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

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

The Holy Month of Ramadan

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?

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.

MEETING THE FAMILY

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!

My life in Saudi Arabia.....

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.