Day 6: Medical Exam

This morning was the dreaded medical exam. We met our guide in the hotel lobby at 10:20. I didn't know exactly what to expect. When we arrived there were at least a dozen other families there at different stages of the medical appointment. The first room was for her visa photo. That was quick and painless. Then we waited while our guide processed Maeli's medical records with the receptionist. Her medical files from the institute are logged into the system and the medical office determines what additional immunizations are needed in order for Maeli to meet Hague requirements to immigrate to the United States. Unfortunately, the medical care standard in China is generally lower than America, therefore, any immunizations she receives here will have to be redone or a blood titer will be necessary to see if the immunizations were effective.



All children over the age of 2 are required to have a TB test. They draw blood for the test so that children don't have to return to have the skin read. We weren't allowed to go back for that portion but she came out smiling.


After the blood draw, she saw the physician who checked her ears and mouth.





At the next station, the nurse took her blood pressure, weight, height, and did a vision screening. They commented that her vision was very good!








The next room consisted of checking her heart, lungs, and a general examination of her body. Our last stop, which I didn't capture was the shot room. She had to get four additional immunizations in order to be current. I felt so bad for her! On the bright side, she misunderstood our guide and thought she had to get ten!!! She was relieved that it was "only" four! Bless her! She didn't cry and was a champ the whole time! I told her we would get her surprise when we left. :)


After we left the medical exam, we stopped at a grocery store that carried the same store brand as Wal-Mart. It was neat to see all the different kinds of foods. We found comfort in the potato chip aisle!





These are kinda of like beef jerky in America except the packages have food items like fish with bones, and other unidentifiable meats.


We didn't put any of these in our cart but they were interesting to look at!





In China, you have to pay for each plastic bag you use. We picked up a few China reusable shopping bags to bring home.


After we returned to the hotel and settled in, we met my wonderful friend, Coco at our hotel for lunch. She flew in to visit with us for a few days. It has been such a blessing to have native friends in China to help us with communicating with Maeli and to also give Maeli a sense of reassurance. Coco will be teaching Chinese in America next year, so it was neat for Maeli to meet her in China before she comes. We enjoyed Maeli's favorite foods: noodles and dumplings. I have to say I have grown to love them too and can't wait for Maeli to teach me how to cook them when we return home.





After dinner, we took the subway to a 7 floor wholesale shopping center. They have literally hundreds of shops that you can purchase jewelry, silks, toys, and other items. I was a little overwhelmed by all the shops and decided to wait and purchase most of the items on my gift list with Ann, a personal shopping assistant, on Monday. We did find a few things and it was neat to negotiate with the shop owners.