To all of our total surprise and gratitude, the amazing prosthetists at Shriners WERE able to make a leg for Mustafa. There were tears and smiles and lots of encouragement as Mustafa put on his leg and took several steps. Pictures will come. There is much learning involved for him to successfully use such a full leg and hip prosthesis, BUT we all thought it couldn’t be done. Mustafa is incredibly athletic and determined, so this good news is very encouraging!!

He will do lots of intensive PT for the next 2 weeks, then, in early December, he and Ahmed will be returning home to their family in Iraq, whom they miss terribly. Watch here for announcements about good-bye activities and appreciation gatherings for all of Mustafa’s medical providers, interpreters and the staff at Ronald McDonald House. Mustafa and Ahmed will definitely leave a deep impression in our hearts and they will take our loving friendship with them when they go.  More updates of their departure plans in a few days or so.

Watch for news coverage of the prosthetic leg and the great work of Shriners Hospital in the coming days.

Apologies that it has been a while since an update on the general status of Mustafa’s health and treatment. The days have been busy.

Last week we learned a lot in several appointments. Here’s the summary: Kidney and bladder function– Mustafa’s right (now only) kidney is working well. That is great news. It will be important to preserve the function of that kidney — i.e., preventing infection and keeping his bladder empty on a regular schedule. The injury caused a loss of much of the nerve impulses that make the bladder work. So, in order to keep the bladder emptying adequately, Mustafa requires catheterization every 4 hours. It is not a fun thing, but both Mustafa and Ahmed are adjusting to this routine in an amazing and dignified way. Much of Mustafa’s pain (and the fever)at the start of their time here was due to the bladder/kidney situation. It is so wonderful to report that he is now pain and infection free!

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Look at this!!!!!  PT and OT started working with Mustafa today. Mustafa got his own walker as the first step in the process of a prosthesis or whatever will be done to help him walk. He worked very hard, but notice the “thumbs up” sign! Geri (and, of course, Ahmed) were with him at this amazing moment. Geri’s words and pictures below say it all!!

Mustafa MAY get discharged tomorrow or Thursday–back to Ronald McDonald House to heal for a week or so, then to start at Shriners.

We want to start thinking about next steps such as community gatherings (potlucks, etc.), ongoing needs and ways people can help/be involved, press (they have a story that MUST be heard), school and youth involvement, outings, fundraising, etc. Send all ideas our way and we will talk with Ahmed, see when Mustafa is strong enough to start getting out, and start planning onward.

Best to all.
Happy Rosh Hashanah and Eid Mubarak.

Mustafa came through surgery great! Yesterday was, I think, a turning point for that post-surgery pain and discomfort. He seems to be feeling better and now the tubes and IVs are gradually getting removed! I think the best moment was when he could have a drink of water as he was not able to have anything by mouth for over 3 days. Mustafa has been an excellent “trooper” during this whole process, which has been painful and unfamiliar. Ahmed too is amazing — such patience, grace and dedication to his son. They are both so wonderful to be getting to know.

It is fine to resume visits starting on Sunday — we would just really urge you to KEEP THE VISITS BRIEF — they are both exhausted and really need to rest.

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I am so relieved to report that Mustafa came through the long surgery very well — no complications. The surgery accomplished the 3 things that were planned for: 1. removal of an egg-sized (literally) bladder stone that was obstructing the bladder and undoubtedly causing pain, 2. removal of one kidney that was not functioning and 3. revision of the colostomy so that it is smaller and easier to care for. Unfortunately, due to nervous system damage from the injury, Mustafa’s intestine could not be reattached, so the colostomy has to remain. Once he heals he should be pain-free. I think Ahmed is very relieved to have the surgery behind them, and he is grateful for the results.

Mustafa suffered very significant internal injuries from the bomb blast. He will need time, further evaluations of his kidney function, and further adaptations in order to get better and stay well. He has a long road ahead. BUT, he did very well today. We will have to reschedule the Shriner’s appointment (was to have been on this Thursday) for when he is feeling better.

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Dear friends,

Some more pictures from today — thanks Geri!!!

As you can see, Mustafa is feeling so much better. Ahmed said he hasn’t looked this good in a long time. It is so wonderful to see his resiliency – now there are smiles and laughs and lots of eye contact. All who have visited are so impressed by how really bright and observant he is. He (and Ahmed) are definitely in our hearts!!

In case you don’t know it, Mustafa loves soccer!!

So…here is what is immediately ahead: surgery next week — probably on Tuesday to… (more…)

Dear good friends,

Ahmed’s and Mustafa’s gentleness and bravery on this journey are totally amazing. Please feel free to get to know them. They were so moved by the warmth of the airport welcome and by the number of people who were there. I think we will all find it very easy to fall in love with them! Their story is so important to tell: here is this absolutely beautiful little boy whose injuries are extremely serious. It will be very moving to see this project evolve to tell Mustafa’s and Ahmed’s story AND to be a community that helps them heal.

A special thank you goes out to the members of the Iraqi community who have been so amazingly generous with their time, love, interpretation, meals and concern for Mustafa and Ahmed. (more…)

The word we received this morning from Cole Miller, (NMV Director) who is in Amman to accompany Mustafa Abed and his father Ahmed here, is that there is still the delay in the final travel stamp for Mustafa’s father’s passport. Hopefully, it will come through in a very short time. Cole will keep us updated and we will send out regular emails. Obviously, they won’t make it here in time for Mustafa’s scheduled appointment at Shriner’s this Wednesday, 8/27. I will work with Shriner’s to reschedule at the soonest time they can arrange.

So, we’ll continue to send our good energy to Mustafa and Ahmed, and hopefully, they will get here very soon. Enjoy the pictures!

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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.

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Mustafa is a five-year old Iraqi boy. Three years ago, in November 2004, during the U.S. assault on Fallujah, a U.S. missile landed near him as his mother carried him to escape the bombing, cutting off his left leg and causing severe abdominal injuries and a colostomy. He was about 2 years old at the time. His mother was slightly wounded. Our goal is to provide him with medical treatment that is donated by physicians and hospitals here in Portland, and to tell his story so that we can all better understand the human cost of war. Mustafa will live in our community with his father until his treatment is completed. They will then return to Iraq.

Shriners Hospital here in Portland has agreed to treat Mustafa’s orthopedic injuries free of charge. We are still working to arrange care for his abdominal wounds. Mustafa and his father will be arriving in July. Although we don’t know the exact travel date, his first appointment at Shriner’s is on July 24.

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