Camel Crusher

No Special Occassion, just something I wanted to share, please use your own discretion.

2008-06-17T16:29:00.000-07:00

No matter how many times or how many tears, it will never bring back my baby girl, I miss, love you dearly my sweet angel. When they told me I was going to have triplets, I was so shocked, happy, and going to be a proud momma of 3 babies. I took my shots, medicine, vitamins as provided.

The doctor wanted me to reduce the pregnancy, meaning, like an abortion, to minimize the fetuses inside me. I declined. Months past, I grew bigger and bigger when I couldn’t take anymore, I was forbidden to go anywhere; I was in bed mostly because of my size of my belly. I went for 33 weeks and 5 days, they said, that this is perfect and the longest for anyone, that’s their opinion. I was happy; I saw my ultrasound in the hospital bed. “You are ready to deliver!” the doctor said. I packed for my delivery. We drove to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Riyadh is the Capital of KSA. It’s so crowded!!

They immediately admitted me, because of my size of the belly, I couldn’t walk, and I was wheelchair inside the hospital. My husband saw me go into the room and said “bring me a winner!” We laughed. I went to my room, and lied down; I was so tired and exhausted. Many people came in and see me and said WOW! There’s a word in Arabic we say; Mashallah! Means good things are from God!

The nurse asked me, “You want to hear their heartbeats?” I said, “YES!” I heard them, I started to cry w/joy, wishing my husband would come and hear them…

3 days past and nothing..lol, finally my water broke, and I screamed “NURSE!” I told her my water broke she called the doctor and examined me and they prepared me for C-Section. I rolled into the OR and counted 15 people in the room for me. I went under, and Woke up to “ wake up” I woke up stoned… and wanting to throw up. I rubbed my tummy and no big belly anymore. They rolled me out and said, Congrates, you have all girls!!! I cried w/joy and happiness.

Next few days, are the hardest for me to this day, I finally saw my girls they were in NICU. I saw my girls and my angel Lora. Mashallah, Lora had a full head of hair, and the prettiest eyes you would ever seen, brownish-green. So beautiful. MY first one was in full recovery and headed upstairs, followed by my second one. Lora stayed.

I can’t go on anymore, please read my desperate plea for help regarding Lora. She’s my world to me.

PLEASE READ: VERY IMPORTANT!!!
To whom it may concern:
I am emailing you this letter in regards pertaining to my daughter Lora. She is now hospitalized at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, in Riyadh. My baby is the last of the triplets, born on November 19, 2006 at King Fahd Medical City also in Riyadh.
The doctors of King Fahd, examined her and they found out that she has a rare Laryngeal Tracheo Esophageal Cleft type III, a small hole in the heart, a small stomach because always had secretions coming from her mouth. The doctors at King Fahd, advise us to transfer her to King Faisal Hospital. So, we did it. She was then transferred to King Faisal Specialist Hospital. Because they have a good surgeon and that they couldn’t do the surgery at King Fahd Medical City. She was hospitalized from November 19 - December 27, 2006 at King Fahd Medical City.

She was then examined by the doctors at King Faisal; they said the same thing at King Fahd. Since, then she is still hospitalized at King Faisal. The doctors examined her she needed surgery for the heart, esophagus, trachea, stomach. She has a rare anomaly LARNGEAL TRACHEO ESOPHAGEAL CLEFT TYPE III; this is rare in Saudi Arabia they told me. Also, MICROGASTRIA, VSD (COMPLEX). They told us the consequences if the trachea and esophagus fused together, then after the surgery the heart and the same thing for the heart the consequences.

At that time, both surgeries where successful the separation of the trachea and esophagus and the heart as well. BUT, we noticed after that she has 3 times to my knowledge lung collapse, whole body edema and upper body edema. Which she never had lung collapse and the edema at King Fahd. Two weeks ago, they mentioned the rectovaginal fistula. Which is, she never had THIS one at King Fahd.

The date of her first surgery was at King Faisal: January 16 for the separation of the Trachea and Esophagus (LARNGEAL TRACHEO ESOPHAGEAL CLEFT TYPE III.) As I recalled, this surgery was ’successful’ according to the pediatric surgeon. The next step was the heart, for VSD. That too was successful, as I was told at that time. Since then Lora was up and down, like a rollercoaster, w/lung collapse of the left lung and edema. Every day I called, to see how she is, they replied: “she’s fine,” We noticed Tuesday last week, she was ‘improving’ a lot, with oxygen machine and nitric oxide. On Wednesday, they removed the nitric oxide, because they said she was doing “good”. “Thank GOD” Also, we notice the pressure of the oxygen going down. I talked to the head pediatric surgeon, he told me about the next step, about putting the trach. Instead of the tube down her lungs, this is “good step”. We were so happy my family and I.

BUT, yesterday, March 12, 2007 Dr. Regal called, he mentioned to us that the heart wasn’t successful. WE WERE SHOCKED, DEVASTED, DESTROYED my dreams of having my daughter in my arms. He told us that on the medical side that they couldn’t do “nothing”. Even, we couldn’t decide to do another operation.

When I asked the doctor HOW COME didn’t tell us from the beginning about her heart not successful???? When I asked him this question, he said we could NOT take xray of the heart, just blood cultures. But I notice, they can take XRAY almost every day for the lungs!!!!!! And we notice also, ECG for the heart was Fine. Even the O2 saturation in the 90s.

Please I really need a solution for my daughter. I need a 2nd opinion. PLEASE I want to save my daughter’s life….

Please contact me ASAP.
I really thank you for your time and understanding.

With regards,
Lora’s Parents

P.S. UPDATE: MARCH 20, 2007, my daughter is back on the HIGH FREQUENCY OSCILLATOR VENTILATOR her oxygen is at: 40 - 80%, with Nitric Oxide. At times, her oxygen tends to go up when she is being handled. She has a central line as of Feb. 17. The cardiologist team saw her and they want to repair the patch. But there is an option for medication.

Sadly, while we were driving to Riyadh on May 19, 2007 early morning the doctor called at 1am saying they couldn’t revive her from her CODE BLUE. I was told she had one later that evening. To this day, and forever, I’m deeply saddened over my lost of my little angel; she would look like between my girls. I need to be there for my girls now; I shared this touching story to you and your family. If you have anything please email me. Your thoughts will deeply matter to me and my family.
Love,
camelcrusher

REUNITED...........

2008-05-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

I am happy to say that I found my cousins.....

I want to thank my good friend...........you know who you are.........

More to come...............

YEAR coming to an END............

2007-12-27T18:21:00.000-08:00

Well, the year is coming to an end.
There are some high and lows.

My high are the girls...
My Low is losing my baby..at 5 months..
People say forget............how do u forget when u lost your baby to medical reasons which I think it could have been treatable? ....

I hope next year 2008 INSHALLAH BE better.........!!

See you NEXT year.........

What Do Women Really Want?

2007-11-30T13:48:00.000-08:00

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youthful happiness. So he offered him freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur, would have a year to figure out the answer. If, after a year, he still had no answer, he would be killed. The question was: What do women really want? Such a question would have perplexed even the most knowledgeable man, and, to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. Since it was better than death, however, he accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end.He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everybody; the princess, the prostitutes, priests, the wise men, and the court jester. In all, he spoke with everyone but no one could give him a satisfactory answer. What most people did tell him was to consult the old witch, as only she would know the answer. The price would be high as the witch was famous for the exorbitant prices she charged.The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no alternative but to talk to the witch. She agreed to answer his question, but he'd have to accept her price; the old witch wanted to marry Gawain, the most noble of the Knights of the Round table and Arthur's closest friend! Young Arthur was horrified, she was hunchbacked and awfully hideous, had only one tooth, smelled like a sewer and often made obscene noises. He had never run across such a repugnant creature. He refused to force his friend to marry her and to have to endure such a burden.Gawain upon learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur. He told him that nothing was too big a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and the preservation of the Round table. Hence, their wedding was proclaimed, and the witch answered Arthur's question.What a woman really wants is to be able to be in charge of her own life.Everyone instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur's life would be spared. And so it went. The neighboring monarch spared Arthur's life and granted him total freedom.What a wedding Gawain and the witch had! Arthur was torn between relief and anguish. Gawain was proper as always, gentle and courteous. The old witch put her worst manners on display. She ate with her hands, belched and farted, and made everyone uncomfortable. The wedding night approached: Gawain, steeling himself for a horrific night, entered the bedroom. What a sight awaited! The most beautiful woman he'd ever seen lay before him! Gawain was astounded and asked what had happened.The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she'd been a witch, half the time she would be her horrible, deformed self. And the other half, she would be her beautiful maiden self. Which would,he want her to be during the day and which during the night? What a cruel question! Gawain began to think of his predicament.During the day a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his home, an old spooky witch? Or would he prefer having by day a hideous witch, but by night a beautiful woman to enjoy many intimate moments.What would you do?What Gawain chose follows below, but don't read until you've made your own choice.

*Noble Gawain replied that he would let her choose for herself. Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time, because he had respected her and had let her be in charge of her own life.What is the moral of the story?The moral is that it doesn't matter if a woman is pretty or ugly, smart or dumb. Underneath it all, she's still a . . . . . witch!!!

Author Unknown

No posting is good Posting?

2007-11-09T06:26:00.000-08:00

Hi ALL,

Sorry , that I haven't been posting because I have my girls to keep me busy and communicating w/someone is impossible....lol j/k...

Hopefully, I will post some soon.

Take care...

BELIEVE IT OR NOT

2007-09-26T14:59:00.000-07:00

Hi gang, I want to take us briefly away for a moment, and have you take at look at these 'true' facts I found on the net, little bits and pieces. Enjoy!

The person who wrote the famous song, "Keep the Home Fires Burning" burnt to death when their home caught fire.

In 1970, television newswoman Chris Hubbock announced, "In keeping with Channel 40's policy of always bringing you the latest in gore and guts in living color, you're about to see another first - an attempted suicide". Then she pulled out a gun and fatally shot herself in the head.

Eric II, King of Denmark, died in 1104. He was known as Eric the Memorable. No one remembers why.

Napoleon killed over a thousand people with a cough. In 1799 he was deciding whether to release 1,200 Turkish prisoners of war when he coughed and said, "Ma sacre toux!" (my darned cough) which sounded to officers like "Massacrez tout!" (Kill them all!). So they did.

Mummies were so plentiful when first discovered that they were ground up and sold as fertilizer and put into medicines

Residents of death row in Texas are forbidden to smoke. Guess they're afraid they'd get cancer and die. Perhaps some can enlighten me as to why?

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More to come.....

The Holy Month of Ramadan

2007-09-16T13:57:00.001-07:00

Ramadan Mubarak! I hope everyone is enjoying the holy month. Sorry, I haven't post anything because I am busy!! Here is some information regarding Ramadan. Enjoy!

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar, is considered as one of the holiest months of the year. It was in 610 A.D. when the prophet Muhammad was said to have received revelations from God that later became Islam’s holy book, the Quran (Koran).

The Quran (2:185) states that it was in the month of Ramadan that the Quran was revealed. In fact, Ramadan commemorates that part, of the Muslim year, when "the Qur'an was sent down as a guidance for the people" and also for the " judgment between the right and wrong". Another verse of the Quran (97:1) states that it was revealed "on the night of determination," which Muslims generally observe on the night of 26-27 Ramadan.

The holy season begins with the sighting of the crescent moon on the evening following the new moon and lasts for 29 or 30 days depending on the lunar cycle. According to the Quran, Muslims must see the New Moon with the naked eye before they can begin their fast. The practice has arisen that two witnesses should testify to this before a qadi (judge), who, if satisfied, communicates the news to the mufti (the interpreter of Muslim law), who orders the beginning of the fast. It has become usual for Middle Eastern Arab countries to accept, with reservations, the verdict of Cairo. Should the New Moon prove to be invisible, then the month Sha'ban, immediately preceding Ramadan, will be reckoned as 30 days in length, and the fast will begin on the day following the last day of this month. Ramadan, the ninth month, is observed throughout the Muslim world as a month of fasting. The end of the fast follows the same procedure. By fasting, Muslims believe they can learn the discipline and self-restraint that Mohammed preached. Thus fasting is taken as a form of worship and a time of empowerment.

Even though from dawn to sunset, Muslims abstain from food, drink and all sensual pleasures, that doesn’t mean food is entirely out of the picture. Two main meals are taken each day during Ramadan. The souhoor begins each day before dawn and the aftar breaks the fast after sunset. At the sundown each day the fast is broken with the dates and water or the apricot drink. Mostly this is followed by a traditional soup like lentil and a salad like 'fattoushi'. However, the main meal can be anything. There are no restrictions, olives, cheeses, meats, everything just goes. Every family has its traditional dishes to enjoy. Also sweets are also an important part of Ramadan food. Usually ladies at home prepare the special Ramadan dishes for the evening meal. Many go out to give the women a break. Visits are exchanged for a community get together and feasts within their own faith. But it is not prudent to indulge in eating too much while after the fast. Because the stomach shrinks during this fast. In fact, the fast loses its meaning with an indulgence.

DO we REALLY need MAIDS?

2007-08-22T14:55:00.001-07:00

Why do we need maids? There are about 1,000,000 maids in Saudi Arabia ALONE.... Now, come on people. What we can't get up and get a glass of water? I hear many stories of maids on how they are treated. It is really sad, horrible, and disgusting.

The reason for me needing one is just to follow up...cleaning, help in cooking, things like that. BUT I will never leave my twins left alone with her. NO WAY. For some people they do, that's is their business. I am NOT against them in anyway shape or form only for the children's sake.

Maids in Saudi Arabia are House - guests, according to some links that I have been reading lately.

It's really sad to see these 'lazy' people not getting up to get things really just piss me off. I have many stories relating to those 'lazy' people.

About a week ago, during my daughter's party, the family came. ALL of them. Of course, they have maids, but nobody came with them. So, my maid HAD to do everything, including me, follow my twins, give tea, and all that great stuff.
Its really frustrating if you ask me.

Our mom's did everything, what ? SOME mom now needs someone to get a glass a water when its actual there by her?

Maids are needed for help if the MOM has small children, yes, I understand.
I dont believe for the old people, what about their relatives, what? they cant take care of him or her?
Moms with teenage daughters doesnt need maids. So, I am in the middle I think.

So, do we really need maids? In my WHOLE opinion? No...maybe some of you disagree or agree that's up to you.

School is COMING!

2007-08-14T13:49:00.000-07:00

In a way, I am so happy that kids are going back to school. These teenagers are something else now, I remember when I was a teenager, going to the mall with my friends hanging out, catching a movie, window shopping and much more. BUT now, times have changed ALOT! what happened people?! lol Dont forget to buy those notebooks, pens, pencils and all of that hoopla. Get ready for that LAST minute shopper. So, teenagers few more weeks or days left and BTC...

Why cant school be all year round? I remember going back in last week in August!

Maybe, I'll be able to post more often? Who knows...lol

;)

Who's REALLY tired.???

2007-08-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

Recently, I gave birth to triplets.....Now, its "I WAS UP with them last night!" meaning my husband stayed up last night. OKAY, so what's the fuss? Yes, I am tired, What does that makes me a bad PARENT? Come on, please. I do all here. I cook, clean, do clothes....NEED I say more? As I type this blog, I am here with them actually both now. My last one past away....I will share my heart felt story with you, about my lost of my beautiful Angel Lora......So, now, I am typing away, I have some time to be here. Now, my Saudi Husband on the other hand, decide to go out and NOT stay home with me ? WHY? Because now, you are finished with me you need to 'get' away....I know I know. Maybe, there are many women feel the same way. So, lets asked this question? Who's really tired? ......

Please leave your comments here on my blog or you can email at camelcrusher@gmail.com

I will post my comments soon.

Those 2 Riyal Stores, 5 Riyals, 10 Riyals........

2007-08-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

When I first came to Saudi Arabia, my husband introduced me to the 'cheap'' store...lol I had a phase almost every single day. They had alot of good stuff there. WOW, we have these houses...and I remember the TITANTIC days....LOL WOW....but I saved alot of money. If I like something I went and I bought it.

After a few months, the 2 riyal days were gone. lol
But I still look and see what they have...

Some of the material for clothes are not that great here, you have to break an arm and leg just to buy.

The material back home is good.....

MEETING THE FAMILY

2007-08-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

LONG AWAITED .....LOL HERE IT IS BY 'BITS AND PIECES'...LOL

The very first day was after I landed in Manama, Bahrain. "WOW, I thought...at the time, they are welcoming me.... "thank you, THANK YOU, " they said to me. I'm thinking what the hell for? They handed me a baby to kiss....I was like OKAY...Like I said Bits and Pieces. We all drove off looking for a hotel to stay in. It took forever...lol ANYWAYS, my first day in another country and I was some what scared, happy, excited, depressed. I didnt know what to expect from the 'family'. The next day, we all talked. Well, not me, I just listened and said. "WHAT did they say, say this." It was funny....lol

I spend 3 months in Bahrain. I was waiting for the visa to enter Saudi Arabia. BUT.......I had to GO back home. I was like? WHAT? why? it was a hard decision to do. Leaving my husband for a month or so.

Its funny when you left, they missed you but when you came back, they wanted you to leave again. That's what happened to me when I went back in 1999. I missed my husband when I went back. I did it again in 2003, the last time I went home to see my mom and brother.....that's

As years went by, lesser and lesser, seeing the "family" They were HAPPY to see me but now they can care less about us, meaning ME, because I am a outsider, and they dont want that. So, I gave my husband a choice, its either, I leave taking my daughter at the time, OR we divorced. It was getting to the point, they were talking bad about ME at the time. and I know they are still, so they
like it or not, I am here to stay....lol

The ONLY person who really accepted me was his father. Sadly, he past away.

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I know I have more I want to add, but FEEL free to add your experiences and such. LETS have a laugh, or cry even, believe me I have been there!

Welcome to the LAND of SAND

2007-07-20T17:48:00.000-07:00

It was the last day that I will ever thought I would see my mother and brother again. I left them to follow my husband. It was all of the sudden thing. Mom was like "why"?.

I said to her, "do you love my husband?" she said, "yes!" I said, "well, ok then, I am going. Dont worry I will write, call..."that's

We gather what we can to take with us on the plane. My mother was with us, my brother drove us. "So, this is it sis?" I said, "what are you talking about?" ..."You know." I couldnt say another word because he pinched a nerve, I cried.

It is so hard to say goodbye to someone, who gave birth to you, saw you through your first day of school,...get the picture. I know its rough but all of us went through it one way or another. We said our long goodbyes, that lasted for hours and hours. I took a last look back at my mom, she was crying holding a tissue to her face, my brother holding on to her, waving goodbye at me. That left a impact on me when I got on that plane and when I got off of it.

Remind you, I never ever flew in a plane, I worked in the Airport selling Mrs. Fields Cookies, yummy!. My first time on the plane was like okay, then, we starting to climb 'higher'. I was so scared, I hold my husband's hand so hard, he said: "you okay?". "WHAT, do u think?" I said. As we reached the height of 30,000 feet, nothing but clear blue skies.... I was at peace somewhat, except for the sound of the plane, that wracked my hearing about a month...<Dont you hate it, and you are moving your mouth to make your ears "POP" its so funny watching other passengers do the same thing as I did....lol>

We were giving peanuts, knowing that peanuts are salty. I need water!.

It was 2 and 1/2 hour flight if i remember from where I am at to New York...OMG!! so crowded, I was going to tell my husband, 'lets go back'. When We arrived at New York's Terminal...so many people, nationalities, religions, color,....many other things. Anyhow, when we arrived we had to 'rush' to go to the line, take out your passports, tickets, we waited I dont know HOW LONG! My God!

Somehow, are another we made it pass the line, onto the plane, and off we go...

The plane ride was somewhat, unique because it was the Total Eclipse on a Friday and 13. hmmm, I was kinda afraid, of turbulence and crap, but we made it through after about 24 hours I think...lol, many hours forward....so dont blame me for jet legged!.

The food was horrible, the people were smoking...?wait, isnt there NO SMOKING signs on the plane?

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Arriving in a Foreign Country.

RUSH, RUSH, RUSH.....running to get off the plane and waiting for hours to get on the next....That was the most workout I received...lol

We stopped over in a Middle Eastern country. Amman, Jordan. We stayed there for 8 hours? Now, what to do for 8 hours? Can't sleep, too busy watching people trying to steal your suitcases. Not, hungry, had the terrible food on the plane. But all in all, we survived...lol. So, we managed to get on the plane, heading for Manama, Bahrain. It was ok, I slept through, until we landed.

Then the 'fun' begins:

NEXT BLOG, MEETING THE FAMILY:

My life in Saudi Arabia.....

2007-07-19T23:37:00.000-07:00

Let me say, that my new friend has got me "HOOKED" now on blogging....thank you..You know who you are ;).

I'll give you a brief info...

I am an American Muslim living in Al Hassa, Saudi Arabia. I have been here now for 8 years. I have 3 wonderful children, they are very happy. I am also happy, been married to a Saudi for 15 years now...I think thats enough?!?!?...lol

I hope that in this blog, I will share MY experiences among, saudis, their families. and some other things as well.