SOS Clinic and Embassy Interview

We had the SOS Clinic visit and 2nd Embassy Interview yesterday.

The French doctor at the clinic may have thrown things for a loop for us. She listened to Lan's heart and then told us that she has a heart murmur. We weren't aware of this, but, we know that many children have heart murmurs and that most of the time, they aren't a big deal. Even if it is a big deal, it's not as if, at this point, we wouldn't take her home with us.

BUT, the French doctor says, "before I can sign your paperwork for the Embassy, she must have an ultrasound to determine if she can fly."

WHAT??

So, David says, "she flew here from DaNang - she's already been on an airplane."

And the doctor says, 'No, she must have the ultrasound to see if she can fly."

We leave the examining room and speak to our Holt representative, who tells the clinic staff that we are leaving for the Embassy and that he needs to know if the doctor will sign the papers or not. The doctor agrees to sign the papers but insists that we come back to the clinic for an ultrasound that will cost $87.00. Suffice it to say I felt like I was about to fall apart.

We got to the Embassy and went into the interview room, and the Embassy employee opens the envelope from the doctor. On the front page, the doctor has signed that Lan has no defects that would prevent her coming to the US (i.e. TB or HIV). BUT, on the back of the form, the doctor has written, 'pending ultrasound re:heart murmur before departure."

So, the Embassy woman says, "I don't know what to do with this?" So, she has a conversation with another employee, and says, "well, you are aware that she has a heart murmur and that she needs to see a doctor within one month of coming to the US?" and we say, "of course we will take her to a doctor! We'll take her to the Univ.of Michigan if we need to. We'll take her to the Cleveland Clinic if we need to." So, the embassy worker says, "well, I am going to stamp this, 'ok to issue visa" and you just need to get her to a heart doctor at home. Come back tomorrow at 4PM to pick up the child's visa and passport."

So, now we are just praying that no one at the Embassy changes their minds. There is a vague possibility to get on a flight out of Hanoi tonight at midnight. If we don't make that flight, we won't be able to leave until Sunday or Tuesday.

Cross your fingers and your toes for us,
Gretchen