Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers today as we went through our medical panel. Violet picked us up this morning at 10 AM and we drove across town to the medical complex. The complex was really large comprised of maybe 6 multi story buildings. We checked in and then proceeded upstairs to get our souvenir - we each got an x ray. I guess in Russia they like to have chest x rays to be sure there is no TB. We were tested in the States but no x ray is ordered unless something turns up. Not so here. We then went back down to our interview room, which was basically a conference room with a small section partitioned off with a medical table. Two Italian couples who are adopting as well joined us in the panel. The doctors normally come all at once and each takes a turn going through the process. However, this weekend begins a National celebration of Women. The holiday will be through the weekend and on Monday. Because of this, the doctors were very busy and came in as they had time. We were there about 4 hours while we went through the process. Eight doctors came through to visit. One doctor gave us a hard time about not having our medical blood panels but our sweet Violet jumped in and told her how long she had been working with this process and that our Medical referral letter was enough. With your prayers and Violet's strong suggestions we didn't have to have blood work done! Yay!
We did have several turns behind the screen with our shirts off. I have no idea what they checked us for but they signed the paperwork and took our money! We were very happy to be finished. We did have to be checked by a psychiatrist . Claire was most worried for me during this time! I think we tricked her! Surprisingly all the doctors were women. I guess Russia has come a long way since the USSR.
After we left the clinic we drove to Red Square and Violet took us on a 1 1/2 hour tour. The sun was shining, people were everywhere because of the holiday and the afternoon was perfect! Jill, we went in the most opulent mall I have ever seen. We took pictures for you! Every store you could imagine. Violet said that everything there was tremendously expensive because of the location but the amazing nature of the mall almost grabs you in.
We walked beside the Kremlin, stood in front of St. Basil's Cathedral, saw Lennon's tomb (not John), went into an Orthodox Church on the Square and saw the History Museum. What an incredible ending to our great journey. We then drove around the City just to get back to the CSS office to drop off our medical papers. Now we are back in the hotel where we are about to have dinner. We are going to eat pancakes! That is part of the celebration for women. I am going to try Smoked salmon, chopped red onion and sour cream all baked into the cakes or poached salmon with spinach and fish cream sauce. I think Claire is going to have Toffee banana, dark rum, with chocolate ice cream!
We might have a couple cheese burgers too!
We love you all very much and are being picked up at 9 AM to be taken to the airport. Delta flight 47 leaves Moscow around 1 pm landing in Atl at 4:30. I can't believe it's only a 3 1/2 hour return flight! Maybe its almost 12 but who's counting. We'll be dreaming of our girls and our little boy!
Josh and Claire
We did have several turns behind the screen with our shirts off. I have no idea what they checked us for but they signed the paperwork and took our money! We were very happy to be finished. We did have to be checked by a psychiatrist . Claire was most worried for me during this time! I think we tricked her! Surprisingly all the doctors were women. I guess Russia has come a long way since the USSR.
After we left the clinic we drove to Red Square and Violet took us on a 1 1/2 hour tour. The sun was shining, people were everywhere because of the holiday and the afternoon was perfect! Jill, we went in the most opulent mall I have ever seen. We took pictures for you! Every store you could imagine. Violet said that everything there was tremendously expensive because of the location but the amazing nature of the mall almost grabs you in.
We walked beside the Kremlin, stood in front of St. Basil's Cathedral, saw Lennon's tomb (not John), went into an Orthodox Church on the Square and saw the History Museum. What an incredible ending to our great journey. We then drove around the City just to get back to the CSS office to drop off our medical papers. Now we are back in the hotel where we are about to have dinner. We are going to eat pancakes! That is part of the celebration for women. I am going to try Smoked salmon, chopped red onion and sour cream all baked into the cakes or poached salmon with spinach and fish cream sauce. I think Claire is going to have Toffee banana, dark rum, with chocolate ice cream!
We might have a couple cheese burgers too!
We love you all very much and are being picked up at 9 AM to be taken to the airport. Delta flight 47 leaves Moscow around 1 pm landing in Atl at 4:30. I can't believe it's only a 3 1/2 hour return flight! Maybe its almost 12 but who's counting. We'll be dreaming of our girls and our little boy!
Josh and Claire
can't wait to see y'all :) i think we all (dunlaps, lesleys, usserys & hesters) should grab dinner and go see high school musical at the springer! are y'all planning on going?
ReplyDeleteHave a safe flight home! Prayers to you! Glad to hear all went well with the 8-doc medical. Sending lots of wonderful thoughts for a quick court date for your family.
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