Another week in Pakistan . . . going on 190 days, 27 weeks, 6.5 months!Some weeks are just simply harder than others . . . & this week has been the most difficult so far! . . . Even in the dark valleys, God is Joy, True, Just & Faithful! :)
Tuesday (7/12) – No news from USCIS.
Throughout this week, we are dealing with the Giardia (intestinal parasite) as best we can . . . Whew! the last couple of days Gracy has gone through 15-20 diapers a day! (Yes, that is correct! During the worst of it, in 1 hour I changed her 4 times!) So . . . we didn’t go ANYWHERE this week. Stayed close to the g.house.
Saturday (7/16) – Skyped with Uppa D (cousin Dalend) & Nicky.
USCIS New Delhi sent the I-600 Orphan Status Decision to my US residence address via FedEx. Today, Uppa D received it, opened the FedEx envelope & read USCIS’s decision to me . . . Marina Grace’s I-600 orphan status has been Denied . . . we are all so disappointed! This document is the NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny) which will go into effect after a 30 day wait for applicant response. I have consulted with my immigration attorney, who is experienced with Pakistani immigrations, specifically IR-4 adoption immigration visas, and I have been counseled that MG’s case facts are definitely legally strong & in compliance with USCIS orphan status guidelines. So, we will be responding back to the NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny) within the 30 day trimeframe with a counter response based on a legal, sound argument for orphan status. We have no timeline for the USCIS reply to our NOID response, however, I'm told by my attorney, it could take several months & should we have to appeal the final Denial, possibly 2 years before a final resolution. So . . . we hang on knowing that “Truth will make itself known”. And, praying that USCIS will respond favorably to our NOID response.
Sunday (7/17) – After 8 days of treatment for Giardia, Gracy is retested at the diagnostic lab . . . We will get the test results/report back tomorrow.
Monday (7/18) – The lab report came back with no signs of Giardia cysts! YEAH! We go see Dr. Rubina tonight for a follow up.
While we are at Dr. Rubina’s clinic . . . much discussion is had over Gracy’s medical condition, Ankyloglossia (tongue-tie). In May, Gracy was diagnosed with a very severe, thick tongue-tie condition which requires surgery to release her tongue. The prognosis - excellent! However, since Gracy is in such a critical stage of language acquisition & she will not be allowed to travel to the US within the next several months, the decision has been made to have her tongue-tie corrected through surgery here in Islamabad.
So over the next couple days, I’m deep in . . . researching medical doctors, somewhat difficult, child specialists are few & far between. As with anything in Pakistan . . . you have to be extremely careful & know that you know!
Tuesday (7/19) – Late in the evening, I finally consult a surgeon at the Ali Medical Center that performs the Ankyloglossia tongue release procedure on children with general anesthesia & with reconstruction of the underside of the tongue (very important in MG’s severe case so adhesions/reattachment does not occur). The surgeon is UK trained & seems to be very experienced with the severity of MG’s case. However, the surgeon’s schedule is very tight & for the next 2 weeks, he is only available late Wednesday night as a possibly surgery option. So, at 9:00 p.m. I take MG to be examined by Dr Nadeem for a possibly surgery the following evening. It is a severe case, but all looks good & he is confident that the procedure he performs (very similar to UK & US) will permanently correct the Ankyloglossia. I’m told, the procedure is considered “routine” & will take ~ 30 minutes. After the general anesthesia has worn off & if she is doing well, we can take her home (g.house home!). However, she may be kept overnight, if necessary.
Wednesday (7/20) – Tonight is Gracy’s surgery . . . 9:15 p.m. PST/11:15 a.m. US CST. Yes, Mama is very anxious. I think anytime a parent makes the decision to place their child under anesthesia, in a “coma” state . . . and, as your child looks at you with loving trust, you watch them “go under” . . . it brings the reality of the intense, enormous responsibility that a parent has for the life of a child. As a parent, you research, gain the best possible information you can obtain & then you make the decision. I have felt that enormous weight of responsibility 2 different times with Nicky’s medical needs . . . Believe me, it doesn’t get any easier, especially in a 3rd world country!
I pray my decision has been based on sound, medical advice & expertise! A mother’s prayer said over our sweet Marina Grace & a prayer for a very quick recovery time. Please pray for the surgeon’s diligent, competent hands . . . operating on such a tiny sweetheart. :)
Gracy’s New Words . . .
“Manier” “Sattod” “Comaran” . . . all guest house staff . . . Gracy is learning who she can wrap around her finger!!!!
"Peez" (please) – This brings joy to Mama’s heart that my sweetie is sooo polite. She now says Please & Thank You!
“Coke” – Yes, can you believe it!
Take care . . . talk to you soon!
Love & Blessings,
Nancy (Mama) & Gracy
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