March 9, 2019- Bin’s Medical Exam

Today we went to the clinic for Bin’s medical exam for his exit immigrant visa.  All of the families on our adoption schedule met in the hotel lobby and we loaded the bus to head to the clinic.  Before going into the clinic we made a stop on another floor of the building to file his application.  From there we jumped onto the elevator and got off at the medical floor.  There were several other American adoptive families there, waiting with their children.  The first station was the eyes, ears, nose and throat station.  Bin sat in a chair while someone wearing one of those old fashioned headbands with the reflector on it checked out all the holes in his head.  

Once that was done, he headed to the next station which was an eye exam. He was tested for color blindness and given an eye chart exam; both of which he passed with flying colors.  

The next station was the one we were not looking forward to; the Tuberculosis test station where he would get his blood drawn.  We were not allowed to go into the room with him this time.  While we waited for our turn we watched children go into the room alone while the staff shut the door.  A few minutes later there could usually be heard crying from the other side.  When the door opened the staff would hand off the crying child to the parents to comfort them and get on with their lives.  When it was Bin’s turn he didn’t seem too scared. I’m not sure how close he had been paying attention to the before and after scenarios of what went on behind that door, but if so he didn’t give any indication. We huddled in front of the door waiting for him, listening for crying, screaming, etc.  We never heard anything and when the door finally opened he came out, not crying but looking none too happy nonetheless.  We sat in my lap while I held pressure on his arm where they had drawn his blood.  We had tissues and candy ready for him.  He didn’t need the tissues and wasn’t interested in the candy.  The very last station was a head to toe exam by a physician.  He sat in a chair while the doctor looked him over, turning his head, bending his arms and legs, asking him questions, etc.  Then she had him lie down on an exam table and examined his torso.  She told us he was healthy, and also smart, based on the math questions she quizzed him with during her questions.  

The whole thing took about 30 minutes, in between waiting for his turn and getting examined. 

Once that was over we headed back to the hotel.   We spent the rest of the day napping, lounging, and generally resting and doing nothing.  For dinner we walked across the street to a noodle café that would become one of our regular places during our time here.  We could all four fill up on delicious food for about $8.00. Can't beat that!