Albanian Boy Gets Good News
From the Shriners Hospital

Randolph’s Green Mountain Gospel Chapel stepped up to help a young Albanian come to America for a life-saving operation several weeks ago.

On April 2, Mirusha and her son, Armondo Xhari of Shenovlash, Durres, Albania, arrived in Randolph Center with missionaries Brent and Carol Lindstrom. The Albanians came hoping for surgery for a severe chest deformity with which seven-year-old Armondo was born.

On April 4, they traveled to the Shriners Hospital in Springfield, Mass. for an evaluation. The Lindstroms reported that, "The hospital provided a translator. The doctor looked at Armondo’s chest and said, ‘Oh, we don’t even need X-rays or scans for this—he definitely needs the operation.’

"He proceeded to tell us how they have perfected this surgical procedure. From the horror story that we were told in Albania, of an eight-hour operation with the possibility of death, to the highly-successful procedure of only an hour, placing two little slices on each side of his ribs, inserting a rod, and inverting it to bring the chest bones to their natural shape and position.

"You could see the exciting change in Merusha’s face when she was told that her son would be fine. The doctor told her that he could not do the operation for about four more years. If they did it now, when he went through his growth spurt, the bones could collapse back in.

"They took 3-D pictures and will keep track of his growth and development through tele-communications. When his size is adequate, they will schedule him for surgery. The metal rod will be inserted and left in for four years, then removed, and he should be fine for the rest of his life.

"We could not praise the Shriners Hospital enough for how they treated the child and his mother," the Lindstroms said. "We are grateful to area residents who gave generously to help this come to pass."

The Lindstroms and their Albanian guests are staying with Bette Lambert.

"If there are any folks who speak Albanian, we would welcome hearing from you," Lambert said. "We get along with lots of hand motions and laughter."

Armondo has had great fun gathering the eggs, toasting marshmallows over a bonfire, playing softball, and his favorite, playing with the dogs.

"It’s amazing, as a part of the church, to be able to extend a helping hand to someone God brings into our lives," said Lambert.