Family headed home from Lebanon, turmoil









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Pierre and Maya Fayad with their children, Patrick, 5, Marc, 2, and Lynn, 1.

For days, Pierre Fayad, M.D., waited near the phone for news regarding the safety of his family and whether they would be able to leave Lebanon and return to the United States.

Now, he’s counting the minutes when their plane lands in Omaha.

Dr. Fayad’s wife, Maya, and their three children, ages 5, 2, and 1, had traveled to Beirut a month ago to connect with family for a wedding and the birth of Maya’s nephew.

Dr. Fayad, chairman of the UNMC Department of the Neurological Sciences, had planned to leave last Wednesday to meet the family in Lebanon, but his trip was cancelled because of the latest Arab-Israeli conflict.

The bombings in Lebanon, lack of communication and the concern for safety led to much anxiety for both Dr. Fayad and his wife.

On Monday, Dr. Fayad’s concern was replaced with excitement when he learned his wife and children had left Lebanon and Cyprus and were on their way home.

“They are on their way back and will hopefully be in the United States some time tonight,” Dr. Fayad said Monday morning. “The hope is she will be back in Omaha some time Tuesday depending on the flights. It will be quite a joyful moment when I see them.”

Although tears may flow at the family’s reunion, it is OK, Dr. Fayad said, because he knows his family is safe.

Dr. Fayad expressed his appreciation for the concern, support and prayers offered by friends and colleagues at the medical center.