Almost the breaking point

At 8:00 we ventured out to begin the merry-go-round known as obtaining medical clearances in Russia. Irina and her husband (who actually took a couple days off from work!)had our day all mapped out, and we weaved our way through the narrow, snow covered streets of Angarsk from clinic to clinic. We went prepared with a backpack filled with toys and books to occupy Skip, some snacks for all of us, a book for me to read, and the knowledge that we HAD to do this in order to stand a chance a court. We cruised along, until we got to the point where we learned the dermatologist requried bloodwork on ALL of us. For me, it's not a biggie, and for Mike, he's not thrilled about giving blood, but he survives it just fine. Now Skip - well that is a different story as you might imagine. It broke my heart to him - panic striken - being led to the room by the Nurse on one side, and Mike on the other. I thought I'd stay and help - but I couldn't. His sobs of "NYET" - meaning "NO" - were too much for me and I left he room in tears. Irina, who waitied with me outside the room, cried when she saw me crying.

Don't get me wrong - I understand that a sick child MUST endure this, but Skip is not sick. The sick person is the Judge who for no inexplicable reason other than pure hatred towards Americans, mandated this testing today. For the very first time during this 4-year-process I asked myself if all this was worth it. We've endured the hardships, delays, and setbacks - not happily - but we endured - never waivering from our goal to bring Harry home. But, watching my little boy put through this suddenly brought me to as near to the breaking point as one can get... At that point I fought the urge to hate this judge, who until now, I have only felt pity for. Instead, it was me who fought through the urge and rather than let this person cause me to hate, I prayed for her....

To Skip's credit - as soon as the needle was in - and he realized that it hadn't hurt - he stopped crying immediately and began to talk to the Nurse, who spoke some English, and was actually very sympathetic. She kept calling him brave, and gave him handfuls of candy as a reward.

From then on, it was back to smooth sailing, going from one appt. to the next. Irina & Vova have perfected the routine, and are getting us through this with remarkable speed (and patience).

We arrived home at 7:00 p.m - some 11 hours after we left the apt. We're tired, and sore from sitting on hard benches all day, but we're good. And, we're happy to report that we have obtained 16 of the 24 signatures well need to satisfy the requirments of the judge! Tomorrow we head out early again, and will visit Harry in between and with any luck, by Thursday morning we will have al 24 signatures and will be able to have the Head of the Clinics put his seal of approval on the documents. And then - it'll be a few days to relax in the countryside! I am SO looking forward to it. I think we've earned it - don't you?