Medicals

Today we took six of the children to the Xian Hospital to have their medical information updated for adoption. A man from the Orphanage met us there. It was wonderful to be a part of their adoption process. Although it was sad to see them go through all the poking and prodding and to be in such a strange place…called the Hospital. Amanda warned us before going in DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING and if you need to use the washroom HOLD IT! I asked Amanda once their medical information is updated and their dossier ready how long does it take for a child to end up on an Agency’s list. I was excited to see that things were moving forward. Apparently it can still take up to 10 months. Once the orphanage gets everything together the information is sent to the Province and then on to CCAA.

We took Sean, Olivia, Rachel, Antoinette, Nathaniel and Jeannie. They were unbelievable!!! We left Starfish at 7:30 a.m. and did not get back until 12:30 p.m. They had nothing to eat until 11:30!!! I don’t know how they did it. No melt downs until they had their blood taken at 11:00. What an experience. I was starving and I had a little breakfast. When we receive Mary Anne’s medical I will now have a good idea what she went through.

As before seeing the hospital was an experience. This was a different hospital than the one I went to for Cailean’s MRI. This one was just as bad. The babies did not just see one physician we had to walk around to every specialty and WAIT! There is no such thing as Family Physicians in China! First we had to wait one hour outside the front door while the man from the Orphanage went to register the babies. We started at the Eye Doctor. Actually, initially we went to a few different specialities to see where the wait was shorter. That entailed walking up and down stairs a ton of times. After the Eye Doctor we went to the Ear/Nose and Throat Doctor, then onto the Chest/Lung Doctor, then onto a Doctor who assesses their function, then onto the Dentist and then the blood work!! I did not realize they take blood from a vein in their neck. I had to lie Sean down on a bed, with his head hanging over the end of the bed and hold his arms and legs while the nurse drew blood. Another waiting Mother helped me by holding Sean’s head to the side so the nurse could administer the needle. I had Sean the entire morning. He is 11 kg. and we had no carrier or stroller! My arms are killing me. He was so good. He had no problem letting everyone check him out and he even napped in between. The medical system in this Country is SOOO different. We once again drew a lot of attention and even had some followers. One guy came up to Amanda and offered money for Jeannie!! Sean is healthy as are all the other babies. Some of the Doctors did not do the best check up….for example the “function guy” did nothing accept check the boxes. BUT the Ear/Nose and Throat Lady got right in there. It was neat witnessing the check ups and all the forms. I was able to hold Sean as each Doctor did their check-up. Oh and Sean had a bloody nose the entire morning.

When I returned from the hospital I immediately showered and threw my clothes in the wash. Amanda has reassured me that although Shanghai may not be clean it is cleaner and better than the Xian Hospital. Shanghai Children’s Centre is also one of the top hospitals in the Country. I can’t believe I will be spending approximately 10 days there!!!! Our flight to Shanghai is booked. We leave at 12:05 p.m. on November 1.
I also asked Amanda how the bathroom is at the hospital. Her comment was “oh no problem we can clean it!” J I think I am in for a shock.

Right now I have Cailean with me in my apartment. He is sick so hopefully he can get better rest here where it is quiet. He has about 4 to 5 days to get better. Say a prayer for him and also that I do not get sick.

Photos from the day at the Xi’an Hospital:

Waiting outside the Hospital at 7:30 a.m.

Olivia, Sara and Nanny

Nathaniel and Nanny

Jeannie

Rachel, Amanda and ENT

Hallway in the Hospital

Sean and Me