I am sending an email to Holt asking I can request more information from the orphanage, in hopes of answering some of the questions that the doctors posed.  I know that Holt has the child's file until November 25th, so maybe we have time to get a bit more information to help me in making my decision.  I am asking for updated measurements, pictures of her leg, copies of X-rays, and a video showing how well she can walk.  Holt says that we should expect a response in two to three weeks, so I guess I wait for a bit now....

After feeling really good about what the doctor said yesterday, I woke up this morning back in my state of panic.  Accepting this referral is a HUGE leap of faith....I just want to be sure that I am as prepared and knowledgeable as possible before I move forward.  I decided that it would be wise to have a pediatric orthopedist take a look at her file.  Now, it is Friday morning and I am supposed to let Holt know my decision on Monday.  I know it is going to be hard to find a doctor on a Friday who will not only agree to look at the file, but agree to look at it TODAY.  So sitting on the side of my bed, I am praying that God will make this happen, how I don't know, but praying that if this is information that I need to have to move forward, that He will somehow work it out.

So I put calls in to two orthopedic offices in Atlanta.  Each time, I find myself explaining what I need to the receptionist or worse yet, just leaving a voicemail on their answering machine.  At 2:00 pm, one office calls me back, only to say that they cannot help me.  A few minutes later, the second office returns my call.  The woman says that they do have a doctor on staff who is often willing to review information with adoptive families!  I email the information to her right away and then ask when I should expect to hear back from the doctor.  Much to my disappointment, she tells me that she had seen the doctor respond as quickly as two or three business days, but it could take up to ten days for a response.  I could not bring myself to admit that I needed the information today, so I thanked her and hung up the phone.  I said a few more prayers, but I must admit, I was feeling pretty discouraged.

At 3:50, the phone rings and it is the patient coordinator from the second doctor's office.   I could tell she was surprised to be calling....she said the doctor had already looked at the file!  She said she had never seen him do a review so quickly!  Talk about an answered prayer!!  She gave me the doctor's best guess as to what I would be looking at, orthopedically, with this child.  And now I am back to the Internet to do a little more research!

Today, I spoke with a doctor who directs an International Adoption Clinic at a hospital in Nebraska.  His family has adopted six children, several with some of the same medical conditions that I am looking at in this child's file.  I emailed him the medical, pictures, and video on Tuesday and he called me today.  He spent over an hour on the phone with me, going though all of the medical reports, giving me a chance to ask all of my questions.  Overall, he said that this little girl looked really good!  He indicated that she would likely need some surgery, but was very optimistic.  And what a blessing when he told me that there was no charge for the consultation...wow!!!

I have spent the last few days seriously researching every single aspect of this little girl's medical file.  The internet holds a wealth of information, which is great, but it also gives every worse case scenario imaginable.  I literally think I am going to be sick...the whole thing makes me flip flop between feeling ok and feeling sheer panic...makes me nauseous...and yet, right in the middle of the panic, when I quiet all the fears, I feel peace.  And so I am praying...praying that God will make it clear to me what to do.

I still need to have a doctor who specializes in international adoption take a look at this file.  I have always used the International Adoption Clinic at the University of Minnesota, but they have become quite expensive, so I am trying to find another option. 

I emailed Holt today and asked for an extension...they said no other families had asked to view this child's file, so my new deadline for a decision is October 29th.  I am so relieved to have a bit more time!

Here we go...

The journey begins here.  Today, I received the file of a waiting child from China.  She is on Holt's designated list, but I actually saw her first on the Love Without Boundaries blog.  She is seven years old and so adorable!  The blog posting says that she has a great laugh and laughs often, is active, energetic, loves school, and is full of positive energy.  Sounds like the perfect little girl!  She has several special needs listed, one of which is an orthopedic issue with her right leg.  I have until Friday, October 19th to make a decision.  Ok..three days...lots to figure out between now and then!