Today Gracie and I went to Vanderbilt for her appointment at the International Adoption Clinic. We partnered with the clinic at the beginning of our adoption process knowing we could definitely use their help in reviewing medical files and answering medical questions/concerns we had about any children’s files we received. The medical files through an international adoption can be very vague. Sometimes the files are updated and very recent while others are many months old. There can be information that helps determine the child’s developmental progress or there can be just measurements that you hope are correct. Either way, we were OK with that unknown.
Just for a little background information during the process…once we received a file of a child to review, there was a certain time period to either accept or pass on the referral. Knowing we are very limited in the realm of medical knowledge we knew we would greatly benefit from using the International Adoption Clinic. Once our home study was completed this past summer and our dossier was sent to China, we contacted the clinic and had our initial consult with Dr. Rothman which included a lengthy discussion about the different delays, growth and nutritional issues that are often associated with children who are internationally adopted. We reviewed the process of what happens once we received a referral and asked as many questions as we could. Since she is specialized in international adoption, she knows what to look for in the medical reports and what questions to ask an orphanage after we received a referral. She also let us know about the tests and screenings our child would need once home. She was so patient, confident and a wealth of information and comfort and we knew from that phone call she would be a great resource for us. That was last August.
As you know, we accepted our first referral, back in December. Of course we did….she’s our daughter!
Just for a little background information during the process…once we received a file of a child to review, there was a certain time period to either accept or pass on the referral. Knowing we are very limited in the realm of medical knowledge we knew we would greatly benefit from using the International Adoption Clinic. Once our home study was completed this past summer and our dossier was sent to China, we contacted the clinic and had our initial consult with Dr. Rothman which included a lengthy discussion about the different delays, growth and nutritional issues that are often associated with children who are internationally adopted. We reviewed the process of what happens once we received a referral and asked as many questions as we could. Since she is specialized in international adoption, she knows what to look for in the medical reports and what questions to ask an orphanage after we received a referral. She also let us know about the tests and screenings our child would need once home. She was so patient, confident and a wealth of information and comfort and we knew from that phone call she would be a great resource for us. That was last August.
As you know, we accepted our first referral, back in December. Of course we did….she’s our daughter!
As soon as we got Gracie’s file, I emailed the adoption clinic and they immediately got on the ball taking in her information and tracking down Dr. Rothman. She has other jobs at Vanderbilt other than the adoption clinic. She finished up her rounds that night and called me from her house! We spoke on the phone that night for at least 45 minutes….and not all about Gracie’s file. She was so excited to learn about Gracie but also wanted to think through the different doctors who could help her. We then set up a conference call for the next day when Denny was also available. She was so very thorough going over all of Gracie’s records….most of which really didn’t matter to us at this point, but it was still good information. It was because of Dr. Rothman that we were introduced to Dr. Chris, who is the pediatric hand surgeon in Dallas, Texas. We ended up talking with this well known, very specialized surgeon on the phone and he continued to email us many times about Gracie’s hands and the band that constricts her leg.
Denny says at this point he already knew Gracie was our daughter but these conversations with Dr. Chris really helped calm my fears of the unknown. Not that he said it was going to be all rainbows and unicorns….but just having his expertise at our fingertips was so very reassuring. Another way the Lord provided in an amazing way.
The adoption clinic also provides any medical advice or support they can while in country. I emailed them as soon as we discovered Gracie’s fever and vomiting had increased while we were in China and Dr. Rothman emailed me back directly. Even though in the bigger picture that issue was minor, it was comforting to know we had great medical support even while we were in a foreign country.
So, finally being at the International Adoption Clinic was exciting for me…it was exciting to meet this wonderful team in person, and for them to meet Gracie. God had something else in store for us before we met though. When we arrived at Vanderbilt Hospital, I parked, and then headed to the large area of elevators for doctor appointments. These elevators aren’t for those with the common cold or allergy issues. This is a huge hospital with 11 floors of children who are suffering through cancer, living with blood disorders and different syndromes, kids with total paralysis, brain damage, kidney failure, orthopedic issues, and many other things you pray your children never have to endure. I am told to go to the 9th floor and I get on the elevator with a mom and her 12 year old son who is in a wheel chair and looks very frail. Another guy gets on after me….a guy maybe in his mid twenties who looks pretty ragged and has many tattoos and a raspy voice. The door closes and the guy immediately turns around and looks at me and this other mom. In a friendly voice he says, “Hey, are you guys Christians…I mean is Jesus Christ your Savior?” We both say yes and he says, “Oh great I am too!”, and then proceeds to ask us if our children are sick. The other mom tells us her son is very sick and the guy looks at me and I tell him no, she’s not sick she just needs a few surgeries. Then the guy introduces himself as Dustin, and then asks if he can pray over our children. We both agree and then he asks if he can put his hands on our kids while he prays…yes. While this is happening, the elevator stops a couple of times and other people get off and on. We are still on our way to the 9th floor….where I’m to get off. At this point I am about to cry and as he speaks to our Lord and prays verses over us and asks for healing and strength for us…I am overwhelmed by His greatness. God is here…even in an elevator. When he finishes praying, the mom and the 12 year old boy get off on their floor which leaves Gracie, me and Dustin. I thank him for praying for us and he asks about Gracie. I tell him she is just home from China and we are seeing the adoption clinic today. He cheers on adoption and then shows me a picture on his phone of his two children…a 5 year old little boy and his 7 year old daughter. He tells me he has had a hard life and is a recovering alcoholic but is 3 years sober because the Lord changed his life 3 years ago and he now wants to share all that God has done in his life with others. He told me his close family members aren’t believers and they are all addicted to drugs in some way. At this point we are still in the elevator and have just made our way to the 9th floor. And of course, this is his stop too. We continue to talk as I walk to the check in desk and he shares more with me about why he is here. At the same time, I recognize this 9th floor office. This is where we had previously brought Jonathan to the neurosurgeon for his appointments for Hydrocephalus. The last time I was here was when we found out he has been healed of Hydrocephalus and will not need a shunt. I stop in my tracks and look at the sign to make sure I’m in the right place. The Neuro department is right beside the International Adoption Clinic. Dustin notices my surprise and asks and I tell him about Jonathan and how the Lord had healed him. That same Neuro department is where Dustin was headed. His 5 year old son had his skull opened across the top from ear to ear a couple of years ago and they were able to fix whatever was wrong. But recently the doctors discovered his son has two small holes on each side of his skull into his brain that would need another major surgery. Dustin told me he wasn't a believer when his son had the first surgery. But this time he told the doctor that surgery will not be needed because the Lord is going to heal him. The doctor told him he needed surgery soon and Dustin refused and said instead he wanted another CT scan to show that the holes had been healed. The doctor agreed…and that was 2 weeks ago. Today they were here to receive the results of that scan. Dustin said he knows the Lord can heal and that has been their prayer all along. He was so excited to go into the appointment and for the doctor see how his son has been healed. He also said it’s OK if his son isn’t healed if that is the Lord’s will. He brought his son out of the waiting room for me to meet him and showed me his scar across the top of his head. He was such a sweet and cute little boy and listened as his dad praised His heavenly Father. At this point we parted ways as I was late. I told him I would pray for his family and his son and he said it was all going to be OK because he knows Jesus loves him. I pray his son received the same report of healing that Jonathan did in that same office just 2 years ago.
I sat down in our waiting room and just had a huge exhale. The only thing in my mind was the word, BOLD. He was so bold for Jesus. And I felt ashamed. How many times have I been in an elevator with someone at a hospital and not prayed for them? If we truly believe the Lord can HEAL and that He does HEAR our prayers and that there is POWER in prayer….why not? Who cares what other people think?? Well, I think at some time or another we have all cared what someone else thinks. The only One I should be concerned about what they think is the One who suffered and died on the cross for me. The Lord gave me a great moment in that elevator today by reminding me about boldness. I pray Dustin has his faith firmly planted in Him as he has many struggles but his joy for the Lord is his strength and that was gushing out of him today. Lord I want that boldness. I don’t want to miss another elevator opportunity for You.
I looked for that family as we waited for our appointment but they did not make it out before I had to go in. The day could have ended there and that would have been great but we continued on to Gracie’s appointment. She had so much fun walking around in the waiting room and playing with the new toys.
The adoption clinic also provides any medical advice or support they can while in country. I emailed them as soon as we discovered Gracie’s fever and vomiting had increased while we were in China and Dr. Rothman emailed me back directly. Even though in the bigger picture that issue was minor, it was comforting to know we had great medical support even while we were in a foreign country.
So, finally being at the International Adoption Clinic was exciting for me…it was exciting to meet this wonderful team in person, and for them to meet Gracie. God had something else in store for us before we met though. When we arrived at Vanderbilt Hospital, I parked, and then headed to the large area of elevators for doctor appointments. These elevators aren’t for those with the common cold or allergy issues. This is a huge hospital with 11 floors of children who are suffering through cancer, living with blood disorders and different syndromes, kids with total paralysis, brain damage, kidney failure, orthopedic issues, and many other things you pray your children never have to endure. I am told to go to the 9th floor and I get on the elevator with a mom and her 12 year old son who is in a wheel chair and looks very frail. Another guy gets on after me….a guy maybe in his mid twenties who looks pretty ragged and has many tattoos and a raspy voice. The door closes and the guy immediately turns around and looks at me and this other mom. In a friendly voice he says, “Hey, are you guys Christians…I mean is Jesus Christ your Savior?” We both say yes and he says, “Oh great I am too!”, and then proceeds to ask us if our children are sick. The other mom tells us her son is very sick and the guy looks at me and I tell him no, she’s not sick she just needs a few surgeries. Then the guy introduces himself as Dustin, and then asks if he can pray over our children. We both agree and then he asks if he can put his hands on our kids while he prays…yes. While this is happening, the elevator stops a couple of times and other people get off and on. We are still on our way to the 9th floor….where I’m to get off. At this point I am about to cry and as he speaks to our Lord and prays verses over us and asks for healing and strength for us…I am overwhelmed by His greatness. God is here…even in an elevator. When he finishes praying, the mom and the 12 year old boy get off on their floor which leaves Gracie, me and Dustin. I thank him for praying for us and he asks about Gracie. I tell him she is just home from China and we are seeing the adoption clinic today. He cheers on adoption and then shows me a picture on his phone of his two children…a 5 year old little boy and his 7 year old daughter. He tells me he has had a hard life and is a recovering alcoholic but is 3 years sober because the Lord changed his life 3 years ago and he now wants to share all that God has done in his life with others. He told me his close family members aren’t believers and they are all addicted to drugs in some way. At this point we are still in the elevator and have just made our way to the 9th floor. And of course, this is his stop too. We continue to talk as I walk to the check in desk and he shares more with me about why he is here. At the same time, I recognize this 9th floor office. This is where we had previously brought Jonathan to the neurosurgeon for his appointments for Hydrocephalus. The last time I was here was when we found out he has been healed of Hydrocephalus and will not need a shunt. I stop in my tracks and look at the sign to make sure I’m in the right place. The Neuro department is right beside the International Adoption Clinic. Dustin notices my surprise and asks and I tell him about Jonathan and how the Lord had healed him. That same Neuro department is where Dustin was headed. His 5 year old son had his skull opened across the top from ear to ear a couple of years ago and they were able to fix whatever was wrong. But recently the doctors discovered his son has two small holes on each side of his skull into his brain that would need another major surgery. Dustin told me he wasn't a believer when his son had the first surgery. But this time he told the doctor that surgery will not be needed because the Lord is going to heal him. The doctor told him he needed surgery soon and Dustin refused and said instead he wanted another CT scan to show that the holes had been healed. The doctor agreed…and that was 2 weeks ago. Today they were here to receive the results of that scan. Dustin said he knows the Lord can heal and that has been their prayer all along. He was so excited to go into the appointment and for the doctor see how his son has been healed. He also said it’s OK if his son isn’t healed if that is the Lord’s will. He brought his son out of the waiting room for me to meet him and showed me his scar across the top of his head. He was such a sweet and cute little boy and listened as his dad praised His heavenly Father. At this point we parted ways as I was late. I told him I would pray for his family and his son and he said it was all going to be OK because he knows Jesus loves him. I pray his son received the same report of healing that Jonathan did in that same office just 2 years ago.
I sat down in our waiting room and just had a huge exhale. The only thing in my mind was the word, BOLD. He was so bold for Jesus. And I felt ashamed. How many times have I been in an elevator with someone at a hospital and not prayed for them? If we truly believe the Lord can HEAL and that He does HEAR our prayers and that there is POWER in prayer….why not? Who cares what other people think?? Well, I think at some time or another we have all cared what someone else thinks. The only One I should be concerned about what they think is the One who suffered and died on the cross for me. The Lord gave me a great moment in that elevator today by reminding me about boldness. I pray Dustin has his faith firmly planted in Him as he has many struggles but his joy for the Lord is his strength and that was gushing out of him today. Lord I want that boldness. I don’t want to miss another elevator opportunity for You.
I looked for that family as we waited for our appointment but they did not make it out before I had to go in. The day could have ended there and that would have been great but we continued on to Gracie’s appointment. She had so much fun walking around in the waiting room and playing with the new toys.
Today’s visit was wonderful and a wealth of information. Dr. Rothman went over all of the medical information that happened in China and then evaluated her on many different levels. There are expected growth and developmental delays with children who have spent their life in an international orphanage. She confirmed by the shape of Gracie’s head that she did spend most of her life lying down in her crib. After assessing her socially, physically and emotionally, she said Gracie was doing wonderfully! As we already knew things were going very well with her it was reassuring to hear we are on the right path. We have a few things to work on with the developmental and speech delays but I believe those will come naturally now that she is with her family and being loved.
It was so fascinating to learn about the differences with internationally adopted children. Dr. Rothman noticed the ear wax build up Gracie has (which our pediatrician already pointed out) but she said people from Asian descent tend to have drier ear wax! (there’s your random fact for the day) Since she has a little wax build up already, we will need to help remove it, which apparently if it happened to me it would just take care of itself. She also said that internationally adopted girls are at an increased risk for early puberty. That was something for us to just keep in mind for down the road and to make sure her growth is on track around that timeframe. Internationally adopted children also have a higher rate of hearing issues…which Gracie doesn’t have. Dr. Rothman also pointed out a few things she noticed Gracie doing that shows healthy attachment. For bio kids, it wouldn’t be concerning for them to go right up to the doctor…we would consider that a well socialized child. That’s not the case for a recent internationally adopted child. Gracie showed uncertainty of the doctor when she came into the room and then Gracie quickly toddled over to me. These were two positives as Gracie is not showing indiscriminate affection (just comfortably going up to anyone) and she is showing that she trusts me and wants my protection. We have to teach her first that our family is safe and we love her. Once that is firmly established she can then learn that others can be safe. It was a great appointment and they were even able to draw her blood and check the strength of the immunizations she received in China. We also met with the occupational therapist and she was amazed at the function of Gracie’s hands. She said she will probably be able to do most things without surgery but surgery will increase her range of motion, ease of function and help the appearance. We discussed different surgeons and their locations as we are considering visiting Cincinnati or possibly Atlanta for her hand and leg surgeries.
Once we finished our appointments, we said our goodbyes and got back in that elevator. I hope I never forget that elevator experience….God’s message to me today…be BOLD for Him. I forgot until I got there today what this hospital does to me each time we go. It definitely has a way of putting life into perspective. I leave there with an aching heart. Aching for the parents who see their children truly suffer. Parents who are visibly worn and exhausted. Children who will never leave that hospital. I am thankful for our God who heals the broken, comforts the hurting, and puts the lonely in families.
It was so fascinating to learn about the differences with internationally adopted children. Dr. Rothman noticed the ear wax build up Gracie has (which our pediatrician already pointed out) but she said people from Asian descent tend to have drier ear wax! (there’s your random fact for the day) Since she has a little wax build up already, we will need to help remove it, which apparently if it happened to me it would just take care of itself. She also said that internationally adopted girls are at an increased risk for early puberty. That was something for us to just keep in mind for down the road and to make sure her growth is on track around that timeframe. Internationally adopted children also have a higher rate of hearing issues…which Gracie doesn’t have. Dr. Rothman also pointed out a few things she noticed Gracie doing that shows healthy attachment. For bio kids, it wouldn’t be concerning for them to go right up to the doctor…we would consider that a well socialized child. That’s not the case for a recent internationally adopted child. Gracie showed uncertainty of the doctor when she came into the room and then Gracie quickly toddled over to me. These were two positives as Gracie is not showing indiscriminate affection (just comfortably going up to anyone) and she is showing that she trusts me and wants my protection. We have to teach her first that our family is safe and we love her. Once that is firmly established she can then learn that others can be safe. It was a great appointment and they were even able to draw her blood and check the strength of the immunizations she received in China. We also met with the occupational therapist and she was amazed at the function of Gracie’s hands. She said she will probably be able to do most things without surgery but surgery will increase her range of motion, ease of function and help the appearance. We discussed different surgeons and their locations as we are considering visiting Cincinnati or possibly Atlanta for her hand and leg surgeries.
Once we finished our appointments, we said our goodbyes and got back in that elevator. I hope I never forget that elevator experience….God’s message to me today…be BOLD for Him. I forgot until I got there today what this hospital does to me each time we go. It definitely has a way of putting life into perspective. I leave there with an aching heart. Aching for the parents who see their children truly suffer. Parents who are visibly worn and exhausted. Children who will never leave that hospital. I am thankful for our God who heals the broken, comforts the hurting, and puts the lonely in families.