Post Medical Post

Hi there!

Well, we can check another thing off the list: we had our medical exams today. We were picked up this afternoon by Phillip and Vladimir and taken, with another American couple adopting from the same orphanage, to the American Medical Clinic. We saw an Oncologist, Narcologist, Neurologist, TBologist (? Yes, we thought that was interesting, too), a Cardiologist, Infectious Disease Specialist and a Psychologist. We were with each specialist for about 5 minutes and were asked a series of questions. We were seen as a couple by each except the Oncologist. We thought were to see eight, but think the eighth was perhaps done at the same time as one of the others. 2 ½ hours and $36,800 rubles later, we were pronounced healthy, sane, and not carriers any deadly or infectious diseases! We are very happy to have that step done.

Tonight we are meeting up with the other couple plus one on their way to another region and two additional couples who have just returned from Krasnoyarsk with their children. We’re going to have a small celebration of sorts and to wish everyone Godspeed as we each travel on to our next stage of the process.

Tomorrow, we will check out of the Marriott Tverskaya at about 3:00 in the afternoon and will be picked up about 5:20 to head back to the airport where we will catch our Aeroflot flight to Krasnoyarsk. Please pray for us that we won’t be bumped from the Hotel Krasnoyarsk!

I should also mention that yesterday we spent the day with Anna, Phillip’s wife. She picked us up at the hotel and then we walked the approximate 1 ½ miles down to Red Square. Anna took us on one of the most awesome tours of the inside of St. Basil’s. It was originally built as nine separate chapels and then later a common roof was added. Fascinating place that is really beautiful with original paint work and frescos on the inside. There isn’t any central heat, but with all of the stairs and walking, who needs it! Not to mention I had my stair climber workout at the same time.

After St. Basil’s, we walked over to Arbot Street and did a little souvenir shopping, saw the Starbuck’s, McDonalds and Hard Rock Café. Oh, and we saw the Dosteyevsky Library and the Pushin Museum. I would love to spend more time at both of those places!

We’re looking forward to seeing Aidan again and hope you all are doing well, too. Thank you so much for continuing to pray for us! We’ll try to post again tomorrow before we head out. Hopefully I'll be able to find the cords in order to download some pictures for you by then!

Blessings!
Stacy and Pat