rejoicing!

Lucy Mei's MRI was this morning.

.....and it was NORMAL.

Normal, as in, 100% absolutely perfect. 

There are 2 options to adopt from China: Non Special Needs and Special Needs.

Non Special Needs adoptions are a 6 year wait, if not longer. The wait is extending every year.

Lucy Mei was classified as Special Needs. Her identified need was a "cerebral hemorrhage".

When Lucy was abandoned, at approximately 1 month of age, a CT scan reportedly revealed a hemorrhage. At 18 months of age, a repeat scan did not confirm a hemorrhage.

We received Lucy's referral at 21 months of age. We consulted with a doctor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital International Adoption Clinic, Dr. Mary Staat (fabulous!!!!). Dr. Staat is the founding Director of the Clinic, and a fellow international adoptive Mama.

Dr. Staat felt strongly that due to Lucy's growth, development, photos and latest CT scan, she was likely "healthy", and possibly no hemorrhage ever existed. If a hemorrhage did exist, it likely healed with little, if any, implications.

However, she also warned that Lucy could experience delays (various, depending on location of the brain bleed) if a hemorrhage did occur. We did not have actual scans or know accuracy of the scans, the written reports or even the translation of the scans before accepting her referral.

We only knew her sweet face. And that she was our child.

Once we met our sweet Lucy Mei in person, we felt strongly her delays were very likely orphanage driven. The MRI was necessary to confirm our suspicions, but also to assist us in treating Lucy if a hemorrhage did exist.

We arrived at the hospital at 6 a.m. for a sedated head (with and without contrast) MRI.

The first major hurdle (besides no food/drink) was taking her vitals. The nurse gave her a super soft Teddy Bear and she loved it! Her first stuffed animal. :) She loved pointing out his body parts.

The next major hurdle was the IV. It took 4 of us to hold her down. Poor girl. Once it was in, she was good to go!

Then, it was off to the pediatrics playroom to wait for the MRI call. 

She loved this pop-up toy, Santa!

We LOVE her facial expressions!

The doctor administered Versed (a "relaxing" medication) into her IV once we were in radiology. It kicked in within seconds! She was a hoot!!! I was holding her and she rocked back and gave the biggest smiles. The nurse carried her into the MRI room, and we went to wait. 

After the MRI, Lucy was wheeled back to her room. It was strange seeing her sleeping without sucking her thumb. :(

The nurse said all went well. We took final vitals and waited for the Versed to wear off! :)

Shortly after leaving the hospital, our nurse from Cincinnati Children's called. I was shocked at how quickly they received our local hospital's report! 

She gave the most wonderful news: Lucy's MRI was completely normal!

I asked her to read the entire report.

Not a single item of concern or abnormality. She stated, IF there ever was a hemorrhage (healed or unhealed),  it VERY likely would have shown on the radiology report.

I was beyond relieved, grateful, over the moon happy! It felt like a HUGE weight had been lifted....and I sobbed. Actually pulled the van over because I couldn't drive through the tears.

Lucy Mei has been through so much in her short, precious life. It's good to put this behind us. We are very, very grateful.

Blessings,