late August!), Mustafa should be in Portland. We have contacted Shriner’s Hospital and asked them to re-schedule Mustafa’s first evaluation appointment for the 3rd week in August. There are unpredictable things in the visa process, so we have to all be patient with any delays. We will definitely keep the updates coming as we know of more details.
We are so excited to meet Mustafa and his father and to shower them with a warm and loving Portland welcome.
Her dress billowed, circling her like a flower’s petals as she spun in the sun. She laughed and sang, then broke into giggles of pure joy.
Suddenly stopping, she turned to me. Her gorgeous dark eyes with the long, curling lashes became moist with sorrow as she began to walk away in her proud and independent way that almost hides the struggle.
“Good-bye, Ann. I love and miss you, Ann,” she called over her shoulder as she reached the sidewalk. She turned and sadly waved one last time, then lifted her right arm high and in a firm, clear voice, called “TAXI! TAXI!”
I ran to the sidewalk and scooped her up and she became a rag doll, overcome with giggles.
This was Rusul, the drama queen, the child of joy and laughter, yesterday in front of her temporary new home at the Ronald McDonald House. Play-acting, having fun, being silly. Being a child.
Hi Everyone!
Could it be only a little over a week since Rusul entered our lives? Hard to believe. In that short amount of time, she’s made some new and dear friends, learned some English, had her foot amputated, been discharged from the hospital, and is now walking with a walker! And our dear friend, Abu Ali, her father, feels comfortable and welcome again in his “home away from home”.
