Day four: "Big Bless"

This is the day all adoptive families wait for: the date at the U.S. Embassy to apply for a travel visa. We needed to leave at about 6:15. So we had another early morning. Due to an intense storm the day before, there were rolling blackouts all night long in our hotel. The next morning I headed for the shower only to discover that there was no hot water! Talk about a wake up call!

This day, we were using the driver supplied by our adoption agency. Our adoption fees covered the service of a ride to the Embassy to apply for the Visa, and again the next day to pick up said Visa. Edwin had completely spoiled us. I must say, the agency’s driver was certainly amiable and more then patient. He stood calmly by while two sleep-deprived parents struggled to load a stroller, bulging diaper bag, bag of books and toys and a two-inch stack of paperwork into the van with no car seats. He helped Gordon through the process of paying for the Visa and getting a receipt. Then he left us to wait for our interview. He said he’d be back in an hour to pick us up, and off he went to get a bite to eat.

The wait was a struggle for Gracie. She is an energetic cheerful child, and being stuck in a drab government building is just not her thing. But she’s a trooper and she joyfully played the gravity game endlessly with Danny. (I drop, you pick up, etc. etc.) Then she saw the large America flag in the corner. How tempting is that? She ran over, and before we could stop her she had wrapped herself completely in the flag and was spinning around joyfully. This was a game she had been playing in the hotel drapes just a couple hours earlier and it was difficult to explain why the flag wasn’t fair game.

Sorry no pictures by decree of the US Government! But here's one to tide you over...

Luckily we were called shortly after this. First we entered a small closet sized room and handed over our paperwork while someone examined our passports. Then we were dismissed to wait for one more interview. About 20 minutes later we were called to the infamous window #10. “Please raise your right hand. Do you swear that the information in this documentation is the truth.” “Yes.” “Have you fulfilled the requirements in your state to complete an adoption?” “Yes.” “Congratulations, come back tomorrow at 3:30 to pick up your Visa.”

Done.

That’s it?

Yep. Done!

Well, not quite. Our driver, who said he’d be back in an hour, did not show up for another hour. He had instructed us to wait by the exit doors so he could see us. We stood there with an increasingly hungry and impatient Gracie, and a still feverish Danny. We were dripping with sweat in our “Business Casual” Embassy outfits, I could feel my hair soaking up the humid air and beginning to extend on either side of my head – defying gravity.

Finally, FINALLY there he was. Amiable as ever, calmly watching us make our way down two flights of stairs with the aforementioned baggage. When he deposited us at our hotel, we let him know that we wouldn’t need him to drive us to the Embassy the next day. We would be using our new best friend, Edwin.

Whew, back to the air conditioned bliss of our hotel. Our original plans were to meet Edwin lunch time and head for the city of Antigua to do some sightseeing and shopping. However, we were still worried about Danny. He was much improved from the day before but I was still worried. We called the pediatrician to ask a few questions. He said that the best thing for Danny would be to be seen at a hospital for x-rays and blood work to confirm the pneumonia and to determine whether he needed additional care. I felt the blood drain from my face. What next!?

While waiting, Gracie melds all her playdoh colors to create an "Ox-rainbow" with craters!

So Edwin took us to the ER instead of Antigua. I had visions of the ER in our town: a germ pit with endless waiting. I assumed that in Guatemala City, with over twice the population of our city, things would be even worse. Imagine our surprise when we were issued into an empty, spotless waiting room and shortly after that, a charming pediatric exam room. Thank God Edwin was there to translate. We were able to give the medical staff detailed information about Danny’s condition and the meds he was taking.

X-rays were taken, blood was drawn, tears were shed (mine and Danny’s). We met with the pediatric on call doctor and a viral specialist. They explained that Danny did indeed have pneumonia in both lungs. If his white counts were seriously elevated, he would need to be hospitalized and receive IV antibiotics. Finally results were back and we received good news. Danny’s blood work did not indicate a need for hospitalization. They were pleased with his progress to date and recommended that we continue as instructed by our doctor. We promised to have him come out the night before we left to give Danny the green light for flying.

The doctors were appalled that he had not been receiving formula for his first year. They were concerned about the nutritional value of a milk diet. They recommended Pediasure instead of milk. They emphasized fluids and calories were to be our focus.

I can’t even begin to describe how relieved I felt after this visit. I felt like we were finally on the right track. The care we received was outstanding and the staff was incredible. While we were waiting for results I asked Edwin why there was no one else in the waiting room. He explained that few people in Guatemala could afford this hospital. Here’s that thing that really got to me: our bill for an ER visit, x-rays, lab work, doctor exam and a visit by a viral specialist was $178. This expense which we could pay for out of petty cash was too much for most of the people living in Guatemala City. I also thought about what the excellent doctors must be earning if the cost of their care was so little. What heroes to stay in their country rather then look elsewhere for what surely would be a much bigger paycheck.

As we were leaving, I asked the doctor what would have happened to Danny had he been at the orphanage in his condition for any longer. She said that three more days and he would have been lucky to have made it to the hospital on time.

I told this to Edwin as we were driving back to the hotel. I told him how we hadn’t been expecting to get our pink slip as soon as we did. “Can you imagine” I said, “what could have happened? Thank God for getting that pink slip early.”

Edwin said, “This is a big bless. A big big bless.”

Later that night when we got home Gordon and Edwin headed to the grocery store to buy provisions I stayed with a passed out Gracie and an ever improving Danny. Looking at my beautiful children and feeling Josh’s presence so strongly I agreed: A big big bless indeed!

Being a big sister is hard work!

Yes, all this plastic is really enjoyable, but what I really need.....

Is a spoon and the remote. Now I'm groovin'!

Big Bless!!