Cheesta

We finally bid a tearful and fond farewell to our dear and sweet Cheesta.  She had spent 76 days here in the United States with us – one of the longest stays of any of our patients.  And with her bright and sparkling personality and her 40 unbearable days in ICU....we fell in love with her....above and beyond any of our other wonderful children....if that is possible.

As you recall, our miracle girl came to us thanks to Dr. Amir Mehbod....Iranian-American spine surgeon, who had first met her in Iran. Having determined surgery in Iran would be impossible....and her life expectancy was being reduce by the day with the pressure put on her lungs and other internal organs by her distorted spine....Dr. Mehbod approached FCI.  We gladly accepted the challenge.  After a few months Cheesta and her mom arrived. 

Dr. Mehbod also recruited his senior partner, nationally recognized spine surgeon and scoliosis expert, Dr. Jon Lonstein...incidentally this is not the first patient Dr. Lonstein has graciously operated on completely free of charge for the FCI.  After many hours of testing and consultations....a surgical plan was agreed to with Mom.  (You can actually see some of the footage of the activities in a news report done by the ABC affiliate on our website.)

What followed was by all measures a "brilliant surgery".  The recovery, however, took a lot longer.  Her poor little body, suffering from years of distortion and malnutrition was having a difficult time recovering.

But with the help of the wonderful nurses, therapists, doctors and many friends at Gillette Children's Hospital....she was finally discharged by Drs. Lonstein and Mehbod to go home to Iran.

This is always the most gratifying and bittersweet moment of our journey with our children.  As Cheesta and her Mom came to the Foundation office to say goodbye....the many volunteers gathered around with gifts, love and kisses, and yes - a few tears....

Farewell sweet Cheesta....don't forget your therapy, eat well....take your protein powder, study well, write to us, remember you are the future of Iran....invite us to your college graduation....take care of your mother...she is a good mother....keep smiling.

And then to the airport and on to NY into the loving arms of Mr. & Mrs. Mirian and the rest of the chain of hope that carries them back to Iran and their home.....including NSF & my dearest....and the Ts....every link in the chain gives strength and courage to us and to the families of these children.

So ....thank you all.  Or as little Ali once said "Barikalah....you all succeeded!"....again.


Remembering Cheesta
This 3-minute video captures some images of the time Cheesta spent with us.
(For best playback, pause the video and let the gray progress bar at the bottom fill all the way to the right before playing again.

Cheesta stops in for a visit to the FCI offices

Cheesta is out of the hospital and is doing very well. She goes to physical therapy every day and rides a stationary bike at her home away from home in Minnesota. She’ll be seeing Drs. Lonstein and Mehbod on July 16th, and they’ll decide what’s next in her recovery. She stopped by the FCI offices recently, and we had the opportunity to take these photos.

   

   

Cheesta is walking!

As the touching video below shows, Cheesta is now walking...and standing upright, and she will be released from the hospital very soon.  Also view KSTP's latest news story update about Cheesta by clicking here.

Cheesta completes 4 surgeries...

KSTP's 1st News Story about Cheesta below...

Now out of  PICU, she has begun the long recovery process with excellent prognosis thanks to Drs. Lonstein, Mehbod and the entire team at Gillette Children's Hospital.      

To the left, Dr. Lonstein, Cheesta & Dr. Mehbod before surgery

Below, see precious Cheesta after her various surgeries. She was placed on a ventilator as she could not breath on her own.  When these photos were taken she had many weeks in PICU until she completed her many operations (which she now has come through brilliantly!) and she will soon be fitted with a brace to keep her fused vertebrae in place for 4-6 months until they are healed enough to stay in place on their own. 

                 

Hang in there Cheesta!