Hi! Adoptive family looking for support.
Hi Everyone!
Very happy to have found this site. We were just matched with a beautiful 3yr old in Florida through Foster Care. She received her kidneys last year and the Dr's have given her the medical 'all clear' that she can find her new family, we just found out Friday that was us!! Until she's formally adopted we'll have to call her LiL L on here since we're not allowed to share her name or pics. Small background info - Lil L had renal failure at 11days old from 1st mom's cocaine use; up until transplant she was 20+hrs dialysis. She's been very delayed since she was placed in a foster home with 5 high needs Autistic boys who are non-verbal, didn't interact with her at all and all are tube fed. Poor little thing is going to join our bustling home with 4 active kids ages 14-1yrs who have been waiting a year for her to join us; her little brain will be swimming - LOL!
We were just cleared by CPS after learning to administer her 11 daily meds & 4 tube feeds. It all seemed so overwhelming and we're so afraid of screwing something up. I think the scariest part is that in one month we'll be flying out to pick her up and after that she's all ours - her life is in our hands. We have to learn to be in tune to every possible change from her BP, temps, skin changes, etc., on top of getting to know a 3yr old who doesn't know us from the neighbor. Plus they want us to start oral feeds with her in hopes to have her weaned from the G-tube by the time she reaches Kindergarten.
So basically, any comforting words for 2 parents who are still in shock? Look forward to meeting everyone!
Lisa
When you think about all the little parts and pieces that you have to remember and be on top of, it's TOTALLY overwhelming... But when it's your child, it quickly becomes second nature. You and your family will adjust to your new "normal" and you will barely have to think about the meds ad tube feeds because it becomes second nature! Sending love and positive thoughts for an easy transition!!
It all seems overwhelming, but you'll get the hang of it in no time.
Congrats on the new addition! We adopted our son from Guatemala and he's the center of our world. I'm sure your daughter will love her siblings attention and love. I do read a blog that you may get some wonderful tips from http://www.lastmom.com/. She parents in a "trauma parenting" style which works well with children who had been exposed to drugs and may help you understand behaviors she may exhibit, especially at first.
Welcome!! I adopted our son at the age of 12 yrs --talk to me anytime!!
are you going on a vacation this summer , where ?
- vegaslilqt
on Sep. 10, 2012 at 3:25 PM