A MEDICAL NOTE ABOUT ELYSA

We know that there are many people out there who are still waiting to meet their daughters, and are searching the blogs for any information that can help them prepare for when it is their turn. This post is primarily for them.

We have recently been told that Elysa has two blood disorders. At this point, we have a referral to a specialist and the implications of this news is still unknown. It may or may not pose long term issues for her, however, learning and knowing this information is VERY important to us/her because of some common things we need to make sure she avoids. Based on her overall health/condition we are thinking positively and are very hopeful that it will end up being a very minor part of her life. We are not comfortable posting her exact medical information openly, so will suffice to say that it is genetic in nature, and so was not something that was identified pre-adoption. The good news is aside from that, she is very healthy, and she is gaining weight as well as making good developmental progress.

So the point of this post is this.... Our agency and I'm sure others, gave us a laundry list of labs to have done upon returning to the US. We are fortunate in that our doctor did not balk at this list and actually ran even more tests than those that were recommended, (unlike some of the stories we've heard and read about), and this news makes sitting through having a lot of your child's blood drawn worth it (if you've been there, you know what I'm talking about!!). Your child's medical history will most likely be largely unknown to anyone. Getting complete baseline info is critical. Like they say... knowledge is power.

One last thing for anyone out there who is wondering about the "guaranteeing the health of these children" issue, NO... WE WOULDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING! This sort of thing happens everyday to families- biological and adoptive. Elysa is terrific, and this news does not change that. Now that we know this information, we can take steps to protect her and keep her healthy. However, prayers and good wishes are always welcome....