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Aras Leaves Snowy Jordan

January 31, 2008 by Jeremy · 428 Comments 

 

As I pulled up to the Shevet house, Aras, Hardi, and Dilshad dashed through the newly fallen snow with unrestraint. Once they were all piled in the van, their destination was the Al Aqsa mosque where each family spent some time in prayer. Then it was time for lunch before saying final goodbyes and heading for Jordan.

 

During the two hour drive, the boys practiced the many English words they learned during their stay. Aras and Hardi amazed me with their newfound skill of counting to 100 and pointing to parts of their face, saying “nose, mouth, ears”….. they now were showing off and we all began to laugh!

Jeremy Courtney lives and loves in Iraq as a co-founder and Executive Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He's also the father of two spectacular children, and married to the lovely Jessica Courtney. When not absorbed in PLC work he can be found writing songs and singing about hope and future. Follow Jeremy on Twitter: @JCourt.

Waiting

January 26, 2008 by Jeremy · Leave a Comment 

No one likes to wait- especially when you’re 2 and 3 years old and undergoing medical tests! However- in this case it will all pay off well in the end! Aria and Rebar are currently in Jerusalem in the care of our partner organization while they wait their turns for heart surgery in the coming weeks. They have both completed the preliminary tests of blood work and echocardiograms (an ultrasound view of the heart) necessary for their upcoming heart surgeries. Extra time was spent on Aria’s echocardiogram as there are several problems with his heart and doctors expect his surgery to be more complicated.  Despite all the “annoyances” they have endured these past weeks, both boys are full of smiles and winning the hearts of the local staff.

Jeremy Courtney lives and loves in Iraq as a co-founder and Executive Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He's also the father of two spectacular children, and married to the lovely Jessica Courtney. When not absorbed in PLC work he can be found writing songs and singing about hope and future. Follow Jeremy on Twitter: @JCourt.

Do Not Disturb

January 24, 2008 by Jeremy · Leave a Comment 

I went to visit Arya but was stopped because of a midday siesta. I was informed that he needed his beauty sleep to maintain his image in the house as the quiet, smiling, happy child. His mother comments that when he is awake, he likes to crawl very fast, then sits up and smiles a lot!

Arya still awaits a surgery date, but until then he is content to spend his days at the Save A Child’s Heart house, with so much crawling and smiling, he tires out quickly. So please, obey the “Do Not Disturb” sign hanging on his door!

Jeremy Courtney lives and loves in Iraq as a co-founder and Executive Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He's also the father of two spectacular children, and married to the lovely Jessica Courtney. When not absorbed in PLC work he can be found writing songs and singing about hope and future. Follow Jeremy on Twitter: @JCourt.

Aras heading home after successful surgery!

January 23, 2008 by Jeremy · Leave a Comment 

On January 3rd Aras received heart surgery and has been succesfully healing and recovering since then. He has now been given a clean bill of health and was released from the hospital in Jordan on January 21st. He and his mother will be returning to their home in Iraq to begin a new phase of life- free from worry about Aras’s heart. We’re really excited to welcome him back to Iraq and to watch how much more he can enjoy life now!

Delshad is also recovering from his heart surgey that took place on December 30th. Due to some further problems he had to undergo a second surgery on January 3rd. This took quite the emotional toll on Delshad’s mother who has been at his side every step of the way. Delshad has shown great improvement however after both surgeries, giving his mother much hope! Delshad will receive his last echocardiogram on Thursday, January 24th and hopefully be released after that!

Jeremy Courtney lives and loves in Iraq as a co-founder and Executive Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He's also the father of two spectacular children, and married to the lovely Jessica Courtney. When not absorbed in PLC work he can be found writing songs and singing about hope and future. Follow Jeremy on Twitter: @JCourt.

A Clean Bill of Health, Free to Go Home

January 21, 2008 by Jeremy · 471 Comments 

Aras has been discharged from the hospital as he continues strengthening after his open-heart surgery. His heart is doing so well that doctors today gave Aras a clean bill of health and the green light to go home to Iraq and a bright new future!

Jeremy Courtney lives and loves in Iraq as a co-founder and Executive Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He's also the father of two spectacular children, and married to the lovely Jessica Courtney. When not absorbed in PLC work he can be found writing songs and singing about hope and future. Follow Jeremy on Twitter: @JCourt.

Hussein Leaves Jordan

January 13, 2008 by Jeremy · 620 Comments 

After several weeks of follow-up echos for Hussein,he was dismissed from Wolfson today to begin their joyful return to their homes and families. He came here as an urgent case, and is going home with new hope for a life and a future. Not only does this show on his face, but it also shows on the face of his grateful mother. Really, everything about their lives has changed with this opportunity to come to Jordan for the heart surgery they needed.
The return to Iraq began with saying goodbye at the Save A Child’s Heart house. Although the picture may look chaotic, the reality on the ground was that all of the women wanted to say goodbye to these three mothers and children who had reached the goal – well enough to go home at last! Hugs and tears were everywhere among us.

Jeremy Courtney lives and loves in Iraq as a co-founder and Executive Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He's also the father of two spectacular children, and married to the lovely Jessica Courtney. When not absorbed in PLC work he can be found writing songs and singing about hope and future. Follow Jeremy on Twitter: @JCourt.

Arya Waits

January 10, 2008 by Jeremy · 849 Comments 

While Juliana and Baveel have each gone to the hospital for their recent procedures this week, Arya and his mother have been here with us in Jerusalem. They spend their days doing household chores and playing. And I am certain Arya’s mother wonders when it will be her son’s turn to go for his needed heart repair. Tenatively they are scheduled to move to the Save A Child’s Heart house on Sunday, where they will be closer to the hospital when Arya’s turn arrives.

Jeremy Courtney lives and loves in Iraq as a co-founder and Executive Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He's also the father of two spectacular children, and married to the lovely Jessica Courtney. When not absorbed in PLC work he can be found writing songs and singing about hope and future. Follow Jeremy on Twitter: @JCourt.

Full of Life and Joy

January 10, 2008 by Jeremy · Leave a Comment 

Hussein was in the hospital today for what is likely to be his last echo. I didn’t expect to see him and his mother, but it was a pleasant surprise. Hussein was delightedly watching himself in the hallway mirror while I talked with his mother. We hope to be able to take Hussein and his mother, along with 2 other kids and their mothers, to the border on Sunday, on their way back home. Hussein has been away from Iraq since arriving in Amman in early October for the echocardiogram screening there. I look forward to seeing them off. Keep praying for them as we prepare for this happy day.

Jeremy Courtney lives and loves in Iraq as a co-founder and Executive Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He's also the father of two spectacular children, and married to the lovely Jessica Courtney. When not absorbed in PLC work he can be found writing songs and singing about hope and future. Follow Jeremy on Twitter: @JCourt.

Shy Yet Brave In Initial Tests

January 6, 2008 by Jeremy · 1 Comment 

A shy Tarza and her mother began the admissions process today for her heart surgery. Even though she is beginning to warm up to those of us on staff, she is still very quiet and shy. Because of this, I rather expected her to be fearful of the tests which had to be done today prior to her admission. What a surprise that she was such a trooper when it came her turn for the dreaded blood test!  She only made a small whimper when the needle was inserted, and was very brave the rest of the time for every test.

The doctor found in the echo that Tarza has an ASD, which can be repaired by a simple and short heart surgery (relatively speaking of course!) It is hoped that her surgery can be scheduled soon, and after the surgical team meets on Sunday we should have a better idea about just how soon. Naturally all of us hope they do not have to endure a long wait to get the treatment they came for.

On Sunday Tarza and her mother will return to the hospital to be checked after the standard test for tuberculosis.  One father was a great help to them and us at the hospital by translating and explaining what to expect, and another father has been a great help here at the house.

Jeremy Courtney lives and loves in Iraq as a co-founder and Executive Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He's also the father of two spectacular children, and married to the lovely Jessica Courtney. When not absorbed in PLC work he can be found writing songs and singing about hope and future. Follow Jeremy on Twitter: @JCourt.

Aras has a virus

January 6, 2008 by Jeremy · 169 Comments 

 

Aras moved out of ICU today,  he was watching basketball in the corner bed of the intermediate ICU ward, with his mother at his side. He was not doing much eating, she told us, and it was clear he was still not back to his usual “chipper” attitude yet. He did perk up a bit when he learned that his new friend Hardi was now being admitted for surgery. After Hardi’s pre-op necessities, he came down to visit Aras. He and Baveel, as well as all of the mothers who just arrived last week, had been asking about him.

 

Aras was glad to see Hardi and they talked a little while, as did their mothers. They were glad their boys were going to have surgery within a few days of each other.

 

Aras was moved to another ward today. He began throwing up this morning from a virus, and was still not eating. I saw his mother in the hall, and followed her down the hallways until we found Aras’ new room. He was very subdued, and was on an IV for fluids. His mother was worried, but thankful that he was ok. 

Jeremy Courtney lives and loves in Iraq as a co-founder and Executive Director of the Preemptive Love Coalition. He's also the father of two spectacular children, and married to the lovely Jessica Courtney. When not absorbed in PLC work he can be found writing songs and singing about hope and future. Follow Jeremy on Twitter: @JCourt.

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