Eight-year-old Karishma rests following her heart surgery. The surgery was performed by military doctors at the hospital at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 14, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tara Teel
Posted on 08/23/2005 6:39:38 PM PDT by SandRat
Eight-year-old Karishma rests following her heart surgery. The surgery was performed by military doctors at the hospital at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 14, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tara Teel
The efforts of two Special Forces medical personnel and a military doctor at Bagram Airfield's hospital ensure an ailing Afghan girl receives life-saving heart surgery
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Aug. 23, 2005 — Karishma tried to be like any other eight-year-old, running and playing with endless energy, but for her, there was a limit to her energy. She would not be able to look forward to a normal, long life because of heart problems which developed at birth, but that all changed about a year ago. Two U.S. Special Forces medical personnel, a medical sergeant and doctor, crossed paths with Karishma, a meeting which ultimately led to successful, life-saving closed-heart surgery performed by Dr. (Maj.) Michael Myers on Aug. 14.
"I am very happy and very thankful to the Americans for helping Karishma."
Abdula, father of Karishma
“The surgery went extremely well,” the Special Forces doctor said. “She is a strong little girl. She will live a long, happy, healthy life.”
Karishma Naghshban was three months old when her family found out from doctor in Peshawar, Pakistan, that she had heart problems. She was diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect, which is a type of heart malfunction present at birth, or congenital heart disease. Basically, a heart with this defect has a hole in the wall.
Seven years later, her father, Abdula, was introduced by the village elders to the Special Forces medical sergeant and doctor, both of whom were conducting sick-call near Jalalabad in September 2004.
“I told Abdula that I could not treat Karishma, but would do some research on the internet about the problem and asked him to return a few days later,” stated the Special Forces sergeant. “I researched the condition and found three non-profit organizations that could help. The same day I received a response from the Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, N.J., that offered to perform the surgery free for the family through a program called ‘Children of the World Program.’”
The Deborah Heart and Lung Center reviewed Karishma’s charts and made a final diagnosis that she had Patent Ductus Arteriosus, where a part of her aorta did not close and develop after birth.
Everything was set for Karishma and her mother to travel to New Jersey for the operation. The entire trip and operation would be free of charge for the family. But, events took another turn.
Almost a year after initially seeing Karishma in Jalalabad, the Special Forces doctor overheard Dr. Myers, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Bagram Airfield’s hospital, stating that he did a similar surgery and he asked Dr. Myers if he would like to do another. The Special Forces doctor relayed this information to the Special Forces sergeant. The sergeant later learned that Myers had actually performed the same surgery about a week prior on another patient.
“I told Dr. Myers about Karishma and asked him if he was interested in doing another one, and he said ‘Sure, why not’,” the Special Forces doctor said.
The family was told about Myers’ ability to perform the surgery at Bagram and they accepted the offer.
Her family is very excited and happy about the surgery, explained the sergeant. They would never have been able to afford the operation at a local hospital. Abdula is a tailor with a family of five daughters and five sons.
“I am very happy and very thankful to the Americans for helping Karishma,” Abdula said.
“She is very playful and energetic, she just gets tired real easy,” said the Special Forces doctor.
Karishma is currently in recovery at Bagram and expected to return home within a week.
Better news I have not heard in days. God bless those who participated in this miracle.
(Ping for a miracle!) :o)
Glad I could send this along to warm your heart.
Little does she know what may lurk in her future. Hopefully her potential won't be ruined and imprison her for life by the shackles of Islam.
GOOD PIECE, I DID A TOUR IN THE STAN W/SF AND SAW MY SHARE OF
SICK, DESTITUTE KIDS. THINGS ARE CHANGING EVER SO SLOWLY OVER THERE.THIS CASE CAN ONLY HELP.
GOOD-O on You!!!! Are you due anytime soon to rotate back?
I was just reading a story in this month's Reader's Digest about a little girl who was severely burned over there and brought to this country for treatment. The doctors worked a miracle. These are the kind of stores that need to get out.
JUST GOT BACK FROM ANOTHER "TRIP" OVER IN THE SANDBOX. IM SURE
ILL BE GOIN BACK, THIS WAR WILL LAST A LONG TIME.
Bump!
fyi
That so sweettt Sandrat thank for the ping
BTTT
Excellent thread folks.
Thanks for the ping, this is an excellent post. I really enjoy reading about the efforts we make regarding the children in Af and Iraq. Thanks again.
Excellent news however and a refreshing change from the pounding drone of negative news! : )
Great story, Sand. One family at a time. God bless our military.
God Bless You and Welcome Home!
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