We have decided to start adding some articles for people to read to understand all the things we may experience but have trouble explaining to everyone. You will see a new item Helpful Articles on the left. I plan to post any articles that I feel not only do we benefit from but you reading this will find interesting as well.
It has been hard to answer all the questions, sometimes because it takes so much time, other times because we don't have the answer. I hope some of the articles will help everyone with some of those questions you ask and those you maybe afraid of asking.
Those of you that know me, I'm a private person and this blog is really the best way to get answers from me so I'm trying my best to help us all.
Happy reading.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Back to the Orphanage
Our little "Nhi" is out of the hospital. He was released today and returned to the orphanage. He will continue to take medications to treat the remaining pneumonia. We are happy to know that everything worked out just fine, even though, we weren't there to take care of him. We thank you all for your kind words, wishes and prayers. We are hoping this outbreak will get noticed by the right people and families will start to be approved to travel.
Our last form "I-600" was submitted 2 weeks ago. It takes some time usually but we are keeping our fingers crossed that now, things will move quicker, knowing there is a potential health risk for these children.
On a side note: Nhi room is getting it's last coat of paint today and hopefully by our first shower we will have some things in place to put all the toys and clothes that are waiting for him.
Our last form "I-600" was submitted 2 weeks ago. It takes some time usually but we are keeping our fingers crossed that now, things will move quicker, knowing there is a potential health risk for these children.
On a side note: Nhi room is getting it's last coat of paint today and hopefully by our first shower we will have some things in place to put all the toys and clothes that are waiting for him.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Out of the ER
I just received report that Nhi has been moved out of the ER and is just in the normal care section of the hospital. He is doing much better and will hopefully recovery quickly. The agency has updated us with all that has been going on in the orphanage in Bac Lieu. Here is some of what she said.
"It has been a difficult week for several children in Bac Lieu who are struggling with illness and who were admitted to the hospital. A total of 5 children are currently in the care of the Bac Lieu General hospital receiving treatment for pneumonia. I have informed all families who are directly affected by this situation. Several children at the Bac Lieu orphanage have been fighting (to varying degrees) diarrhea, upper respiratory infections and, in some cases, pneumonia. Please know that FTIA, the Bac Lieu orphanage, Vietnamese health officials and doctors & nurses at the Bac Lieu General Hospital are taking the situation very seriously. We are following up with families as often as there are updates about their particular child's situation. In cases when it is necessary to admit a child to the Bac Lieu General Hospital, we feel confident that the hospital is able to provide the level of care that is needed.
In response to this very unfortunate event, FTIA is working with provincial and orphanage officials to be as cooperative as possible. Children in orphanages often trade germs and infections because they live in such close proximity to one another. The current weather in Bac Lieu is also thought to be a factor, partly because this recent spike in illness and hospital admissions is not limited to the orphanage. As such, the Bac Lieu Preventative Health Center has already visited the orphanage to sanitize and sterilize the facility so that the environment is as healthy as possible for those children living there. We also informed the IAD, DOLISA and all relevant parties of what is happening, asking for their cooperation to urge officials in Vietnam to process these adoption cases as efficiently as possible so that children do not remain in the orphanage unnecessarily long, especially when they have adoptive families waiting and eager to receive them.
In this situation, you are undoubtedly asking what you can do to help and worrying about the safety of the child you hope to bring into your family. Please be assured that FTIA will inform any family directly affected by this situation, and we will also keep all families informed of the general situation. For now, I ask that you keep these children and families in your thoughts and prayers. I will be in touch as there is more news to share. "
What I left off was that, of those children that were hospitalized, a little girl that was referred had passed away from an infection more serious than pneumonia. It was an awful bit of news to hear. It has been very difficult to focus on the good news we have received, knowing Nhi is getting better, when another family in our same situation has suffered such a great loss. We wish them all our good thoughts, prayers and condolences.
"It has been a difficult week for several children in Bac Lieu who are struggling with illness and who were admitted to the hospital. A total of 5 children are currently in the care of the Bac Lieu General hospital receiving treatment for pneumonia. I have informed all families who are directly affected by this situation. Several children at the Bac Lieu orphanage have been fighting (to varying degrees) diarrhea, upper respiratory infections and, in some cases, pneumonia. Please know that FTIA, the Bac Lieu orphanage, Vietnamese health officials and doctors & nurses at the Bac Lieu General Hospital are taking the situation very seriously. We are following up with families as often as there are updates about their particular child's situation. In cases when it is necessary to admit a child to the Bac Lieu General Hospital, we feel confident that the hospital is able to provide the level of care that is needed.
In response to this very unfortunate event, FTIA is working with provincial and orphanage officials to be as cooperative as possible. Children in orphanages often trade germs and infections because they live in such close proximity to one another. The current weather in Bac Lieu is also thought to be a factor, partly because this recent spike in illness and hospital admissions is not limited to the orphanage. As such, the Bac Lieu Preventative Health Center has already visited the orphanage to sanitize and sterilize the facility so that the environment is as healthy as possible for those children living there. We also informed the IAD, DOLISA and all relevant parties of what is happening, asking for their cooperation to urge officials in Vietnam to process these adoption cases as efficiently as possible so that children do not remain in the orphanage unnecessarily long, especially when they have adoptive families waiting and eager to receive them.
In this situation, you are undoubtedly asking what you can do to help and worrying about the safety of the child you hope to bring into your family. Please be assured that FTIA will inform any family directly affected by this situation, and we will also keep all families informed of the general situation. For now, I ask that you keep these children and families in your thoughts and prayers. I will be in touch as there is more news to share. "
What I left off was that, of those children that were hospitalized, a little girl that was referred had passed away from an infection more serious than pneumonia. It was an awful bit of news to hear. It has been very difficult to focus on the good news we have received, knowing Nhi is getting better, when another family in our same situation has suffered such a great loss. We wish them all our good thoughts, prayers and condolences.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
He's sick.
We received news on Monday from the agency that Nieman and 3 other children from his orphanage are sick. They felt they might have pneumonia so they were taken to the local hospital to get treatment.
Tuesday, we found out he did have confirmed pneumonia and was receiving oxygen treatments to help his breathing. Today, we heard he is doing much better. We are receiving very little information from the Dr., but the agency assures us that if it was more serious they would give us the details.
It's been a bumpy ride over the last two weeks for the family. My mom has been in the hospital for 2 weeks. I was hit in the head by a basketball from one of my patients, accidentally, and received a slight concussion and now Nieman is in the hospital. So we need some good wishes and prayers, if so desired.
I will post more when we hear more.
Tuesday, we found out he did have confirmed pneumonia and was receiving oxygen treatments to help his breathing. Today, we heard he is doing much better. We are receiving very little information from the Dr., but the agency assures us that if it was more serious they would give us the details.
It's been a bumpy ride over the last two weeks for the family. My mom has been in the hospital for 2 weeks. I was hit in the head by a basketball from one of my patients, accidentally, and received a slight concussion and now Nieman is in the hospital. So we need some good wishes and prayers, if so desired.
I will post more when we hear more.
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