The Infamous Eight Doctor Medical

Wednesday June 22nd

This part of the process has been a source of fear for me from the beginning of this journey.  I actually had decided against adopting from Russia years ago when I heard about this part of the paperwork.  I do not like being examined by my family doctor let alone eight of them in a foreign country.  The concept of this process was almost unimaginable.  Funny how something unimaginable becomes reality then it becomes possible.  As I write this it is done.

The process is like a medical scavenger hunt.  We met my translator at 8am and the adventure began.  We walked to the medical clinic and started the search.  Each doctor is a specialist and the goal is to manage to pop into their offices between their client appointments, have them examine me then add their stamp to my medical passport.  First stop was blood work, just writing that word is making me a little queasy.  Cat came in with me for this one along with the translator.  I was not allowed to be caffeinated or fed before so it was not my finest moment.  Cat let me bury my head in her armpit and it was all over in a a few minutes.

Then down the corridors we went, up stairs, down elevators, sat in a chair, paid an invoice, went down another hallway, a maze of doors.  Some of the exams were questions only, some involved being topless, one involved medieval looking suction cups on my chest.  Cat patiently waited in the hall for me for each appointment.  It was so much easier to go through the odd experiences knowing Cat was right outside and soon we'd be giggling over the bizarre thing that was happening.

The highlight of the day was the lovely grandma x-ray technician that sweetly took me by the hand and gently guided me into the poses for the machine. I asked if Cat could take our picture in the hallway after and she gave me the biggest, warmest, sweetest grandma hug.

Medicals done! I owe my sister, the kind translator and this heaven sent x-ray technician a world of gratitude for being exactly who I needed, exactly when I needed it.

xoxo