We arrived home Monday night to a very excited Tucker. He was so happy to see us and the feeling was mutual. We went out to eat with Granny and Tucker. We talked a lot to stay awake, of course we had lots to tell. Greg went straight to bed after Tucker and I was soon to follow. We slept good the first night. We have not slept so good since. Tuesday night we both were up at 4:30 so Wednesday was a long day. Wednesday night was better so I am sure we are on the home stretch now with the jet lag. Late afternoon's and early evening is the worst when it is 2am in Russia. This too shall pass though.
Tuesday morning I started in on the the next set of paperwork. Our adoption coordinator from Children of the World had sent us the new list of paperwork to sign and obtain. Most of the paperwork in this set of documents relates to our health and Tucker's health. Russia even needs the doctor's physicians license. Greg and I had both seen our doctor for various things recently so in my mind taking him 2 pieces of paper about our health and asking him to fill it out would be no big deal. I was very wrong. The staff would not give him the papers. We had to make appointments. I tried to explain that all of this was very time sensitive and every day we waited meant more delays in getting to go back for our adoption court date. Honestly, I did not feel like they cared what the paper was for they would not budge on the appointment policy. So, with no other choice, we made appointments. Greg's appointment was this morning and my appointment is Monday.
Greg did convince the doctor to order our blood work today for HIV, HEP B and C and syphilis that we needed for Russia so we both had blood drawn today and should have the results in by Monday. We also are required to get a TB test so that can't be done until Monday and we will get the results Wednesday. Unfortuantely the doctors seemed to be more interested in getting paid by the insurance company than helping us with the adoption paperwork. It was one form a piece that would take 5 minutes to fill out and sign but we had to schedule an appointment. Of course, I am tired and very emotional anyway so the non-cooperative spirit of the doctors staff did not go over with me too well.
In addition to the physical form and blood tests, we must obtain chest x-ray FILMS for both of us. Not the digital image but FILMS. Do you know that the largest Radiology group in Montgomery, who our doctor works with, does not use film machines anymore? Montgomery Radiology group like almost all groups of any size use digital technology for x-rays...so a new problem and a new hurdle. Thankfully though, Greg and I have a very near and dear friend who works for Montgomery Radiology Group and she is on the case and I am confident we will find an x-ray machine that uses film.
The delays with the doctors are normal I am sure, normal for doctors of any type, but unless you have experienced adoption or someone close to you go through it all it is hard to understand the delay situation. Greg and I are past ready to bring Olivia Ann and John Mark home. We are going into month 19 of the process so delays of any type are not our friends at all. It is hard to explain how ready we are for John Mark and Olivia Ann to experience our love and the love of so many of you reading this blog. As our adoption coordinator told me today when I was concerned and asking questions about the new Adoption Agreement signed by the USA and Russia....The international adoption process is not for the “faint of heart”. God chose you and Greg because you are courageous, wise, resourceful, loving and most of all patient! We will make it through….and at the end of this journey you will look back and not remember the frustration of the process, but the blessings at the end.
My brain knows she is absolutely right about the process but it does wear us out at times. So I will close with this verse:
Deuteronomy 31:6 New Living Translation
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."
Think I would be finding me a new doctor!!
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