Here is her story:
At the age of 17 Madeeha was diagnosed with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy. Restrictive cardiomyopathy refers to a group of disorders in which the heart chambers are unable to fill with blood properly because of stiffness of the heart. In restrictive cardiomyopathy, the heart is normal in size or only slightly enlarged, but it cannot relax normally during time between heartbeats in which the blood returns from the body to the heart. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is the least common form of cardiomyopathy. Its cause is usually unknown. Symptoms that Madeeha had felt were, excessive tiredness, swelling of her feet and legs, shortness of breath, easily fatigued, and dramatic weight loss. She was hospitalized for two months and was given medication that helped her from feeling these symptoms as much as she did. While the doctors examined her, they realized that she probably had about three years to live.
In 2004 she went to UVA medical center where she went to ask for a heart transplant. She was rejected by UVA because of lack of health insurance. She made her last approach to University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) only to find her insurance was still the problem between heart transplant and organ donor list administered by US Government. She was hospitalized again in early June of this year for shortness of breath. After a few days in the hospital the day she was suppose to get discharged, she was rushed to the CCU (Coronary Care Unit) for again shortness of breath. She was later put on a ventilator and was sedated for several days because of her condition reaching a critical point from fluids filling her lungs. Unfortunately her cardiomyopathy had led her to go into the beginning stages of HF (heart failure). Dr. Shashank Desai (one of the top cardiologists at INOVA Fairfax Hospital that specialized in heart failure) and the heart transplant team had reviewed her case and basically said the only thing that would keep her alive is a heart transplant. She, again, was rejected for a heart transplant because of having no health coverage. While in the CCU her blood pressure was in the low nineties over low fifties, her pulse rate was in the low forties, and weight in the low nineties.
Her current condition as of
July 31st, 2006
She has recovered from the weaknesses of congestive heart failure to a greater extent. However, her heart condition remains the same. We are currently working with University of Virginia Hospital(UVA) and few other hospitals to have her listed for heart transplant. We are proud to belong to a caring and loving community. Our heart goes out to you and all the people who called us and sent their condolences by mail and email. We appreciate all the great support we have received across the globe. We kindly ask for your continued support and prayers that may God shower his blessings on her and keep her in good health.
You can donate money at www.helpmadeeha.com
- Muslim Family in Need- Apartment Caught Fire:
July 4, 2006
Mr. Kamal, his wife Iman and their infant daughter, all three, thank God, had a miraculous escape from the fire in their apartment recently. They are in dire need of financial help as a lot of household things have been destroyed in their apartment.
ISNA Canada is making an appeal to donate for helping this young family so that they can get back on their feet.
Please send your donations to the ISNA Canada Development Foundation (IDF) located at:
**2200 South Sheridan Way, **
Mississauga, Ontario, L5J 2M4
For Direct Deposit, credit the account of:
ISNA - Development Foundation
Transit #: 23262
Bank #: 001
Account #: 1028599
- A tax deductible receipt shall be sent to you for the amount donated for this cause.
For further information, contact Dr. Mohammad Ashraf, Secretary General, ISNA Canada at 905-403-8406 x 205