Doctor Visits

The fun has really started, now. We've spent Wednesday and Thursday at the pediatrician's office. We took both boys on Thursday and also, did x-rays of their spines along with the first of four rounds of lab work. The blood work has to be drawn 10ml's at a time, because of the boys' weights, the combined amount of blood needed for the testing we're doing is 45ml per boy. That's a lot of sticks for this Mama, who has a needle phobia. We'll go every 3 to 4 days until all the blood is collected and all the tests are run.

Joseph weighs 26 lbs and the pediatrician said, "Keep doing what you're doing. He looks great!" That was exactly what this Mama needed to hear. Then, he issued us about 8 referrals to different specialists and therapists that we'll need to see over the next few weeks. Samuel also got a clean bill of health and weighs 29 lbs. We think, he's lost a pound or two from the parasite, we're fairly sure we have. He didn't receive quite as many referrals and that's a blessing, all by itself.

Speaking of parasites. One of the things, "they" don't tell you when venturing into this adoption world is that the poop is awful! Even worse, if it contains a parasite that infects the rest of the family, leaving you all tired and sick. That's why you haven't been getting many updates. I'm exhausted. I go to bed most nights around 8:30, if not sooner. We are currently collecting stool samples to find out which parasite we have, so treatment can commence and everyone can get healthy. We're calling the kit we received from the doctor the "Poopy Party Pack." My friend, Jess informed me that we must have the deluxe edition, because she didn't have to do as many "collections" as we're doing. Fun times, ya'll, fun times.

So, there are a couple of ways you can pray. One other is for my heart. I had no idea how difficult it would be to take Joseph to the doctors' offices and repeatedly tell people (nurses, technicians, doctors) that yes, he is 7 years old, yes, that is his real birthdate, yes, we are sure. One nurse asked Eli (my 9 year old) to hop on the scale thinking he must be Joseph. There have been tears and it's just hard. Hopefully, our boy will open some eyes and some hearts to the truth, to the needs of children around the world. Hopefully, watching him grow and blossom will be life changing for some of these people, too. It has already been life changing for us.

They are worth it. They are worth the smelly diapers, the long drives to the "good" doctors, the needle sticks, the tantrums, the training, the 5 am wake-up calls. They are our sons and we would do anything for them. They are worth it.

We're currently helping another family bring home their blessings and they are worth it, too. Please, consider helping them. You can read all about them on The Finishers' Blog.

Pray, Adopt, Advocate, Support...Do Something!

Hidden in Christ,
Mandy