Roller Coaster

We had a roller coaster weekend.  I did not hear from the pediatrician's office on Friday and found out that I needed to know by Saturday at 3:30 if we would accept the referral. 

I emailed Xiaoqing from our agency and told her that I had not heard from our doctor's office and we would need to turn down the referral since we did not get our Dr's opinion.  I also asked if we could get an extension or was there some way of getting a little more time in deciding if this little guy would be a part of our family.  If there wasn't we would understand and have to let the file go back.

Our biggest concerns were is this little guy healthy enough to make it here, could we get him the help that he needs, and would he be ok for surgery, if needed?

X called us on Friday night to talk with us and tell us that she felt this was a really good file for us.  She had found it on the shared list (a list that all adoption agencies that work with China can go to find children for their families).  It is pretty much first come first serve.  This child's file was sent to another agency to begin with and they did not match him with a family and after 2 months, the file was returned to the shared list.  X saw the file and grabbed it for us.  Families had to be LID to accept it, which means your paper work is in China already.

After X's suggestion and encouragement we decided that we would send in our LOI (letter of intent).  This document states that we wish to adopt this little guy, that we would care for him as our son, have him evaluated by doctors, and get medical treatment for him.  I can't remember everything that is on it.  I think it was about 1 am on Friday night that I typed it (copying the sample she sent me).  I did mean everything that was on there!

X did recommend that I send the document to a physician that reviews international referrals (children's records).  I sent it on Saturday and waited to hear from him on Sunday.

On Sunday, I thought I would have all the reassurance that I would need and know that this is what we are going to do.  I did not get that.  I was told that we should get updated measurements, developmental evaluation, echo cardiogram, and photos.  Since the documents where from May 2012, we don't know if his condition had worsen or if he was growing like he should be.

His medical condition is a 10 mm VSD, which is a whole between the two lower chambers of his heart.  The size is in the middle where it can be easily be fixed and it could be a little more difficult.

With the warnings from the physician that reviewed his documents, I was concerned, was this the one for us?  Was this our son?

I went online trying to find out some more information.  Not just about hearts but the area when this little guy is from and could I find anything out about him.  Well, I did find out more...He has had heart fixed!  His paper work was so old, he had heart surgery and is doing very well.

We relayed this information to our pediatrician's office and she was still waiting to hear from the cardiologist.  On Tuesday, we got the call and all is good.  With our Dr. ok, we are ALL in!  

With Rick and I now being certain that we are going to pursue this little guy, we decide it was time to tell Sophie about him (she knew we are adopting and it will be a boy, but not that we were reviewing a file) and show her his picture.  She was so cute about it.  She said I hope he's cute and hid her face around Rick's arm while I pulled it up on the computer.  I asked what if he's not cute?  She said it would be ok, it would not be his fault, and we would love him anyways, people can't help what they look like.  She was very excited to see him and I could tell she thinks he's cute!  We are very excited about our son and can not wait to go get him.  Sophie even says she is ready to go to China and get her brother.  She wants to go NOW NOW NOW!