Whoopie!

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  It has come as such as relief to us...We recently learned the pediatrician, that we have long hoped would take our child on as a patient, has kindly agreed to squeeze us into her practice. It is very hard to find a pediatrician that specializes in internationally adopted children in the Boston area, let alone locally, but we're in luck! For years, we have heard great things about a particular doctor, who's practice is minutes from our house, who is also a parent of a child adopted from China, and who has a focused interest in internationally adopted children. JACKPOT!!! ....Or so we thought - until I looked into it and found out that she was not taking on new patients. On an impulse, I mailed a letter that had a hint of groveling and a dash of flattery to it. I asked the doctor to provide a consultation for us. This means, when we are presented with the medical summaries of a child that we may consider for adoption, she would review the file and make recommendations (this is a standard practice). We also asked her to keep us in mind, if a slot should open up within her practice. The doctor's secretary sent us correspondence relaying that the doctor was out on maternity leave until November, but that she would advocate for our request. Well, long story not so short (sorry), after many months of finger-crossing, the doctor responded that she would add us into her patient care. Yippee! It may not seem like such a big deal to many, but for us, it means that our pediatrician will be attuned to the unique needs of a child that:
• has received institutional care
• may come home with skin rashes and/or other illnesses typically found in orphanages
• will have transitional needs/struggles once we are home
• may need assistance catching up with developmental norms
• may experience issues at school that relate to adoption
• will have no known medical history
• etc.. I'm sure we'll learn them as we go :)

Dr. K has come highly recommended by our homestudy social worker and several adoption experts. It is comforting to have this important piece of the puzzle in place.