Medical exam and last visit with Hughes

The medical screening can be done in the United States or here in Russia. You have to be seen by 8 physicians: Psychologist, narcologist, infectious disease/tuberculosis, cardiologist, oncologist, dermatologist, neurologist, and general doctor. I decided to get it done here because they set it up for you to be complete in 1 day. I went to the Academy of Science here in St. Petersburg, Russia. I had to get a chest xray, EKG, neuro exam, breast exam, skin check, and about 6 vials of blood taken. They blood test are liver function, bilirubin, HIV, Hepatitis B & C, and the normal tests (CBC, BMP, etc). I had to fast for 12 hours before the blood is drawn which is completed first. Then they take you into this office and have coffee, tea, cakes, and cookies for you to eat. The rest of the time is seeing all of the doctors and answering thier questions about your general health and you family history. At the end, they told me I have all signatures required and that document will go to court with me. You then pay for the services and are free to leave. That is much quicker than trying to make appts. with 8 physicians at home and it was less expensive. Glad it is over.

We then drove to meet the coodinator at the office of the Notary. I signed three documents for court and getting Hughes paperwork started for becoming an American and living in the United States with my address. One of the documents is called a Letter of Obligation. These documents have his given name and his new name- Crumbley, Hughes William. I cannot read the documents because the Russians have a totally different alphabet.

After that we went to a very nice cafe for coffee and ice cream. My driver (Sasha) wouldn't normally go with the translator and I, but I made him go today. I think he is shy. I told him the only way I would go is if he would join us. The coffee is much smaller than what I am used to at home. I go into Bread Co or Starbucks and get a 16 ounce, here it is about 6 ounces. I would like to return to that cafe someday.

We went to the orphanage at 4:30 for my last visit with Hughes before I return home. It went very well. I swear he is trying to run. Tomorrow he will be 13 months. The Chief doctor came out and said that I will not return until late September or early October because the judge will be on holiday (vacation). She was very nice and wished me well. I think she is OK with me adopting Hughes. Hughes and I finished our visit. I thought I was really doing well until those last few moments. It was hard to leave him, what a surprise!