While Lyla was in the PICU receiving her blood transfusion, Scott and I stepped out to run some errands. The first thing we decided to do was try to figure out how to get better Internet. The Internet at the hotel does not work very well. The main reason we need it is to communicate with the orphanage about going back for the passport application. We can not even pull up a simple email. In addition to that, we would need to book flights, etc. All hard to do without Internet.
But before we actually left the hospital, Scott decided to ask around about where to go to try to get a USB Internet drive for the computer, so we could have it anywhere we are and anytime we need it.
He walked back in to the room with a big grin, a great sight to see, after the stress of the day if not being able to communicate with the orphanage, or our agent, etc. He said he walked into a store and just asked a man about it. He said the man reached into a drawer and pulled a USB Internet driver out. He told Scott he had just bought it, but learned he did not need it now. Scott would just need to take the “Doggle” and get it activated at a VODA Phone store.
He gave it to Scott for free, and gave him very good directions to a VODA store. We felt this was another way of God showing His provision over us. When we feel helpless He always shows up!
Next we hopped in a rickshaw and headed to VODA store together. While in the store, we had learned that we needed a passport, and a drivers license, and a photograph in order to get a sim card for the usb driver to be activated. We had passports, no license, and no photo.
We kept trying to explain to the workers that we did not have these items. Scott had asked me before we ever left the states to not bring any a license with me, or any of the main items I carry in my wallet, just in case it was lost or stolen. He had planned on the same. He told the ladies, let me just check my wallet to see if I have anything…they needed a license to prove his permanent address. And lo and behold there was his license. He had forgotten to take it out. To which we again give thanks to the Lord, before he had totally planned to not bring it and leave it at home.
But there was still the issue of the photograph… Suddenly Scott remembered my Bible was in the bag, and I had some pictures of he and I from Hillary Florence Statum’s wedding in my Bible…she had one of those fun photo booth things at her reception. So all of the photos are rather comical of Scott and I, because we are not being serious at all. The workers got a good laugh out of that, but said they could not use them because they look social.
At this point, I just broke down in tears. Scott told me later, that he was impressed that I could cry on demand like that…. But unfortunately it was not show. I has reached the maximum I could handle at that point. I explained to them in tears….my daughter, who we just adopted, is in the hospital, we need Internet to connect with her orphanage, and I am tired. The ladies immediately took compassion on me. One in particular stepped up and said I know a photograph place I can take you to. I will walk you there, if you like. To which we graciously accepted.
This young lady, Sush, we got to know as we walked. She is a very experienced young lady. She has travelled to Chicago for job training, and all over Europe. She was very friendly, and very well spoken. She was a God send, which of course we told her we thought she was, and explained how we believe Jesus is all powerful and controls everything. And, that we are thankful to Him, because He sent her to help us.
We arrived at the photograph place, and Scott got his pictures taken for 100 rupees. That is $2 for us. The photographers were very friendly, and very fascinated that we had adopted. That is one thing I have also noticed, that people here are very impressed that we adopted. The great thing is that it allows us to share our faith with them and our call by God to adopt, as well as show them the picture of how we believe God has adopted us into His family. They always tell us, “Your daughter is very blessed to have been chosen by you.” To which we reply, “No, we are the blessed ones.”
After getting everything worked for the sim card, etc. We were back on our way to the hotel, but only after giving Sush a hug and exchanging numbers. I think she may come have dinner with us one night, and take me shopping. She was definitely a blessing to us.
We ate lunch at the hotel. The food is so good there. They have excellent Indian food, and also Chinese food. Today we had Chinese…and it was excellent too. Scott left and headed back to the hospital while I stayed and showered. This would be my first time walking to the hospital by myself, but I need to get some practice being alone, because Scott will be gone soon.
The walk went just fine. It always feels weird to be stared at. I just kept smiling at all the women I saw and they would smile back. Finally I got to the hospital, but I had to cross a busy street to get to it. Well that was a big show for all of the Indians sitting outside the hospital. I had this feeling they were making wagers about if the white girl was going to make it across the street or not.
Anyone betting on me won! I made it. Of course, when I got to the room, Scott was all worried, because he felt like I was gone too long. In fact, he had called a security guy to the room to see how he could find me. But the security guys and I arrived at the same time. 🙂
Lyla had still not come back from the PICU, but when the nurses saw I was back they asked me to go to the PICU because Lyla was calling for me. (Made my heart jump to hear that for sure!)
Scott and I went together. They asked us to put scrubs on. I had done this before, but for some reason it seemed harder this time. Knowing others had worn these same scrubs, and the little hats on their heads…I got the lice fear once again. They just hang up on a rack outside the door and you put them on and everyone who goes in to the PICU put them on there and takes them off and hangs them back on the rack… But you know, parents do anything for their children. Plus I have been using a natural shampoo that my friend Renea made for me, so I am counting on it to work!
She was all smiles when we walked in and you can tell the entire PICU staff, from the janitors to the doctors are smitten with her. Everyone of them can not walk by without talking to her, and touching her. And, she reached out for them too.
Dr. Suman came in later as well as a Pediatrician, but I did not catch his name. They informed us that there is still infection in her body, and they are not comfortable doing the procedure yet again. They were nervous about telling us this, because they know we are anxious to get home as quick as possible. But we reassured them we want what is best for her, and they were relieved.
So, now the procedure will be on Friday. They ran some tests on her, thinking maybe she had a urinary tract infection, but that came back negative. They are still unsure of where and what the infection is, because the child just does not act sick. If they did this procedure while she has an infection, they said it could be very dangerous, and more than likely would require open heart surgery. There plan is still to give her antibiotics, and wait until Friday. We are good with it and appreciate the Doctors loving and caring for her so much.
We left the PICU and returned to the room. She got a nice meal, and it was off to bed.
Back to the USB Internet, now that we have purchased the plan, it is not working. Scott will have to go back to VODA phone tomorrow. The hospital was kind enough to give their password to us to sign on to wifi. It is better than the hotel, but has a ton of pages blocked. We can check email and post blogs. So if you need us, reach us on email.
I am sure everything is fine on the home front, just missing hearing updates about my babies and video chatting with them. Hope to have that all worked out this afternoon.
