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WE HAVE KIDS IN SURGERY RIGHT NOW! THROUGH THESE STORIES WE'RE INVITING YOU TO BE A PART OF THE NEXT LIFESAVING SOLUTION. GET TO KNOW THESE KIDS & PLEASE GIVE WHAT YOU CAN FOR THE NEXT GROUP! |
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Three Kids Headed Home with Happy, Healthy Hearts
March 10, 2010 by Jeremy · Leave a Comment
This doesn’t look like the happiest group of people, but trust us, they are! It was 6 a.m. at an airport! Few are happy in that context!
It’s been a great journey for Muhammed, Baroof, and Sozyar. Both Muhammed and Sozyar were “urgent.” It was unclear whether Muhammed or Baroof would even be operable. And look at them today!
In our talks today with Dr. Resmiye at the Anadolu Medical Center she used words like “miracle” and “unbelievable” and “they won their lives back” to describe these kids.
Usually we try to keep a healthy balance of the “miraculous” and that which can be reasonable calculated according to the medical numbers. It’s hard to build a budget around miracles! But we are thrilled to celebrate GOD’s kindness in the lives of these children alongside the Turkish doctors who, themselves, have said that it is GOD’s doing and not just their own.
By the time this posts, Muhammed, Baroof, and Sozyar will be resting at home - in the city or the village - with their daddies and extended families who have been missing them so much.
As much as the surgery at this point, the fact that you’ve paid for round trip airfare through our partnership with Atlasjet Airlines for these kids is a great source of comfort, because healing means precious little when it separates you from the ones you love the most!
These children are now enrolled in the Preemptive Love Followthrough program. We’ll track their progress as Baroof goes back to school and Muhammed and Sozyar learn how to walk, and we’ll offer a number of services to them for the next six months (and often, much longer).
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Followthrough Program
With our Followthrough program we monitor a child’s healing and re-entry into their home culture, teach the importance of activity and a balanced diet, and address issues like racism and other radical ideologies. This amount represents the costs of medications, special needs, teaching materials, etc.
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Follow baby Sozyar on Twitter: @SozyarHamdan. Subscribe to Sozyar’s updates via RSS HERE. Follow Sozyar’s thread of longer stories (with pictures & video) on the PLC blog HERE.
Follow Baroof on Twitter: @BaroofAbdul. Subscribe to Baroof’s updates via RSS HERE. Follow Baroof’s thread of longer stories (with pictures & video) on the PLC blog HERE.
Follow Muhammed Adnan on Twitter: @MuhammedAdnan. Subscribe to Muhammed’s updates via RSS HERE. Follow Muhammed’s thread of longer stories (with pictures & video) on the PLC blog HERE.
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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. |
Muhammed Resting, Intubated in ICU After ‘Total Correction’
February 26, 2010 by Jeremy · Leave a Comment
The words “total correction” bring a great deal of joy to our ears every time we hear them! The doctors here have repeatedly found highly complex cases unlike anything they see elsewhere in the world when working on our kids from Iraq. So every total correction is that much more exciting!
But as we’ve said before, Muhammed was rushed to us due to his extremely high pulmonary pressures. Things seem to be under control right now in ICU, but these things have a propensity for going south quickly. Please keep Muhammed, his mother in Istanbul, and his anxious father in Iraq in your prayers.
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Isn’t it amazing to watch life-saving in progress? We are able to do this because people like you give $10, $25, and $50 - or whatever they could - to impact the future of kids in Iraq. |
Follow Muhammed Adnan on Twitter: @MuhammedAdnan. Subscribe to Muhammed’s updates via RSS HERE. Follow Muhammed’s thread of longer stories (with pictures & video) on the PLC blog HERE.
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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. |
Total Correction for Muhammed!
February 25, 2010 by Jeremy · Leave a Comment
Doctors accomplished the total correction they were hoping for with Muhammed. But he came to us with extremely high pulmonary pressure (in his lungs) so the coming days in ICU will be incredibly important.
Special thanks to Erica Fischer of EMF Images for partnering with us to save Muhammed’s life. At the suggestion of EMF’s Erica Fischer, Cameron and Ben (left) donated the sitting fee for their engagement pictures to the Preemptive Love Coalition to help fund Muhammed’s surgery. This ongoing partnership with EMF promises to save a lot of lives in Iraq and engage the hearts of many who thought they were just signing up for EMF’s great photography!
We know there are hundreds of you out there doing amazing stuff like this to save lives. Sometimes we just don’t know what you’re up to! Contact us.
Follow Muhammed Adnan on Twitter: @MuhammedAdnan. Subscribe to Muhammed’s updates via RSS HERE. Follow Muhammed’s thread of longer stories (with pictures & video) on the PLC blog HERE.
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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. |
The Fear in a Mother’s Eyes as Muhammed Goes in to Surgery
February 25, 2010 by Jeremy · Leave a Comment
Both baby Muhammed and his dear mother looked pretty concerned as Muhammed went into surgery… the first of this February group.
Going first is a blessing and a curse. There is always a lot of tension among the mothers until that first child comes out of surgery… and then out of ICU. On the other hand, there is a lot of tension seeing other children go before yours into surgery and there is always this lingering suspicion that the goodwill will run out before the doctors get around to helping my child.
So Muhammed drew the first straw with all its attendant excitement at this healing that has been so long-delayed and all the anxiety at the dangers after hours of serious conversations with medical professionals about the course of treatment and very real risks associated with these difficult surgeries.
There will be more information on Muhammed in a few hours.
Follow Muhammed Adnan on Twitter: @MuhammedAdnan. Subscribe to Muhammed’s updates via RSS HERE. Follow Muhammed’s thread of longer stories (with pictures & video) on the PLC blog HERE.
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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. |
Muhammed Resting & Smiling in His Room Waiting for Surgery
February 25, 2010 by Jeremy · Leave a Comment
Muhammed is full of sweet smiles waiting for surgery. More information about timing and his condition forthcoming….
Follow Muhammed Adnan on Twitter: @MuhammedAdnan. Subscribe to Muhammed’s updates via RSS HERE. Follow Muhammed’s thread of longer stories (with pictures & video) on the PLC blog HERE.
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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. |
Meet Muhammed (Twitter: @MuhammedAdnan)
February 24, 2010 by Jeremy · Leave a Comment
Muhammed’s presence in our life is a testament to the way the Preemptive Love Family Services Team has lived out our Core Values - namely, our pursuit of excellence (or constant improvement) and the way we seek to provide whole solutions for whole people. But all that sounds a little vague, so let me break it down…
In February 2009 a Kurdish soldier knocked on the door of our office. Though I hadn’t done anything wrong, I was sure I was about to be hauled in to give an account for something ridiculous. Thankfully, I was wrong. His name was Hywa and his daughter needed a life-saving surgery…. very urgently. We fast-tracked his family to surgery, but unfortunately he had already missed the optimal surgery window for his daughter when he first appealed to us. His little baby died in March 2009.
But Hywa and I formed a friendship that was somehow wrapped up in our mutual efforts to save his child’s life. When we put Honyar on that plane to Istanbul there was an initial feeling that we had both succeeded. And as I stayed back with him in Iraq, we cried together, somehow feeling like we had both failed that day she died. Of course, it was not the same grief for me as it was for him, and I would dishonor him to imply otherwise. But we celebrated, mourned, and grew together.
A few months later Hywa referred his friend Sami to us because Sami’s boy Danar was dying from a similar heart defect. We sent Danar to surgery in January 2010 and Danar can be seen doing really well after his surgery in our video of follow-up echos a few days ago.
After Danar returned from surgery, his father, Sami, referred Adnan to us because Adnan’s son is similarly facing death from extremely high pressure in his lungs as a result of two large holes in his heart.
Call it the “butterfly effect” or “serendipity” or “Providence” or a “job well done.” I’m really proud of our Family Services Team and all the work they’ve done to leave a lasting impact on families like Hywa, Sami, and… hopefully… little Muhammed’s family.
Follow Muhammed Adnan on Twitter: @MuhammedAdnan. Subscribe to Muhammed’s updates via RSS HERE. Follow Muhammed’s thread of longer stories (with pictures & video) on the PLC blog HERE.
*In accordance with PLC’s desire to lend a hand-up by avoiding strict hand-outs (when possible), Muhammed’s family told us they would sell their car to help their son and ultimately gave $6,500 towards PLC’s highly-discounted surgery prices.
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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. |
Mohammed Wide Awake and Well in ICU
January 14, 2010 by Jeremy · Leave a Comment
No news is great news when your baby is resting in ICU. We don’t have much new to report, but it’s great to see Mohammed awake and doing well in ICU today. Hopefully tomorrow could bring extubation… This slow, steady progress is great!
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Isn’t it amazing to watch life-saving in progress? We are able to do this because thousands of people like you have given $10, $25, and $50 - or whatever they could - to impact the future of kids in Iraq. |
Follow Mohammed on Twitter: @MohammedUmed. Subscribe to Mohammed’s updates via RSS HERE. Follow Mohammed’s thread of longer stories (with pictures & video) on the PLC blog HERE.
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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. |
Mohammed’s Surgery Great Success; No More Blue Baby; All is Pink!
January 13, 2010 by Jeremy · Leave a Comment
Mohammed’s surgery was a great success. He is resting in ICU (intubated). And most importantly, his skin is no longer blue from lack of oxygenation. He is PINK for the first time in his life!
Dad is happy and thankful in Iraq. Mom’s fears and worries are considerably eased tonight as she lays down to rest. Extubation might happen in the next day or two. But as we’ve seen this week, all celebrations are tentative until that critical threshold.
More to come… thanks for the impact you’ve made this week!
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Isn’t it amazing to watch life-saving in progress? We are able to do this because thousands of people like you have given $10, $25, and $50 - or whatever they could - to impact the future of kids in Iraq. |
Follow Mohammed on Twitter: @MohammedUmed. Subscribe to Mohammed’s updates via RSS HERE. Follow Mohammed’s thread of longer stories (with pictures & video) on the PLC blog HERE.
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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. |
Mohammed Goes to Surgery After Days Fighting Fever
January 13, 2010 by Jeremy · Leave a Comment
After days waiting, watching, and being anxious about her son’s well being, Mohammed’s mom is relieved to finally send him off to surgery. It’s been a rough week in Istanbul - mixed with joy and sorrow - so we know that that her anxieties are heightened as she hands him over to foreign nurses and doctors.
But this surgery is the strongest chance Mohammed will ever have at living a healthy life. And that’s why the hospital is such fertile ground for peacemaking and changing the way we think about each other. As these Turkish nurses and doctors love her family, it’s not just Mohammed’s heart that is changed; it’s her heart and her family’s collective worldview that is affected as well - giving a real chance at mitigating some of the hatred that between Turks and Kurds after decades of active struggle.
Mohammed is headed to surgery right now… more to come.
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Isn’t it amazing to watch life-saving in progress? We are able to do this because thousands of people like you have given $10, $25, and $50 - or whatever they could - to impact the future of kids in Iraq. |
Follow Mohammed on Twitter: @MohammedUmed. Subscribe to Mohammed’s updates via RSS HERE. Follow Mohammed’s thread of longer stories (with pictures & video) on the PLC blog HERE.
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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. |
Soma Salah Has Passed Away Due to a Blood Clot in Lungs (b. July 24, 2009 - d. January 10, 2010)
January 11, 2010 by Jeremy · Leave a Comment
It’s with a heavy heart that I write today to say that Baby Soma passed away at 11:45 p.m., Sunday, January 10th, 2010. I had just gotten off the phone with the church in Texas that funded her surgery and given them the update about her serious condition, while thanking them for taking a risk on her surgery. I didn’t know it at the time, but as they finished their lunch in Texas, Soma’s life was on the line in Istanbul.
It was a blood clot in her lungs - something for which the ECMO machine couldn’t compensate. The surgeons left the comfort of their homes and families in the middle of the night to respond but there was nothing to be done.
Last week I said that the Preemptive Love Coalition was not a heart surgery organization, as though chalking up another heart surgery was of some importance. I said we were a HOPE BANK where parents come for hope transfusions - a global family alongside whom Iraqi families could stand in the face of hopelessness, and finally see light at the end of the dark night. And I said that it was for long-term impact that we had decided to take the risk on Soma’s surgery.
So how should we understand our decision today? Did we make the right choice? Did we hasten her death? Was it worth it? Was it a failure? Are we complicit?
Everyone will judge us by their own criterion. Indeed, our own answers and emotions have run the gammut this week. This was a huge surprise for us. We had braced ourselves for long-term loss. We were entirely unprepared for loss in the short-term (even though the doctors had only offered a sobering 65% chance of her surviving ICU).
From an organizational stand point, I owe you an answer as to whether or not we count this as a success or failure so you know what to expect from us in the future.
1. This is a failure. We don’t exist for heart surgeries. We exist to impact the children who are most “impactable” for the long-term. In fact, we turn many children away because their long-term well-being is best served by non-surgical solutions. All other things being equal (and they never are), we would use our limited resources to offer surgery to a child who is most likely to be alive with a healthy heart in sixty years before we help a child who will be hanging on by a thread with a dying heart at twenty. In that sense, we invested our money in a bit of a gamble with Soma because we knew that there were other kids back in Iraq who were more highly “impactable.” It would be easy to argue that we didn’t make it past good intentions this time and that this was an “impact fail.” We welcome that critique. And if that is how you’d like your money invested, we are here to put your money to work. At the same time…
2. This is a success. The Preemptive Love Coalition consistently offers hope, help, and life-saving heart surgeries to children that have been rejected by one or more of the other options available to them. Whether it is a question of resource allocation, ethical priorities, or surgical skill, many of the lives we have successfully saved have been turned down by the government, local, or international groups - including Kadeeja, Heran, and Ahmed . We were - as far as anyone knew - their last chance; their last hope. Soma was one of these.
We spoke seriously with Soma’s parents about the risks. In the end, it was not really the Preemptive Love Coalition who decided to do the surgery. What we did was give them the green light to use our funds and choose for themselves. They chose to risk it and in that limited sense, we gave the family what they asked for - a chance at life. And that chance - that hope - is precisely what they had not found in any other government, hospital, or organization. We told them We love you. You matter to us and to God.. From the hope perspective; from the love perspective, this was not a failure. We chose to love; and love deeply.
3. Still, this is a wake up call. We have asked you a number of times what kind of organization you would have us be. Your overwhelming answer is that you’d like us to be people of the last chance. Some families in Iraq are unnervingly content to sit by and deny their children are dying. We’ve seen it a number of times. It defies all reason. But many more are ready to risk it all for a chance to see their 7 month old learn to crawl, go to school, and marry someday. For those families, you’ve declared your intention to stand by their side. And we have used your financial gifts to fulfill your wishes.
Soma stands as a monument of hope for other Last Chance Children. We don’t have to burry her story with her body for fear that it will reflect negatively on our work; for fear that fewer Iraqi children will be helped because of the “bad press.” To us, this isn’t bad press. This is love in motion.
Jon Foreman sings, “If it doesn’t break your heart it isn’t love.”
This is a wake up call because there are going to be more little babies like Soma that break our hearts. Brace yourselves. If you’re in this for the long haul with us, we can promise you:
- 1. We will give it everything we have and we will give families HOPE and a shot at life.
- 2. We will see more death.
- 3. We will love until we bleed out and have nothing left.
With you,
Jeremy Courtney
Executive Director
jeremy [at] preemptivelove.org
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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. |
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