A Christian from Egypt: Life Story of a Neurosurgeon Pursuing the Dreams for Quintuple Certifications

By Ramsis F. Ghaly MD FACS

This book is my life story, as a Coptic Christian, raised in Egypt. Where no one from my family has ever moved away for thousands of years through the rise and falls of ancient pharaohs and deep roots of ancient Christianity. It is also the story of my parents raising 10 children since 1953 in an environment of extreme poverty where resources and opportunities were limited with unrelenting prejudice towards Christian minorities.

So, I came to the United States, the land of opportunity, and became a prominent American neurosurgeon among the only 4000 active nationwide and the only one nationally and internationally to achieve five board certifications in five acknowledged medical disciplines. I continue to practice and serve the mission set before me. My home land was once prosperous and rich in history. Over the centuries, it joined the downfall of the majority of the developing countries of the world through its economic crises and injustices to many. It was the land for the fathers of early Christians and the foundation for worldwide Christians. Now the Coptic Christians are considered a minority constituting a mere 10% of the population and are joining the exodus of ancient Christians from their native African continent.

This book chronicles my journey from the land of history, the land of my birth, to the land of opportunity, America. It outlines the socioeconomic and political changes that Egypt has seen over the last century.

It is my hope that others may find inspiration and understanding of my culture through reading this book. I owe it all to Christ, the Lord, my cherished parents, my family and friends, my teachers, my mentors, and especially my beloved patients.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499080520

Ramsis F. Ghaly MD FACS

Ramsis F. Ghaly, MD, FACS Professor of Neurological Surgery and Anesthesiology Medical Director of Ghaly Neurosurgical Associates United States Neurological Surgeon and Anesthesiologist Neurointensivist and Pain Management Specialist

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Copyright © 2014 by RAMSIS F. GHALY, MD, FACS.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014918537

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4990-8053-7

                Softcover        978-1-4990-8054-4

                eBook             978-1-4990-8052-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, King James Version, KJV (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 11/20/2014

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Preface

Chapter 1 Reasoning With Myself: Pursue The Dreams

Chapter 2 My Family

Chapter 3 My Parents: My Father And A Tribute To A Great Dad

Chapter 4 My Parents, My Mother (Her Great Tribute Was Written In My Volume III, Last Hour Journey)

Chapter 5 My Parents Marriage And Establishment Of Farid Ghaly Family

Chapter 6 The Early Years

Chapter 7 The Egyptian School System

Chapter 8 My Siblings And I Growing Up In Cairo

Chapter 9 The Early School Years

Chapter 10 Higher Education

Chapter 11 The Coptic Christian Church In Egypt And My Life

Chapter 12 Sunday School And The Influence Of Pope Kyrlos And Shenouda And The Birth Of My Lifetime Vision

Chapter 13 My Coptic Faith Influences My Life

Chapter 14 I Attended Medical School

Chapter 15 I Leave Egypt The First Time

Chapter 16 I Learn About The World; Leaving Egypt For The Second And The Third Time

Chapter 17 I Finish Medical School

Chapter 18 Internship In Egypt, My Final Years In Egypt And Ready For The Lifetime Journey

DEDICATION

To God Almighty, the Lord Jesus Christ, for creating me and lifetime holding my hands and leading me to the pass and gifts that He placed before me

To my deceased mother Sania Mikhael and Father Farid Fahmy Ghaly that dedicated their lives to all of her children and made the ultimate sacrifice, themselves and did not get the chance to see my success in the land of her dreams

To my father and my family that I lift behind for almost three decades

To United States of America and the people that open their arms for me and handed me the opportunities to reach my dreams, without you I will have never have achieved them

To my patients and to all the sick, because of you, I cherish the opportunity to serve, learn and serve even more

To Cook County hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA, my first home and always be, You have given me the opportunity for life to learn and get all my degrees and to serve the indigents and the needy of America

To university of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA, for open your arms to me and grant me the full neurosurgeon training and love to families and patients for life

To all my mentors, teachers, friends and people that open their arms to me and made my life easier

To the unfortunate people that lack the opportunity, keep your hope and work hard to find the land of your dreams

The words cannot express the great appreciation and thankfulness to my Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing better to express my life story and my praise to God well than the 113 and 118 Psalm of David:

Psalm 113 (KJV)

{113:1} Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.

{113:2} Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. {113:3} From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name [is] to be praised. {113:4} The LORD [is] high above all nations, [and] his glory above the heavens. {113:5} Who [is] like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,

{113:6} Who humbleth [himself] to behold [the things that are] in heaven, and in the earth! {113:7} He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; {113:8} That he may set [him] with princes, [even] with the princes of his people. {113:9} He maketh the barren woman to keep house, [and to be] a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 118 (KJV)

{118:1} O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: because his mercy [endureth] for ever. {118:2} Let Israel now say, that his mercy [endureth] for ever. {118:3} Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy [endureth] forever. {118:4} Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy [endureth] for ever. {118:5} I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, [and set me] in a large place. {118:6} The LORD [is] on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? {118:7} The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see [my desire] upon them that hate me. {118:8} [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. {118:9} [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. {118:10} All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. {118:11} They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. {118:12} They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. {118:13} Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me. {118:14} The LORD [is] my strength and song, and is become my salvation. {118:15} The voice of rejoicing and salvation [is] in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. {118:16} The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly. {118:17} I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. {118:18} The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. {118:19} Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, [and] I will praise the LORD: {118:20} This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. {118:21} I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. {118:22} The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner. {118:23} This is the LORD’S doing; it [is] marvellous in our eyes. {118:24} This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. {118:25} Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. {118:26} Blessed [be] he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. {118:27} God [is] the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, [even] unto the horns of the altar. {118:28} Thou [art] my God, and I will praise thee: [thou art] my God, I will exalt thee. {118:29} O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

RAMSIS F GHALY, MD, FACS

PROFESSOR OF NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY AND ANESTHESIOLOGY MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF GHALY NEUROSURGICAL ASSOCIATES UNITED STATES NEUROLOGICAL SURGEON, ANESTHESIOLOGIST, NEUROINTENSIVIST AND PAIN MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

ghallogmedghaly_logoDr. Ghaly's Picture4.jpg

Sania Fouad and Farid Fahmy.

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My beloved parents in 1997 during their last visit in Chicago.

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My mother and great love to the children. She was and our everything. By 1964, in the first 8 years of her marriage, she was already a mother of 6 children. They were all natural births at homes with midwives and using thousands of years of local customs and home remedies. She regained her strength immediately after each pregnancy and she was ready to carry the next child. My parents believed; Children are gifts from God and He will take care of each and open the doors for their future.

PREFACE

Pursuing Dreams: The Spiritual and Professional Journey of a Neurosurgeon.

This is my life story as a Coptic Christian who grew up in an Egypt where there were limited resources and opportunities along with unfairness to minorities, who came to the USA to become one of the few to achieve five board certifications in five known medical disciplines, continuing to practice and serve the mission set before me.

My homeland had a rich ancient history, but over the centuries joined the majority of developing countries in the world in downhill economic crises and a political system that is unjust and unfair to many. It was the land where the fathers of early Christiandom built the foundation for worldwide Christianity. Today Coptic Christians are considered a minority in Egypt and constitute ten percent of the Egyptian population (ten to twenty million). Much of Christian heritage still exists in Egypt today and Egypt still enjoys respect for the richness of its past culture. My dream would be to visit there again, but to live there would be impossible because of the suffocation of ambitious minds that exists.

I was a neurosurgeon for a young patient where the horse kicked her head and caused massive skull fracture and internal brain hemorrhage. I rushed the patient from the emergency room to the operating room bypassing the internal hospital system. The only thing that matters for me was to take the pressure out of her brain and control the hemorrhage. At that time, the hospital accused me for taking a brain dead patient to the operating room. I strongly believed in a statement that I pioneered back then and commonly used today that time is brain and brain is time. Every brain cell will suffocate in each second passing by without immediate surgical and medical correction. The young patient and so many others in the community recovered completely. It was complete surprise not only to the hospital officials and staff but to the entire community. At that time neuroscience management was far behind in the American communities but not as much in the university downtown medicine. Her closed friend Mary Dressage was a Chicago tribune reporter. She could not believe what she saw and the stories of others. One day, she told me a statement that registered since then; everyone has a good story to tell. She is Mary Daniels. Since then, I wrote four series of books listening and writing my patients’ stories and neuroscience care titles Christianity and the Brain Volume I: Faith and medicine and Neuroscience care, Volume II The Brain and illness journey, volume III; The Brain and the Last hour Journey, and volume IV; 100 Patients’ stories of Hope, courage and faith. I believed strongly in science and faith.

In an era shying away from faith, I felt obligated to publish my belief in faith in medicine. I named the best neuroscience treatment is Faith guided Medicine Faith should never be split apart from medicine. Miracles do happen and God is the Almighty healer and best physician and surgeons. In fact there are so many ancient and recent stories where the Christian saints upon patients’ request performed their surgeries. God heal the wound and guide the surgeon. God also correct human errors and redirect the correct therapy. So many times God intervene in the behalf of patients and guide the treatment. I have so many patients that were about to receive wrong treatment or ignored and left to suffer knocking in my door for help after listening to their inner heart and Divine message. Faith does not mean at all exclude science and medicine. It is the opposite, it means blessing in medicine and medicine in blessing. A patient dropped her blood sugar to undetectable hypoglycemia level for hours after surgery. She fell into a coma from severe depletion of the main brain nutrient. Hospital staff believed she would never recover and become vegetative the rest of her life. Her family never accepted and in faith the sister believed that she would wake up. The family placed the bible and open the chapter 14 Jeremiah healing and highlight the verse 14: {17:14} Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou [art] my praise.. How can science and mankind explain her complete recovery other than superhuman power coming from God, Jesus Christ the healer of all of us and the Divine eternal physician?

I flashed back to my high school vision of having strong faith and work hard and learn much and God will bless what I do. My mission statement and logo were born:

My philosophy is "Do your best, learn in depth, care from your heart and let God do the rest."

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I struggled initially to write about my life story, coming from Egypt as a Coptic Christian it is not part of humility to write or talk about yourself. However with the small world we live in and the abundance of social media and communication that made our world small and billions of people connected, I felt sharing my story may be beneficial to many, the good and the bad. As I started writing the book, I began to realize the foundation of my life and my purpose in life. I saw hands of God in taking me from my hand step by step during my upbringing. I had so many questions and I began to find their answers especially why things happened in certain ways. My eyes opened wide and as memories getting expressed in written format, my eyes dripped with tears and my heart with remorse. I lost my mother earlier in 2005; I hurried up and get closer to my dad. I interviewed my dad for 6 months and he was so proud to tell me about his story and what he had done. Some I was aware and many I was not aware. In my last interview with him Christmas of 2012, both he and I felt closer and good reason to publish the book. In less than three months, my dad passed away. I felt more than ever to publish their life story. I could not imagine the world without my parents and family. But more importantly, I could not imagine generations to come will not be aware of my parents and entire Fouad and Ghaly families and upbringing. I became far serious to accomplish my parents and my life stories to be shared with the world and they become the Ghaly (my father and his generations and roots) and Foaud (my mother and her generations and roots) legacy forever.

My journey in neuroscience coincided with the birth of modern neuroscience and revolutionary impact in its development. It was the blooming time for science and neuroscience in particular. Throughout the years, I saw the exponential growth in knowledge in the field of Neuroscience. Back in late 1960’s and the beginning of 1970’s that mankind witnessed the expansion in knowledge. Neuroscience back then in my early days was watch and see and nothing else could be done. I felt the unresistable desire to dedicate my life to neuroscience and its patients. I learned what the best that Egyptian medicine could teach me and it was not enough and no one could stop me. I demanded and persevered for more. I risked everything I have and I left my entire family and friends behind to pursue my Nobel cause that was placed before me. In the beginning of my medical career during medical school, the field was considered sophisticated and intimidated. In addition most of my classmates and others found the field with no interest. There was dissatisfaction in regard to the results of surgery in the brain and the spine. Unlike other bodily surgeries where patients are awake and doing well after surgery. The neurosurgery patients were paralyzed, comatose and not with it. It was depressing to make rounds in these patients. But it made me more interested to reach these patients, try to understand their condition, talk to them even in silence. Many nights and days since medical school years, I would look, listen and touch them and communicate with them even in the spirit. It was unilateral communication and almost wireless throughout the unseen circuits of the universe. Neuroscience patients were paralyzed, comatose and left to die in suffering. It was a common knowledge that if a patient underwent a spine surgery, the patient would end by being paralyzed the rest of your life. Similarly, if the patient underwent brain surgery, he or she would definitely end by being in coma, personality disorder, and cognitive dysfunction and became crazy. Furthermore, the neuroscience care is exhausting, lengthy and depends on the availability of resources and quality skilled dedicated team.

Not only, had we realized recently that the brain is the master mind in each living cell but each cell has a mind and life as well. Each cell represents a city with fascinating organization. The technology made us go microscopically into the neuronal cell. The science moved further to ultra-cell structures, the nano-technology. The recent research identified the operational system in each cell; regulators, inhibitors and commands. The neurological illness looked at from the ultracelluar structure change. Not only our intention to understand the neurological illness and provide treatment but also how to prevent them. In fact, science started to clone genes and promote cell cultures and neuronal factor growth. No longer have neuronal cell had no generation capabilities but they also could replicate, clone and regenerate once again. The field is in ongoing progress. The neurosurgery is performed using the microscope, magnified lenses and superb light source magnifying the operative field looking closely to the neuronal tissue. The image-guided surgery, the robotic and computerized equipment were introduced to neurosurgery over the last three decades. I was so fortunate to witness the development in each of the areas in neuroscience. I am so proud to share with the readers, my lifetime documentary and autobiography in Egypt in volume I and in America in volume II.

During my neuroscience journey from 1970’s till today, I fought the good fight with hospitals and healthcare organizations. I demanded the best for each neuroscience patient. I never give up in a single life regardless of how grim the condition looked. Early one, I cared for so many patients through aggressive and tireless care and recovered from advanced neuroscience illnesses and were told otherwise by many. The present book addresses my neuroscience journey, my passion to neuroscience patients and more of their stories. My write up started back in 2007 when I completed the first volume of my series Christianity and the brain. Each volume I, II, III and IV had neuroscience patients’ stories written.

I was and still am reluctant to publish my autobiography. I initially refused and disregarded the idea of it, until good friends approached the subject with a different perspective, one that I at first had overlooked. Many important events are happening in the Middle East today. Globalization and social media has brought countries closer and perhaps one day the entire world will be like the USA, a melting pot of people living under the same Pledge of Allegiance and Declaration of Independence, a land of opportunity for the people and by the people. I will not view myself as a writer, but as a common man who wishes to share his story and views. I spent close to fifty years in schooling, research and reading. I loved reflection and daily fantasies.

Book I is focused primarily in my journey since I was born back in 1957 at Cairo, Egypt. After I finished writing volume I, I realized that it is the story of my parents with ten children. I presented Egypt not only as our home country but also as our Coptic Christian Orthodox home since Saint Mark breached Alexandria during the Roman Empire in the first century. I outlined so many of cultural habits and Christian ancient rituals. I was born and raised in poverty but rich in values and Christian faith. My parents taught us nothing is impossible for God and we could one day reach the top and become top doctors and healers. My mother raised my sisters to become one day far better than her in gaining independence in a society where women could not go school, work, vote or go anywhere without their husbands signature. It is a story of pursuing the dreams and overcoming the impossible. We had seen it all and till today I will not how did we overcome the obstacles and hardship; the sickness, the poverty, the Christian persecution and the extreme declining in socioeconomic. It is all because of grace of God and His protection and mercy to His children. As I saw the recent events of the Middle East and rise in Egypt and other Middle East, I wanted to present to the world Egypt as I know. As I saw the gradual islamization of Africa including Egypt, I realized that I must show Egypt as the home of ancient Christians and martyrs and the refugee land of the Jews and convent people of God.

I fell in love with the brain and the nervous system. I believed early on it is the human treasure that God have given to His children and human race. During my anatomy classes, the nervous system appeared complex and so difficult and many of us felt intimidated. I established my cause in the second year of medical school and I prayed that God make me closer to the brain that He created. I fantasized about putting together Faith and Neuroscience and tie them together. I confront my challenger the brain and kneeled with humility to its power and potentials. I further developed passion for neuroscience patients since medical school. They were all left to die back in 1970’s in Egypt. Once I graduated from medical school and completed internship and military duty, I reached a dead wall. I could not pursue any of my dreams and my only hope was America. I did not have a relative or anyone to help me. Entering to America was not easy. It took me five years till I finally was boarding a TWA airplane heading to America, my dream land and my next home. This concluded my Books I II and III about to start. It is a story of so many people raised in developing countries and wished to pursue the dreams. There are so many similar stories and even much stronger.

Book II and III is focused in my journey in America and in healthcare. Until today I remember my first day arriving to New York airport and watching the magnificent country of the world USA. I was so shocked and lost. I perhaps cannot find the words to express the way I should. I started from ground zero and in 30 years of struggle, determination and perseverance I reached my dreams and became a recognized American Professor in some of the most difficult medical and surgical disciplines. I was lost in the streets of Chicago and my dreams were not to be found. Many people including my home country people laughed about what I wanted to be. The good people were small in number and their services were even limited. But they were irreplaceable and instrumental in my success. I met the good and the bad and no one to guide me or filter the good from bad. I was lost and no longer get a free advice. My comfort around me I left them back home and I am here all alone. I came from thousands of miles away and completely different culture. I tried to find commonalities but they were few and many were misunderstood. I prayed to my lord Christ every day and I worked hard as many people will do pursuing their dreams. Day after day and I saw no hope. I did not realize that each day pass, it was a plus and more in my resume. Door after another started to open. When I came to America I said to myself if my hometown did not give me the opportunity, other countries should do the same and anything in addition is a gain for me. In fact, early on, I asked of myself to work hundred folds in order to be accepted for a position or a job in America or any other foreign land. The hardship was not without blessing and for me it was a joy because I came from a land with no opportunity. The minute I smelled an opportunity and I hold so tight and I worked so hard to keep knocking doors till I was able to obtain the full qualifications and certifications in five American boards; Neurological Surgery, Anesthesiology, Pain Management, Neuro-Intensive Care and Independent medical examiner. I published so many articles and books. I was finally awarded the professorship of neurological surgery and anesthesiology at UIC, Chicago, USA.

I owed to Chicago, Illinois, my home state; it took me and made me who I am. Without Cook County hospital and University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), I will not achieve what I have achieved today. I was rejected by so many others and I had submitted thousands of applications and got denial one after another. I had no shoulder to hold on and many opportunistic took advantage. But all made me stronger and accomplished so much in limited time. I came from a home living with my parents and surrounded by caring family and for my dreams I was thrown in the streets alone in the most dangerous neighborhood. I had never realized tortuous roads ahead. I had no family. While I was writing this part of the story, I wanted people to look around them and perhaps they come across somebody like me that wanted the Good Samaritan. It was not the church; it was not the social organization. It was not charity groups. The people that needed help are away from our sight. They are in places that no one dares to live. The people in need cannot find their ways to churches, social organizations or charity groups. These charity groups need to search for the needy and find and protect the lost ones. The good Samaritan went and found the sick and healed his wounds. When finally I could knock the door of these organizations, they denied helping me. The only one that never denied me or left me is my Lord, Jesus Christ, the savior of the world. I would pray to Him and talk one to one every minute and second.

As I became quintuple board certified and well established neurosurgeon and anesthesiologist, I asked how many people like me if they just get the opportunity. Where would I be if United States closed its door to me? One fact I know very well without United States, I would have accomplished nothing. I had no future back in Egypt. I remembered my mother words while she was crying and tears running in her eyes, she said; you must leave Egypt and go to find your future. There is no future for you her Then she said; it is hard from me to see my own kids and my flesh leave and be away from my sight but I cannot be selfish She continued saying; I brought you all up to stand in your feet but I must let you go search for your future, my selfishness cannot stand in front of your dreams. She then completed by saying I do not have somebody to care for you or check in you but I will pray for God to send the good people in your way and send the bad ones away from you, go God with you Because of the love of my parents and the dreams they put in us, five children left Egypt and pursued their dreams in Europe and America. The eight children and grand children, God blessed them so much. I am sure because of the good seeds of my parents of 7000 years from the blessed country of Egypt and my parent’s prayers day and night in front of the King of kings and the Lamb of God, the Christ the Lord.

As I continued to pursue my medical and neuroscience dreams in United States, I came across new set of challenges. From competition I became prolific, from diversity I became understanding, and from the adversaries I became stronger. By then I worked in several healthcare systems. By 2007, I worked in eight healthcare systems including national, social, government, university, and private full employment, partly employed and complete independent. I was placed in good position to present my views and experiences in these systems. Healthcare talks continued to be one of the hottest issues in United States and worldwide. Understandingly so, there are so many people are living now longer and the healthcare cost rise higher and higher. I realized that Book II and III is timely to address mine and many others’ concerns. The concepts and essentials of healthcare for humans are losing the values. Technology -operated medicine should not universally take over patient-centered hands-on medicine. I started when healthcare was all about saving lives and new medical and surgical discoveries, and not about cut costs and be smart businessmen and average doctors. With my 30 years of full dedication to medicine, I came across so many patients’ care management issues and concerns. I love so much patient’s care and in particular neuroscience patients. As so many physicians, I went to medicine for patients. Each healthcare system has the good and bad. Medicine is a sacred job and it is about service and not business. Medicine is about healing and not about obstacles to healing. But it is about patients and skilled and cared doctors and nursing working with smart technology for the best of the patients. It is not about business and enforces healthcare industry as one of the giant corporate. By 2014, I realized that my book was not only accomplishing my dreams in America, the great land of opportunity but also about my healthcare journey and views.

What should I say! Thank you to United States for opening the doors to me, to the mentors and to the patients that I love most? It was not without a price, I lost my parents and their ten siblings of each. By the time, I accomplished my dream they were gone. I miss them so much and I felt I let them down and I know I did. I could have done better. But I have them in my heart every day and because of them I am pursuing the dreams. It was their dreams as well. I feel them more and more as I am getting older and closer to completion of my journey. As we say in my church, they are in the victorious church of heaven and we are in the church facing the tribulation of the world.

As a disclaimer, the book of two volumes represents my personal views, opinions and insights and your discretion is advised. They are my personal thoughts and not the thoughts of others. I hope for the readers to take the good and learn from the bad. I apologize to so many of you who will view my strong opinions as negative. I have much of passion for neuroscience and patients’ care.

As I completed both volumes and memories of life story and my entire family, I will encourage each of you to do the same. It is a great reflection to who we are and the great nature of humanity in us. It provides explanation to so many questions and establish out foundation and purpose in life. Most importantly, It made me closer to my Lord Jesus Christ who I saw His hands in everyday of my life. It got me closer to my family and made me appreciate and love people even more. I felt so blessed and proud to express the legacy of my inheritance of 7000 years, everyone raised and born in Egypt. The book made Egypt and America one country under one God despite the fact that in the past leaving your home was considered unfaithful to your country. It put closure to so many hard feelings and disappointments. It gave me strength to move forward in my life and look for tomorrow since I wrote about the past and I experiences yesterday. The two volumes represent joy and peace to hand our history to the generations to come. I ask for your prayers and love and to find the book of no offence to no one and to fulfill the good cause.

Thank you to my parents, siblings, friends, all family members, staff, teachers and mentors, patients, my home country Egypt and my new home United States. I will be forever grateful.

Respectfully

Ramsis F Ghaly, MD, FACS

HIGHLIGHTS

My medical and neurosurgical qualifications as follows:

• A COPTIC CHRISTIAN WITH EXTREME PASSION TO NEUROSCIENCE. I LEFT EGYPT FOR MY DREAMS AND ESCEPE THE PERSECUTION

• DID MOST OF MY TRAINING AND FOREVER GRATEFUL TO COOK COUNTY AND UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO FOR 30 YEARS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.ghalyneurosurgeon.com AND www.ghalyneuroscience.com

MEDICAL AND NEUROSURGICAL TRAINING:

• GRADUATED FROM AIN SHAMS UNIVERSITY, CAIRO, EGYPT

• NEUROPHYSIOLOGY FELLOWSHIP AND RESEARCH (986)

• NEUROTRAUMA FELLOWSHIP AND RESEARCH (1987)

• ANESTHESIOLOGY AND CRITICAL CARE RESIDENCY (1990)

• NEUROANESTHESIOLOGY FELLOWSHIP (1991)

• NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY RESIDENCY (1995)

• PAIN MANAGMENT (1997)

• NEUROCRTICAL CARE (2008)

• INDPENEDENT EXAMINER (2008)

AMERICAN BOARD CERTIFICATIONS ON QUINTUPLE DISCPLINES:

1) NEUROSURGERY

2) ANESTHESIOLOGY

3) NEUROCRITICAL CARE

4) PAIN MANAGEMENT

5) INDEPENDENT MEDICAL EXAMINER

• PROFESSOR OF ANESTHESIOLOGY AT UIC (2010)

• PROFESSOR OF NEUROSURGERY AT UIC (2012)

• ACTIVE PRACTICE IN ANESTHERSIOLOGY, NEUROANESTHESIOLOGY AND PAIN SINCE 1991

• ACTIVE PRACTICE NEUROSURGEON SINCE 1995

• AUTHOR AND RESEARCHER FOR HUMDREDS OF PUBLICATIONS

THANK YOU TO ALL MY MENTORS, TEACHERS AND PATIENTS OVER THE THREE DECADES

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One of the greatest fascinations worldwide and unique about being from Egypt is the history of the Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs and the Egyptian Hieroglyphics. Egypt name derived from the home of the ka (soul) of Ptah, the name of a temple to the god Ptah at Memphis. It is a country of thousands of year’s heritage due to the flow of the Nile River, with its fertile banks and delta. The earliest Neolithic culture settled around the Nile valley and desert Oases, forming the first agriculture and later modern centralized society. As an Egyptian, we feel honored carrying the longest history of first civilization of our universe (3100-332BC). The famous Sahara desert was formed in 8000BC during the pre-dynastic era. My dad joined so many of the Christian Copts of Egypt to be proud and named some of his children with Pharaohs names Ramesses, Ahmos, Isis and he wanted to name Tutankhamen, and Cleopatra. From a very young age, we lived as part of the big pharaoh family, we knew pharaohs’ names and places. We visited and lived close to the historical dynasties places in upper Egypt, Luxor/Laksar, Aswan, Memphis, Thebes, Karnak, and Abu Sombl. We drank from the ancient Nile river believed that we are the descendants of them and last thousands of years were passed by quickly" Our heritage culture is so rich and alive with so many sightseeing till today including the greatest pyramids of Giza, great Sphinx, Tombs, and royal dynasties and kings. The Egyptian Christians name their children with Pharaohs names and Christian saints such as Boutros and Mark. My parents had already prepared great names for each of the ten children, the Pharaohs (3), the Christian saints from old (Abraham and Swason) and New Testament (1), recent leader Gamal and meaning of justice (Adel).

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My Parent

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My lovely parents in 1997.

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After completion of medical school, neurosurgery residency and passing the American Boards, I was awarded to be a fellow of the American college of surgeons with formal celebration in downtown Chicago.

I consider the operating room as a sacred place, the patient is in the center; covered with sterile drapes and protected with multiple Cushing’s, to the left is the anesthesiologist administering the anesthetic drugs and provide full monitoring, to the right is the neurosurgeon working on the nervous system, the circulating, scrub and assistant staff providing and ensuring the medical and surgical care. At the conclusion, the goal is always to have an awake patient and cure to his or her neurosurgical problem. The atmosphere is high alert and readiness. There is so much that training behind the scene to produce a Neurosurgical team.

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CHAPTER 1

REASONING WITH MYSELF: PURSUE THE DREAMS

The book is about my life story, as a Coptic Christian rose in Egypt, in an environment with limited resources and opportunities and unfairness to minorities to come to USA and become one of the few who achieved five board certifications in five known medical disciplines and continue to practice and serve the mission set before me. My home land once in the past was rich in history but over centuries joined the majority of developing countries of the world in a downhill economic crises and injustice and unfairness to many. It was the land for the fathers of early Christians and foundation for worldwide Christians to now the Coptic Christians are considered minority and constitutes 10% of the population (10-20millions). Many of the Christian in heritage still exist until today. Egypt still, however, enjoys respect and richness in the culture and dream to visit but life becomes impossible to live and suffocation to ambitious minds.

I was and still reluctant to publish my biography. I refused initially and made the disregard this idea completely until the good friends approached the subjective in a different way that I have looked initially. Many things are happening in the Middle East and globalization and social media have made us closer and perhaps one day the entire world be like USA, a melting pot with the same Pledge of Allegiance and Declaration of Independence in an equal opportunity land for the people and to the people. Some of the reasons that encouraged me to write this book;

FOR THE WRITERS:

First, It is a healthy way to identify yourself and know who you are. It is a quality time with yourself and go to the depth of your thoughts, past, present and future.

Second, It strengthen your personal relationship with God, your creator and deepen His position in your heart.

Third, It is a great way to surface your purpose in life and review your missions.

Fourth, it establishes your path in life and your vision for the future

Fifth, it provides the writer and the people involved in the story great understanding of their life journey and the divine intervention. It answers some of the personal questions such as why things occurred in the way they did and what had happen if they were not? and many more–. It provides explanations of earlier incidents by seeing later incidents. It answers many unanswered questions. It helps you to know that everythings happen for a reason.

Sixth, It is never too late to change or redirect your life path. It wakes you up and asks you what you are doing. As I was writing my story, it helped me to draw some new objectives for my future. It also helped me to correct many misunderstandings and appreciate and recognize more people and incidents that I have not done.

Seventh, it helps you to acknowledge people in your life and to outreach many others.

FOR THE READERS:

First, it is to inspire all people to write their own story. Imagine that we live in a world and everyone writes his or her own story, approved and acknowledged while we are living. It is true statement that no matter where you are and who you are, you have a good story to tell. But also, it is true that we learn from each story volumes regardless from who and where.

Second reason is I hope to stimulate the future generations to learn from my story, to do better and learn from my mistakes.

Third, I wish for everyone anywhere in the world to follow their lifetime dream regardless of how much obstacles, troubles and disappointment you face. Never loss hope, one door close and another close and continue to be grime, in the last eleventh hour, one door will open similar to my story.

Fourth, America is indeed a land of opportunity and if the door had never open to me I will not have achieved the dreams of my life and befit thousands of people. People who appreciate most America are the people who came from a land with limited freedom and opportunity and experienced first hand live with restricted choices.

Fifth, do not let the idea that you will achieve best by being close to your home town and in the comfort environment, going away, overseas and be taken away from your family and friends may will be the best for your talents.

Sixth, a human brain is trainable and human body can accommodate much if you train it well at youth time. It is my belief that "with dedication comes excellence and with designation comes quality". Some of my other selfish reasons to present you with Egypt as I know and to the world as a Christian country with rich history of the orthodox Christian and theological believes that at some point in history if it was not because of the Church of Alexandria and the pope of the Coptic (Egypt) church, the Christian orthodox faith will have been lost.

I will not view myself as a writer but as a common man wish share his views. I did not go school to learn how to write books but I spend close to 50 years in schooling and research and reading. I loved reflection and daily fantasies. I felt the urge and the gift to write my thoughts. I asked God for His grace and mercy. Early on, I was in the sense of unbelief that I could write but step by step I did so slowly. The write up became essential over the years as I saw the deep desire to share and the need to express my views, thoughts and understanding common problems and daily living. But also, I needed to share and inspire. As my thoughts and views became formulating and the lack of voice your views and the feeling that no one is listening to my views or care about reaching me, and the close doors of media. It was and still for me to reach people on the tope to communicate to or convey ideas and thoughts. I could access well known people that will have made it easy to express and share. Understandably, contact information of authorities are not available, many screening and gait keeping filtering prevent from accessibility to the desired people. The media is not as used to be, it is owned and directed not by the common people but by third party who is interest is profitability and being off the hands on the intimidated attorney and what its comes with being sued even if just an intimidation with no case. The feeling got stronger each day. Interestingly, what you feel stronger about is what you want people to know about it. The mission of sharing is a great one without which people may never know about others and ideas may never be shared and became reality. My series of all the five books are written from my own thoughts and reflection and was not influenced by other books or authors. I have put all my thoughts since I was growing up till today. It is also based in first hand observation and experiences from patients, public, and various clinical and academic work. Many are live patient’s stories and people who I cared for and talk to. It is first hand and not second hand experiences. Each book took about two years to put the words together. In a daily schedule, my mind search and observe and question things and try to look behind the scene to the root causes. I will write a sticky notes and save them in special files, write book notes and talk to different people in different days with different sceneries. The write up varied from direct typing in my laptop computer to actual writing by a pen in in notes and papers. Each day comes with different view and different look at things. I did use the value of time and cumulate each day as it come with its thoughts. In fact, one of the powerful ways is to sleep with the idea or the question ands let your mind wonder and your brain will find the answer you were looking for. It is especially in the early morning as you are wakening up. Some days, I find my mind in the mood to write and many thoughts are coming and you need to write them quickly and some days you feel that the thoughts are not formulating and you are not in the mood to write..

Why we all not one nation and be in the world of dreams in peace, prosperity and superior health? Why opportunities are not equally distributed among all people? Why human gifts are not equally appreciated and brought to use among all people? Why unfairness and prejudice continued at the twenty one century and allowed? Why one country is fare healthier than another? Globalization and widespread of information technology and freedom of press are all well established, yet the world is so divided and human rights are not respected and prosperity of people is not equally gained

As I was growing up, I witness what it means to be helpless, voiceless and handicapped with the corrupted power. I was lift to internally getting quenched and tears when a door can open. I tried like many other growing Christian college students to turn things to be at least tolerable and it was impossible. I found myself consuming my energy into negativism. Soon, I realized like many others that time pass quickly and before I know it, my years are old and achieved little. Yet, I had my deep love and desire for medicine and academic scholarly vision that persisted and kept into my deep roots. I consecrated my days and nights indoors to study, learn by heart and observe. Since I did not have resources, I fantasized about my life dreams and waiting to be reality. There was no other way out except coming to America. I looked at the world and praised God that in His world structured other nations with superior human rights and ties. I thank God for Him being the Lord of all the nations and not just one country and Yes I can take Him and he can be with me in the farthest places on earth. The love that our Lord Jesus Christ is giving us is limitless and unconditional. His love spreads to include the entire universe and all people. We all people of the entire world under one God, are born from one father Adam and one mother Eve and connected and interconnected globally with each other and bound with His love and love that transmits from one to another as one global nation.

My dream joined all my college friends dream to come to USA and my adventure started with no help from ground zero as if a child was aborted in different culture and found himself alone. As I struggle to come to USA and begin to explore the new land and boarded into the boat, I remembered an American movie titled boat with no return that I had seen back in Egypt as I prepared to take my first overseas fight to America, the land of everyone dreams and as everyone knows; the land of opportunity and freedom. No matter what I have done to prepare, they are all not even close to the reality of USA. The image is so great and the culture is so different that the transition will never be easy and the adaptation will take time. In this humble story, I came with medical school diploma to a land with no one to know, to become the only physician and surgeon uniquely qualified in five medical disciplines and be American board certificated in all five and met all the training for these and continue to serve the people. It is indeed, God was and is with me He said; And behold I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest (Gensis 28:15)

It is not unusual to one day you go to another country and leave everything behind. Look in the genesis when the world was created and only limited people living and was so empty that God ask Abraham to leave his town; {12:1} Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: {12:2} And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: {12:3} And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. {12:4} So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram [was] seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. {12:5} And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. (Genis 12:15).

With traveling, blessing comes and God messages comethrough in addition to unity and globalization occurs. Look at Joseph when immigrated to Egypt by force and all Isreals moved to Egypt. What a coincidence to