So far, so good! Luc's second surgery was a success! They used part of his triceps tendon to refashion a new annular ligament to hold the radius in place. Just to be sure that it stays there until it heals, the surgeon put in a BIG 'ole pin--which will be removed in the OR in a couple of weeks. The surgeon did let us know that she thought that he should get MOST of his range of motion back. This is not a prognosis that we're willing to accept, so we've started ancillary healing modalities--acupuncture, Reiki, supplements. As soon as he's able, we'll start PT and OT. So far, he's healing well this time. And he's getting his energy back. It's nerve-wracking for us to watch him TRY to walk. There is no slow motion for this child! We held our collective breath and let him go to camp this week. So far, so good.
Luc is still sleeping in his little sister's room and he has a new invention. The kiss launcher! Each night before he goes to sleep, he blows kisses for May into the ceiling fan which he calls the Express Train to Vietnam. (I'm sure he'd be a little embarrassed if his best buddies knew, but I think it's beautifully sweet.) He will be a GREAT big brother.
And as for our progress toward little May, I promised myself that I wouldn't count, but...well...I couldn't help it. I was SURE that we were close to the halfway mark in the 60 days (not that 60 days means much these days anyway). OK, so...we are only Business DAY 15 since receiving our I-600 receipt. AH! It's an agonizing wait. Especially, with all of the uncertainty in the process.
Our fellow travelers on this roller coaster journey have been bouncing along in so many different directions. The State Department issued a statement yesterday estimating that of the 1,700 families with dossiers in country by the July 1 deadline, only about half will receive referrals by the September 1st closing date (and, therefore, be able to finish the process). Our hearts break for the families who will not know the beauty of Vietnam, whose hopes for parenthood are dimmed, and for the children who may never know forever families. Our hearts break also for the families caught in legal limbo waiting month after month to hear if their referred child--the child of their hearts--will be issued a US Visa. It strikes fear in our own hearts to think that May could be similarly stuck--her fate linked to ours and yet with us unable to bring her home.
And, then, we are buoyed by the news that a few more families have been issued travel approval--including a family that I have never met, yet with whom I have shared emails and late night worried, hopeful conversations. They reached out to me when I was losing faith and tomorrow they will hold their daughter for the first time! How wonderful!
As I write this, the sun has just come out in the middle of a pouring rain. Again. How amazing!
May hope and magic reign.
