Archive for October, 2009
Phillip’s New Home
About two weeks ago, we left you in our somewhat sad story of saying good-bye to our dear baobei, Phillip. We pick up today with the rest of the story..
Air China should use Phillip for their new advertising! Could a boy look any happier? This is Phillip’s first flight, and boy was he thrilled to be riding on the plane with the experience of feeling so big and above all that was below and seeing the world from a whole new perspective. Off to Beijing for his longterm care home with hopes for future adoption…
Lily was also enjoying her first flight with Phillip- but with reservation knowing she had to say good-bye to her dear one!
We arrived at Philip Hayden’s Shepherd’s Field home and were met by Dr. Moody. Phillip JUST HAD TO take a call on the mobile phone though- “Can I hit you back? The doc needs to chat with me now.” (I think that’s what he was saying in Chinese.)
Shepherd’s Field cares for over 100 orphans (mostly disabled) in their beautiful facilities. We were especially impressed with how wheel chair accessible everything was- ramps everywhere! It gave Phillip so much confidence and freedom- buzzing around, discovering many new things. Please visit their website at http://www.chinaorphans.org/shepherdsfield.php to learn more about their work.
This is Phillip’s beautiful new home. He’s on the main floor with two other boys sharing his room.
I HATE good-byes, but it helped to leave Phillip with his new buddies by his side and knowing how much he would be cared for by the Shepherd’s Field staff.
I wonder what Phillip’s thinking here… (I know his friends were thinking, “Come on, let’s get back to playing with all those great toys you brought from Shanghai!”)
Lily stayed with Phillip for another two days to be sure he acclimated well and knew he would always be loved by her and many others whose hearts he touched in Shanghai.
Helen is a Trooper!
Our little Baby Helen has been through so much! She came to Shanghai for her first hydrocephalus surgery in the spring when a generous Baobei donor provided money for her original shunt. She was sent back to her orphanage, but over the summer her head started getting bigger. She returned to SCMC in August and had a new shunt installed. This shunt seems to be working fine, but the tube that runs from her head to her stomach for drainage has been interfering with her intestines, or vice versa, causing more fluid to collect in her head. Helen has had two small procedures to try to correct this problem and now seems to be much more comfortable (the pressure on the head for these babies can be so painful!) Please keep her in your prayers. She is the strongest fighter and is a real spitfire when she’s feeling well.
Baby Jonah is Recovering Well
This is tiny Jonah from Henan Province. He arrived about 2 weeks ago, a premature baby, and had surgery for spina bifida. He is quite frail still but healing well.
Sweet Bella Arrived Last Week
Darling Baby Bella arrived in Shanghai last week. The hospital is so full right now, her bed is at the end of the hallway with a curtain screen to give her and ayi some privacy. Bella has spina bifida and is scheduled for surgery later this week. Look at her chubby cheeks!
