He has a name!

The latest addition now has a name! He is known as Rashid Okasha Hassan.

And of course, he has his own blog as well.

rashidokashahassan.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

And then there were three...

Asalamu Alaikum all,

Now Samaah is the eldest of three, subhan Allah!

First Zaid and now a new brother to add to the mix, I wonder what her reaction would have been! Allah knows best! :-)

Between Zaid and the latest, yet unnamed, additional bundle of joy, the house will surely be full of love, laughter and cheers of encouragement! An overwhelming gratefulness for Allah's bounties and limitless generosity settles in the heart, while in the quiet moments, the mind reflects on Allah's wisdom and plans for each and everyone of us.

Allah's plan for Samaah was clear. She was to be a beacon of what was to come. Her strength is ever present in Zaid as he falls head first into a table, then stands up and laughs it off. Her soft smile shown across her new brother's face as he slept in complete stillness on his first day in the world. And her enduring spirit is evident in both of them when you look in their sparkling eyes and see a light of unending joy and curiosity.

And as many times before and likely, many times again, I miss Samaah. Her brothers do not replace her, but they fill the space in the void that she left behind. And I pray for the day that we will all be reunited by the will and mercy of Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

I ask Him, the Provider and the Protector, to grant my nephews with many blessings and make them among the righteous. Ameen!

Fareheen

Asalamu Alaikum,

For more information about our new addition, go to his own blog:

http://zaidhassan.blogspot.com/

1 week old and has his own blog. Nice.

A year later...

Subhan Allah, Surely after difficulty, there is ease. Surely after difficult, there is ease.

Today, on the 25th night of Ramadan, Samaah had a baby brother. His name is Zaid Bukhari Hassan.

I don't know if there is any resemblence between the two siblings as I haven't seen a picture yet. So I wonder if he has Samaah's sparkling eyes or her sweet smile. I wonder if he has her innate curiosity or her quiet charm.

Today, on the 25th day of Ramadan, I miss Samaah. She taught me so much in her time on this earth but insha allah, Zaid will do the same and more.

May Allah protect my nephew, grant him health, and make him amongst the beloved of our Creator. Ameen.

Asalamu Alaikum,

Here's some video of my delicious Chamaah Mama! Look at her gorgeous smile.

Asalamu Alaikum,

Jazakum Allahu Khair to everyone who was able to attend Salat-ul-Ghaib Janazah at the Islamic Forum of Canada - Naila and Hassan are really grateful for your attendance and duas. Also, to everyone who has made dua for them, stopped by our house, called them, etc, I'm sure when things are settled down, they update this blog to show their appreciation insha Allah.

Just one quick update, insha Allah Naila and Hassan won't be leaving until next Monday, November 6th, Alhamdullilah!

If anyone would like to come to the airport, their flight will leave at 9:10pm and we have to be at the airport by 8:10pm insha Allah.

Asalamu Alaikum,

Insha Allah, a second Janazah prayer for Samaah will be offered at the Islamic Forum of Canada.

Date: Friday 10/27/06
Time: 7:30PM
Place: Islamic Forum of Canada (200 Advance Blvd)
Prayer to be led by Imam Faisal Abdur-Razzak

From 401/403
410 North
Exit on Steeles East (Right turn)
Right turn on Dixie
Left turn on Advance
First left and masjid is on the other side of the building

We apologize for the late notice, but insha Allah, your presence and duas will be greatly appreciated.

Flight information below:

AIR CANADA
AC8838
10/26/2006
23:29
TERMINAL 1

If anyone needs parking, for the best parking at Terminal 1, see below:
Enter Departure ramp of Terminal 1
Entrance to garage will be on left hand side
Enter Short Term Parking
After getting ticket, turn right in first or second row
Drive to end of row (Glass doors are the entrance to bridge that will take you to the terminal)

Call if you need any help. 647-297-2967

Asalamu Alaikum,

The Janaza will take place sometime tomorrow morning insha Allah in Saskatoon. Alhamdullilah, they were able to schedule it as soon as possible.

Upon Naila and Hassan's arrival to Brampton, insha Allah, I'm sure they will be wanting to meet with each and everyone of you, so they would like to plan some type of dua/prayer at the Islamic Forum of Canada insha Allah.

Further updates will be provided as to date/time insha Allah.

May Allah have mercy on us and forgive us for our sins. Ameen.

Fareheen

A few notes:

1. Insha Allah, my mother-in-law and Br. Abul Ala are leaving tomorrow at 6am to arrive in Saskatoon at 9am.

2. Insha Allah, they will return with Naila and Hassan on Thursday evening. Their flight (Tango) will arrive at 11:43pm on Thursday Insha Allah. Feel free to meet them at the airport insha Allah.

3. Also, some people have requested to come and see my in-laws tonight. Your prayers and thoughts are very much appreciated, so if anyone would like to come, please come around Maghrib prayer tonight.

Maghrib
~6:20 PM

32 Neville Cres
Brampton, Ontario
L6S 5K9

Directions:
From 401 or 403

Take Hwy 410 Brampton (North)
Exit at Bovaird Drive
Turn Right (East)

At First Traffic Light, Turn Right (Nasmith Street)
At First Stop Sign, Turn Left (Newport Street)
At First street, Turn Left (Neville Cres)

32 Neville Cres (Left hand side)
Home Number: Naila’s Parents 905-454-8297
Home Number: Naila’s Brother 905-454-2967

Jazak Allah Khair and please continue to make dua.

Fareheen

Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi ra ji oon. Samaah Leem Hassan passed away this morning at 09:52AM Saskatoon time.

Just received a call from Naila. Samaah may be in her last moments in this life. Allah knows best and please make dua.

Just spoke to Naila, and there are some significant updates from today.

The Gallium scan was complete and there was a large infection in Samaah's bones. The doctors will be placing her on 4-6 weeks of antibiotics.

Also, they completed another investigative procedure in her heart and they discovered that there is a minor hole in her heart. However, they are not too concerned with this at this point. What they are really worried about is the fact that her pulmonary veins are not developing properly. They will require further investigation of this issues by doing an invasive procedure that will take some pictures of heart, but can’t do that until antibiotic is complete (another 4-6 weeks).

Also, the doctors have put Samaah on a vaccine once a month for children whose immune system is very weak and a higher dose of Lasix due to water in lungs.

Please continue to make dua in these last few days of Ramadan that Allah makes it easy for Samaah. She is so resilient and even in the midst of so much, she is still able to smile.

This is Fareheen again - I haven't posted for awhile as I have been here in Saskatoon (aka The Farm). As most of you know I am the very proud Mami-ma (Auntie) of dear Samaah.

Anyways, here's my post:

Whoa Naila! Relax with the pictures!!!

Just kidding! I can't get enough of Samaah's delicious cheeks and her oh-so-cute mouth and her huge brown eyes! So keep 'em coming!

For those of you haven't seen Samaah up close and personal, take my word for it, it's a real blessing to be in the presence of such a fighter. Her spirit and curiosity is already very apparent and infectious. You can really see that she is an interesting mix of Naila and Hassan. Samaah has Naila's smile and continous energy. And just like how Hassan won't go to sleep just in case he misses something exciting when me and Naila are talking, neither will Samaah!!! She forces her eyes to stay open!

However, it looks like she got her introspective nature from her Mami-ma (that would be me)!!! HA!!! No but seriously, she spends hours just looking around and thinking deeply (or so it seems).

Anyways, with all of Naila's exciting posts, we haven't really provided any information about Samaah's health, so I wanted to summarize the information below:

Last week, Samaah had to be placed back on oxygen as some fluid in her lungs had developed. Alhamdullilah since then, the fluid has subsided with the aid of a pharmaceutical and her vitals all seem good.

However, a somewhat more serious condition was discovered. It seems that Samaah's skull/head maybe a bit smaller than what should be expected at her age/weight/height etc. The doctors are a bit worried about this as they are unsure if it is related to her original heart condition or not. At this point, they are still investigating using genetics as well as a CT scan that will done on her brain.

Finally, over the past couple days, the doctors have also noticed that a minor infection has developed in the incision of her heart surgery. A CT scan has also been planned for her chest area, but as a precaution they have already put her on antibiotics.

Being here in Saskatoon, one realizes the long term follow-up that will be required in this situation and the patience and optimism that Allah has bestowed upon Naila and Hassan. Their focus, strength and resolve are definitely qualities to admire and insha Allah, will be passed down to Samaah as she grows up.

Anyways, they are at home in the evenings and I'm sure they would love to hear from you guys, so call them when you can insha Allah.

I just received a message from Naila. They are transporting Samaah back to Saskatoon insha Allah. Allah knows best.

As for Samaah's health, she's doing better Alhamdullilah. They have removed all machines from her and only her feeding tube remains.

Naila and Hassan are now packing and preparing to return to Saskatoon. May Allah make the journey easy for them. Ameen.

Just spoke to Hassan on his way to Jummah.

Masha Allah, Samaah is doing well post-surgery. She had a couple of "hiccups" during the night, but doctors had expected those potential changes in her condition.

Just spoke to Hassan, and the doctors have decided to keep Samaah off the heart/lung machine that was helping her breathe/pump blood prior to the surgery.

Insha Allah, they will be monitoring her very closely for the next 24 hours to ensure that Samaah is capable on her own.

Also, Hassan wanted to pass the following quick message to all:

“Jazakum Allah Khairyan to everyone and may Allah reward all of you.”

Alhamdullilah, the surgery has just been completed. The doctors sound optimistic, however the next 24 hours is an extremely critical time and will help determine the success of this procedure.

May Allah make it easy for them.

Samaah has gone into surgery now. Please make dua for Allah to make this time easy for Samaah, Naila and Hassan.

I just spoke to Naila and she wanted to pass this dua along to everyone:

"May Allah forgive us all. May He shower us with His mercy and blessings. May He place peace and happiness in everyone's heart. May He grant us only what is best and save everyone a spot in Janaah. Ameen."

May Allah reward all of you for taking a few moments from your time to ask the Almightly for the ease, patience, understanding, wisdom, and the many countless blessings that he has bestowed on Naila, Hassan and all of us. Ameen.

May Allah also reward all of you for praying for Samaah, so that He in His Infinite Wisdom grants what is best for her. Ameen.

Surgery has been moved to 11AM Edmonton time (1PM our time) insha Allah. Allah knows best.

Surgery is scheduled at 7:30AM Edmonton time (9:30AM Toronto time) tomorrow insha Allah.

Its supposed to take 4-5 hours, but may take longer depending on the progress of the surgery.

Please continue to make dua.

Alhamdullilah, Samaah is doing better each day with the help of the heart/lung machine. The doctors are pleased with her progress and feel she is ready for the surgery. They are also trying to ensure that after the surgery she will no longer require the heart/lung machine to help her breathe/pump blood.

However, the doctor performing the surgery has 2 other surgeries scheduled today, so it may be performed tomorrow insha Allah. Allah knows best.

Also, the doctors have informed Hassan and Naila of the risks/complications that stem from this type of surgery. There are a lot of unknown variables that can prove to have consequence, so insha Allah please keep making lots of dua for Samaah and her parents.

Dr. Kashif Yousuf's update on the technical aspects of Samaah's condition:


This is just a follow-up Samaah’s current medical condition. If you are reading the blog for the first time, it may be helpful to read the August 27 posting describing her congenital heart defect (Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Drainage [TAPVD]).

We previously described that a septostomy (making a hole in the septum; the septum is a wall which divides the left side of the heart from the right) was most likely completed on Samaah’s heart. However in patients with TAPVD, an Atrial Septal Defect (a hole in the septum of the atrium [upper chambers of the heart]) is found and that is the case with Samaah. So the septostomy was not necessary, since a hole, which connects the right side of the heart to left, already existed.

However, over the weekend, physicians did complete a procedure that keeps the hole in the septum patent, which ensures that the left side of Samaah’s heart continues to receive some oxygenated blood that can then be pumped to the rest of her body.

A complication, which about 50-60% of patients with TAPVD develop is pulmonary vein obstruction. Just to recap from the August 27 post, in Samaah’s heart, the pulmonary vein is the vein that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the right side of her heart via the vena cava. When pulmonary vein obstruction occurs, the heart is unable to get oxygenated blood into the right side of the heart, and thus the blood is not able to travel to the left side of the heart via the Atrial Septal Defect. This then causes the rest of Samaah’s body to be deprived of oxygenated blood.

To try and resolve this problem, physicians needs to break the “clot” or the “obstruction” which has occurred in the pulmonary vein. Following the breaking of the clot, the physicians insert a stent (a hollow tube) in the vein to ensure that the vein does not re-clot. Veins that clot once, have a propensity to clot again, and that is why this preventative measure is ensued.

Both of these procedures (keeping the atrial septal defect patent and unplugging the pulmonary vein) can be completed with cardiac catheterization. Cardiac catheterization is a non-invasive procedure that allows physicians to complete the above-mentioned tasks, without having to invasively make an incision (cut) into the patient’s chest.

In cardiac catheterization, physicians feed a small catheter (hollow tube) into a large vein in the patient’s thigh. This vein (remember vein is a vessel which ultimately ends up opening into the heart) allows the catheter to be fed all the way into the patient’s heart. Using this catheter, physicians inject a radioactive dye into the patient’s blood stream, which can then be imaged using a machine similar to the x-ray machine (the machine detects the radioactive dye and provides a picture of the vessels which have the dye present within them). Thus the physicians are able to see exactly where the catheter is within the heart, and are able to complete the procedures described above.

Some of you may wonder why Samaah has not received her surgery yet. Well, the pulmonary vein obstruction occurred in Samaah’s case which needed to be resolved, and Alhamdulillah has been resolved already. The physicians are just allowing Samaah to recover from this non-invasive procedure before they move onto the open-heart procedure with which they can permanently resolve Samaah’s congenital heart defect. Also, our dear Samaah developed another complication known as pulmonary edema (fluid in her lung space). This complication can be treated medically, and does not require any procedural intervention. Alhamdulillah, the fluid has settled down significantly, and we hope that by tomorrow Samaah will be in a better position to receive the final surgery.

Please continue to remember Samaah, Hassan, and Naila in your duas in this difficult time.

Spoke to Hassan a few moments ago. Sounded a bit sleepy, but he had quite a few updates. Samaah is now slowly beginning to open her eyes more often and her swelling caused by the fluid retention has significantly decreased. Alhamdullilah, this is more good news. She also received her first stuffed animal from one of the amazing nurses at the hospital.

Naila and Hassan are also doing well, but very tired as you can all imagine. The intensity and lack of sleep in the last few days are beginning to catch up to them. And since it is unlikely the surgery will take place today (most probably tomorrow), they will definitely need to regain some energy and prepare themselves for tomorrow's activities. Also, on top of the current situation, the night before last, Hassan discovered his car had a flat tire, Subhan Allah! So he spent some time yesterday following up with that so that they can keep mobile between the hospital and my parents house (about a 15 minute drive). May Allah make this easy for them.

Hassan and Naila do also try to read the blog if they can, so feel free to write any duas or well wishes in the comments section. I'm sure it will help provide the support that they need at this time insha Allah.

Also, Aunty (Hassan's mom) and Sushmita (Hassan's sister) are leaving back to Saskatoon today. From there they will be flying out Bangladesh early tomorrow morning. Originally scheduled to be in Canada for one month, she extended her return flight twice and is now only leaving as her Visa is about to expire. But she is planning to return to Canada to visit Hassan, Naila and Samaah next year insha Allah. Aunty is an amazing woman, Masha Allah. Her patience and sincerity are truly admirable. May Allah make the journey easy for them.

FYI - when Samaah was born she weight 8.1 Lbs Masha Allah!

Just spoke to Hassan and Naila and alhamdullialah, they are in good spirits. Samaah is still connected to a heart and lung machine to help her breath and give her own heart/lungs some time to recuperate and become stronger prior to the surgery insha allah. She is also being nourished by some type of lactose breast milk equivalent and Hassan said she looks much healthier. Most likely the surgery will be taking place on Tuesday or Wednesday. May Allah make that time easy for them.

Hassan was also able to get some extra leave from work, alhamdullilah. His manager was very understanding of the situation and told Hassan to not think about work at all. As for Naila, she's back to making fun of Hassan, so looks like Naila's on track to a speedy recovery, masha Allah.

Please continue to make dua.

The fluid that had developed in Samaah's lungs has subsided, alhamdullilah. Now, the doctors are just waiting for her heart and lungs to get a bit stronger before they perform the surgery. Naila is also doing well. Nurses have checked up on her and she is recovering nicely, masha Allah. Her and Hassan have been able to stay in room right next to the baby's.
My mom (lives in Edmonton) said the baby looks exactly like Naila and has round cheeks perfect for kissing. Can't wait insha Allah.