The doctor from Moscow

We decided to have a  pediatrician from Moscow examine Sonya at the orphanage. This had been recommended to us  by our adoption agency because  the medical records and tests  provided by the orphanage are not always reliable.

I was lucky to reach the doctor  by email. She was a pediatrician who worked at the American Hospital in Moscow. She had been recommended by the adoption agency.  She was willing to fly in for the day for $1000 + the cost of airfare. It was a lot of money, but we were willing to spend it in order to assuage any anxiety regarding Sonya's health. I  felt  confident that she was in good health, but still wanted   some sort of confirmation from a reputable doctor.

The doctor arrived on friday, our last day in Perm.  Artur picked her up at the airport and we all drove the long drive together to Bereznicki. She was a young doctor in her 30's or so. She spoke perfect english and was very attractive with a halo of dark curly hair. I believe she was of turkish origin.

We arrived at the Bereznicki Baby home as the orphanage was called. We  asked for Sonya and was told that she was at the eye doctor. We were surprised by this since we had told the assistant director that we would be coming with our doctor today. Sonya's eyes were red and infected the previous day. Perhaps they wanted to treat her before our doctor arrived.

It seemed that the orphanage was often shipping the children out to be examined by local clinics.  I had the suspicion that this was some way of spreading the government money to many different clinicians. 

The assistant director and the other caregivers at the orphanage were  very respectful towards  the doctor.  It was obviously a big deal to have this doctor come all the way from Moscow. 

They brought us all tea and cookies, something they had never done before. They let the doctor look over the medical records and all of the paperwork while Sonya was at the eye doctor. 

Finally, Sonya  returned and our doctor was able to examine her.

The doctor poked and prodded her and looked into her mouth, eyes, ears and nose.  She listened to her heart and  checked her reflexes - She took copious notes. She looked at her hands and feet. After much examination, she declared her to be  a healthy and intelligent baby who showed no signs of  fetal Alcohol Syndrome. We were much relieved. 

The doctor re-translated all the medical information for  us. She also found the letter of relinquishment  by Sonya's birthmother. She showed it to us and remarked at  how nice her handwriting was. This was evidence that she had been well  educated . This was precious information to  us. Indeed, her handwriting was  very neat and careful. 

We were leaving Perm that afternoon. This would be the last time we would see Sonya until our return in a few months. I fed her formula out of the funny bottle, and kissed her good bye. her caregiver took  her away  to her crib in the nursery.

 At the last second, I asked if I could see her one last time in her crib. They brought me upstairs where the children slept.

 The nursery was a  long and  narrow room   with back to back cribs.  There were six in a row. I noticed that the special toy we had brought her, the woozit,  was already hanging up, out of her reach.  The nursery was old fashioned looking, but very clean  - Everything was white. It looked like a sanitorium in an old movie.  I  walked passed all the babies in their cribs. and found Sonya. She was still awake and lying on her back, wrapped in a blanket.  

She looked so sweet in her crib, yet lonely too. I kissed her  and waved goodbye. I told her not to worry because we would be back for her very soon. Perhaps I was consoling myself more than her at that moment. 

I kissed her Goodbye, feeling sad and dazed  to be leaving without her. 

We left that day, and didn't return again for 3 months.