WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW Salee completed her second round of prosthetics treatment in Greenville. Nora has returned home after successful treatment in Maine. While continuing with our ordinary work, NMV is now working to seed fully independent projects in the US and abroad, and developing a documentary.
Portland Oregon's NMV chapter is made up of diverse members of
our community including Muslims, Christians, Jews and others. We are
doctors, nurses, teachers, artists, writers, gardeners, students and
many other backgrounds. Young and old -- working together. We are all
moved to tell about the human cost of war, and in doing so to raise
our community's awareness of the need to end the war in Iraq and all
wars. We learned about NMV from Democracy Now! Portland is a city
with incredible pediatric resources, an active and large peace
community and a huge heart. We are so glad to welcome Ahmed and
Mustafa to our community. We feel the responsibility to help heal
young Mustafa Abed and to tell his story over and over so all will know
the horror of our military actions.
Over the past 9 months, we have met a number of times to
plan our project and build our community. Through Mustafa and Ahmed,
we are building many wonderful friendships across our communities. If
you are interested in joining us in this very meaningful and
important project, please contact: Ned Rosch or Maxine Fookson at
rofo@teleport.com or call (503) 234-3501.
Last evening a group of us were together and we were able to talk with both Mustafa’s mom (Nidhal), and Ahmed. So much thanks to Abu Bedour and Abu Zahra for translating. First the news, then some impressions.
Most important is that Mustafa is doing well. He has not had any signs of bladder or kidney infection. They are doing fine with the catheterization procedure. He is only using the prosthesis when strongly encouraged to do so, and seems to prefer the wheelchair. He still plays floor soccer at every opportunity he has. Since they arrived home to Iraq after this school year had started, Mustafa is not now in school. However, he will start going next school year.
Sunday, April 12th, 2009 | Posted by Ned and Maxine
After several months of worrying and so many of us missing Mustafa and Ahmed so so badly, and many friends/interpreters trying various #s to reach them, we were finally able to talk with Ahmed last Friday night. The phone situation and security in Iraq is terrible. The phone connection was horrible and it took several tries to get the line to go through. So, the conversation was limited–on both ends it was extremely hard to hear clearly and at one point, we got disconnected and had to call a second time. The speaker phone didn’t work as the connection was so distorted, so we kept asking our questions to Waddah and Saed as one or the other interpreted into the phone.
At the beginning of the call, for the first minutes when we could hear on the speaker phone, we all broke into smiles and tears as Ahmed said, “I love you, Portland!” It was his wonderful lovely voice!
The important thing we heard is that Mustafa is doing okay. Ahmed said Mustafa had recently gone through some tests and that all is okay with his renal status. (For those of you on the medical team, we did ask Ahmed and the doctor in Fallujah to send the medical reports to Jordan to be sent to us for review by the nephrologist here). More on that soon.
I know I am so very “full” with my memories and feelings of the time spent with Mustafa and Ahmed. I have heard from so many others of the impact that Mustafa and Ahmed had on them, as well. Several of us were thinking that it would be great/important to chronicle our community’s thoughts/feelings/impressions, etc. This is a gift to us, to Mustafa and his family, as well as a potentially powerful peace compilation.
I would like to invite ALL interested in writing about their experience/feelings – whatever ways you were impacted by Mustafa and Ahmed – from close or from afar – to send your thoughts to me and I will work with a few others to put it together and will then send out an electronic compilation.
I just spoke to Ahmed and Mustafa at the No More Victims apartment in Amman, Jordan. They arrived a few hours ago without problem. They are tired but are surrounded by the No More Victims staff/friends in Jordan. They were sharing a nice meal when I called. It sounded very happy there!
Ahmed said over and over, “I love you, Portland!!”
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!
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 | Posted by Maxine and Ned
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 | Posted by Ned and Maxine
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.
