Waiting and Praying for Hope

It’s been 2 years, 2 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days since our LID (since China received our paperwork to adopt Hope). We are trusting in God’s sovereign timing. We know His ways and plans are best.

We love you, Hope, and look forward to bringing you home soon. ♥

Summary Pictures

Yesterday around noon, someone found out that chicken broth tastes better when included as part of a fancy tea party!

Because she drank all her Gatorade/laxative mixture in time last night, Cherish's older friend let her borrow her clothing to wear to the hospital today:

Hanging out with "Signing Dog" that all the nurses and doctors were signing: (Thanks, Louise!)

Getting drowsy:

Papa Bear came to stay for the duration:

Getting rolled away:

Our sweet girl!

Procedure Day, Part II

Well, we are on our way home. Cherish did great—the “happy juice” worked well, and she didn’t mind leaving us when the time came for the departure.

The doctor said she looks good—no Crohn’s disease or Celiac, but he took some biopsies. We will find out the results probably on Tuesday.

By far the worst part of the entire experience for Cherish was the recovery. She was completely disoriented and scared(obviously), and in much pain (IV, throat, and stomach). I don’t want to even put into words the experience of recovery room #2, but I will say I am so glad Derek and I were both there, and that it is now over.

Cherish is doing very well now. Much better!

Pictures soon.

Procedure Day, Part I

Let me back up first: Cherish did great with the purge. I kept praising God. She smiled and we joked all the way through. Her fun spirit took away my stress.

For “Special Day” we pulled the couch bed out and put a movie on and continued late into the night. It was a good family night.

We had Cherish wear pull-ups throughout the evening and night—which turned out to be a good idea. She is quite flexible and just went along with whatever we suggested.

She never once asked for any food yesterday! It made mommy’s “job” of “obeying” doctor’s orders so much easier. No asking. No whining. No complaining. Thank You, Lord!

We are now at Wolfson's Children's Hospital, and we are awaiting the anesthesiologist. The nurses always wait until the child is “out” before giving the IV. Praise God!

She just got the “happy juice”….

Preparation Day, Part III

Our sweet neighbor, Mrs. Linda, a mother and grandmother, REALLY helped! She gave Cherish challenges with rewards if she could drink the Gatorade (laxative) down to certain points by certain times. Though Cherish was in so much pain, she tried so hard to please Mrs. Linda. She was to finish the laxative solution no later than 8 p.m. She finished at 7:45 p.m. (I was jumping up and down cheering!)

Cherish is in a lot of pain and discomfort, but she continues to smile. I continue to be amazed at this child’s sweet spirit!

God is giving us all strength and providing wisdom through so many friends! We thank Him mightily!

After Cherish finishes purging (time?), she will have a bath and then an Albuterol treatment before she falls asleep and one more vile in the morning (per O.R. and her anesthesiologist).

We check in to the hospital by 8:20 a.m., and we’ll update from there. Thanks for praying for us and continuing along with us.