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Saturday, September 11, 2010 IMMIGRANT VISA MEDICAL APPOINTMENT DAY This morning we went to the infamous Immigration Medical Exam. This now familiar exam merits glass half-full mentality. Usually the positive mentality is not too difficult for me to muster. Today was a unique day at the medical clinic. We arrived to find about 247 other families also there to process their medical exam to gain the coveted visa for our new children. The clinic was hot and crowded. We moved slowly through each station without much incident. There was a concert of babies crying, parents sweating, medical personnel shouting directions in Mandarin and “Chinglish”, and a low buzz of the fans experience, I realize that this is just one of those hoops that must be jumped through in order to gain access to the best country in the whole world- the U.S.A. Did I mention that it was hot and crowded? It was an interesting morning observing new families- some made up of brand new, first-time, rookie parents and some made up of seasoned parent-veterans. Things were moving along well and we were bee-bopping through the process. And then our guide approached us with some “not so good news”. I have learned that it is never a good thing when your guide approaches one with “not so good news” while at the medical clinic. We experienced that last summer when we learned with Braxton that there was some additional medical information that had not been on his referral paperwork. The air became thick and time seemed to stand still as I recollected the scenario we experienced last summer. Then our guide gently touched my arm catapulting me back to the present matter at hand. She said in a calm, but concerned voice, “Well, little CaiXia is going to have to have 8 shots today in order to fulfill the U.S. immunization requirement. I am sorry. I know that is a lot for a little girl.” The mama bear in me quickly merged to the surface and tears threatened to boil over. EIGHT SHOTS in ONE SITTING! Are you kidding me? Our pediatrician would never recommend 8 shots at one time. Every fiber in me felt that this was a bad idea. I was frustrated and angry with the silly immigration requirements. While I agree with immunizations, I do not feel that it is a good idea to force a small child to endure that type of unnecessary medical intervention without the proper supervision of a trained pediatrician. As we looked into the matter further, I wanted to investigate how there could possibly be EIGHT SHOTS that a 20-month-old could be required to receive. Upon further investigation I learned that we were being forced to immunize her against influenza, pneumococcal, and chicken pox as well as the regular series of Hep A, Hep B, DPT, MMR, and Polio. After a few moments of aggravation and frustration, I rapidly reconciled with the fact that we have no control in this matter and there is nothing we can do to alleviate the sheer reality that we must submit to this rule set by our government. So we laid our hands on Miss Bella and entrusted her to God once again remembering all of His provision for her thus far. She endured the eight shots and slept away the afternoon letting sleep remedy her troubles for the time. This afternoon we also went to our guides room in order to complete the last of our visa documents required for the U.S. Consulate to issue her visa. Finally we went to Lucy’s Bar and Grill for a dinner that resembled some flavors from home. Bella was able to eat some rice and chicken congee (a rice porridge of sorts that is a staple in most Chinese orphanages). It seemed as though the congee was the first food that she was able to keep down and perhaps may have even been a comfort food for her.

Small Steps = Big Strides Waiting at the Clinic Busy Day at the Medical Clinic Bella with Little Travel Friend, Mack Worth the Wait

Little by little we are beginning to see Bella’s walls come down as she dares to trust her new family with her raw emotion. She still clings to me and is not comfortable unless I am merely inches away; but she is beginning to show us glimpses of small grins quickly hidden by her closing her eyes or hiding her face. She is beautiful and she is loved. It brings me joy to see her new father, her new brothers, and her new Papa pursue her affection despite what her response is to them. They love her and seek to engage with her patiently waiting for her to reciprocate. She is comfortable with Breanna and will allow her to hold her for small periods of time.

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