A Life-Saving Procedure
Today, Ghazi Makkwaishri poses for a shot outside of Philadelphia International Medicine offices for his final meeting with his patient services representative, Rema Alrabadi.
Ten years ago, Ghazi was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a disease where lung tissue becomes scarred and thick. In 2014 his specialist in Saudi Arabia informed him that he wouldn’t survive longer than a year. After this diagnosis Ghazi and his family along with the Saudi Embassy began searching for the best lung department in the United States. After weighing the lung centers with the best possible outcomes, Ghazi made the decision to travel to Philadelphia, PA, USA to Temple University Hospital’s lung center.
After weighing the lung centers with the best possible outcomes, Ghazi made the decision to travel to Philadelphia, PA, USA to Temple University Hospital’s lung center.
Ghazi Makkwaishri pictured outside of Philadelphia International Medicine offices
Ghazi and his son pose for a photo together before leaving Philadelphia
Ghazi arrived in Philadelphia in April 2016 via an air ambulance requiring 10 liters of oxygen and was immediately admitted to the hospital. After a brief waiting period, Ghazi received his double lung transplant in October 2016 by Dr. Yoshiya Toyoda.
Going into the transplant felt…silent. I let my belief in God take over and became less nervous...
Ghazi’s son recalled the night that they received the call, “We were sitting down eating pizza at 2 in the morning when a call from a private number came through. They told us to come for the transplant. Dad was in shock and had to sit down.”
“Going into the transplant felt…silent. I let my belief in God take over and became less nervous,” signed Ghazi. His faith in God and his confidence in his doctor and his team made going into the procedure easier.
It has been a long recovery for Ghazi, but he and his family are so grateful for the support from The Temple Health and Philadelphia International Medicine team.
Ghazi and his son are grateful for the support from the teams at Temple Health and PIM
