A Heaven Sent Gift?

The last week has really been a whirlwind for us. The Chinese government releases a shared list of the available special needs children in the middle of the night US time, once each month. The agencies hurriedly pick referrals off of it for their waiting families. They lock them for 72 hours and then they go back on the list. You have 72 hours to decide yes or no to a child. A strange process to me as Russian adoptive mom but somewhat makes sense. So, Tuesday morning I was expecting a call around 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. I awoke around 3:00 and panicked, no call. I checked my phone for a missed call or email. Sure enough I had gotten an email but no match for us. UGH! Oh well, she isn't ready for us. The email did say later in the week we could get a referral as children were release back at the end of the 72 hours.

Thursday night it was 10:30 and Don was already in bed sleeping. I was getting up to let the dogs out before I went to bed when my phone rang! It said "Seattle, Washington" so I answered. It was our agency wondering if we would consider a little girl born June 2010 with an atrial septal defect and beta thalassemia major. I said sure, had previously reseached thalassemia and Oliver has an ASD. We only had Friday to get medicals evaluated and had to have an answer on Saturday and our letter of intent ready on Sunday. Ok, we can do that. So finally at almost 11:00 I get the email. I first look at the pictures, she is darling and standing independently, good sign. Looks like a feminine version of Matson with some Asian features. Start reading and nothing is alarming. She is doing fabulous in a foster home and loves to play, is talking in three word sentences, etc. Her medical conditions are not screaming. I am getting excited. Finally, I look at her date of birth and it the same day as Matson's! Oh my goodness! God is giving me his twin? Seems like a heaven sent sign that she is our peanut.

I decide to consult with our pediatrician because I knew the odds were not with us on hearing back from the international adoption clinic that does rough reviews for no charge. We will give a donation to them once our tax refund comes in but right now we need to reserve funds for the big chunk we will be paying when we are ready to submit our petition to immigration. (there is a huge hold up by the IRS on adoption tax credit refunds)

Well, our pediatrician called me and thoroughly scared me and I thought "I cannot do it". Essentially, children with thalassemia major used to pass away early in life due to having excess iron in their blood and it effected their liver, spleen and heart. They are given blood transfusions on a regular basis to keep their hemoglobin count up. Currently they are given chelation therapy to remove the excess iron and their organs aren't effected. There is no known life expectancy now for these kids as the therapy has progressed giving them longer life. There are potentials for new treatments down the road.

After conversing with two of my medical friends and a few fellow adoptive moms (some with Thal kids), we are back on track for her. Thank you to Pat, Amy, Donna and Shari for all your encourage and support! And to my new friends on China Adopt Talk who have been there and are loving kids with Thal! Our letter of intent is done and hopefully will go out in time. Now this week we will have her medicals evaluated more and prepare to bring her home. Amy so kindly introduced the Sparrow Fund and I hope to get them to help with the expense of the evaluation. Love meeting some new adoptive friends and hope to work with them in the future. Things just come together sometimes!

Wonder how we will answer the question "Twins?" to our children born on the same day halfway around the world from each other from two different birthmoms? God loves to give my husband things to think about incorporating in to this comedy routine! Please pray for this little girl and that she gets home fast!

P.S. We are sponsoring the little girl I fell in love with through International China Concern and will be able to receive regular updates and pictures and continue to help her even though she is still in China.