Saving Lives in Libya: Scenes From the ICU

Saleh, before his open-heart surgery: happy to be in his father’s arms. 

Saleh, the morning after 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 and discarded: yellow sunglasses, a small rubber duck, a superhero ring, a puzzle, a stuffed Mickey Mouse, a bottle of bubbles, and a little stuffed baseball.

Determined to open: a tube of toothpaste to brush his teeth. Demands for water increase.

Attempts to climb out of bed: Three.

Attempts to pull out his chest tube: Also three.

Finally, after much coaxing and several head rubs: a nap.

Saleh is a handful! Hours after his open heart surgery, nothing could make his parents (or us) happier.

Help us provide more lifesaving heart surgeries for kids in Libya! Donate here.