At the hospital

Today, Caroline, Cathy and I worked with "our" children at the Children's Hospital in Barlad. There are 6 children from Tutova at the hospital pending determination of where they should go. Raul is on the floor with the preemies and the others, Paula, Christi, Cleo, Ana Maria and Nicoletta are all in the same room on the neuro pysch floor. The hospital was clean and while not as cheerful as Tutova it wasn't bad. There seemed to be a fair number of staff around and of course here mothers are expected to stay at the hospital with their children. So we were stand in mothers for our Tutova children.

We brought some toys from the clinic so were able to have some things for the children to play with. Cristi was very happy to see Mickey Mouse and Ana Maria once again was able to enjoy playing with the Lamb Chop puppet. They also enjoyed the piano Jane had brought and other miscellaneous toys. Cleo has a port as she is getting antibiotics. And Nico wasn't feeling well this afternoon and had a fever but perked up a bit after getting some medication. Otherwise, they are doing fine. Paula even seemed to be doing ok with less activity. In fact, when we arrived there was an aide walking with Cristi.

And I got to see "big" Andreea, my former favorite, who left the clinic about 18 mos. ago. She lives with her father and grandmother and she seems lucky to have a grandmother taking good care of her. She is now 5 years old and longer and thinner.  She still doesn't have much head and neck control but seemed happy enough. We heard she is there for a cold. She had cute little gold hoop earrings. Her grandmother understood that we knew her from Tutova and let me take a picture of them. In fact, in the afternoon, the grandmother came into our room and seemed to remember Cristi from Tutova.

Tomorrow, Ana Maria and Nico are supposed to be going to the hospital in Iasi for the day for testing and Cleo is supposed to go for testing on Wed. Sounds like they are doing full work ups on the children. The hospital manager said she has asked CPS to look into the home situations. I know the children can't stay at the hospital long term, nor of course would that be a good thing for them. Given Raul's and Cleo's medical situations thought maybe they will stay. Who knows at this point.

Mihaela is working on plans for what the next team will be doing and where they will be staying. I think Bud the CEO from Global arrives on Thurs. We hope to visit the children at the center for children with disabilities tomorrow. Of course we are thinking of all of the children and wondering how they are doing

Spent the last of the donation money on disposable diapers and wipes for the children at the hospital as families are expected to provide those items. Will see what else they may need. 

Here are a few pictures.

Nico and Tigger

Cleo and Cookie Monster

Cristi and Mickey

Cathy and Ana Maria

Paula

"Big" Andreea and her grandmother