Evan and the Babies: Last Day

I have to say our last day at the Children's Hospital in Barlad was a much easier day than our last day at the clinic in Tutova. While the latter was an ending and quite sad, the former is hopeful. We had a good-bye party with Dr. Magda, Dr. Eva and some of the staff. Dr. Magda was very appreciative and clearly looks forward to having volunteers continue at the facility. They tell us there are plans to renovate the neuro psych floor that we were on in the next few months. Dr. Eva agreed with us that improving the bathrooms is a priority! (Hint for future volunteers at the hospital: use the bathroom on the 2nd floor, same floor as Dr. Magda's office, but be sure to bring toilet paper.)

Cristi and Paula both had good days today. Cristi was clearly feeling better and back to his old self. Paula had a very good day. A fair number of smiles and MANY walks up and down the hallway. She seems to understand she can't go into every room like she did at the clinic. She knows exactly which door is the playroom. She is still a bit off schedule and sleeping from about 3:30 to past 5 but that is to be expected.

I realized last night I forgot to write about Raul but was too tired to power up the computer again. He hasn't been doing so well; not eating much. Dan told Dr. Magda about Caroline's efforts to help Raul and she seemed very supportive. Raul has a new roommate: a little girl that we think is only a few weeks old who was born without arms and legs. She has such a pretty face. Caroline said Raul seemed a bit jealous when the little girl was crying and Caroline picked her up. At breakfast, Caroline showed us a beautiful photo book she did of Raul to give to his parents. Caroline and her mother plan to meet with his parents when her mother arrives.

We also had a new girl in the room with Cristi and Paula. She is 15 years old and has severe cerebral palsy. She is 15 years old and quite thin. She seems to be able to see and hear and responded to our voices and stroking her cheek. We put the mirror and felt book in her crib for her to have something to look at.We also would put the lightly scented hand sanitizer on our hands and put them up to her face for her to smell.

We heard Ana Maria and Nicoletta would be back from Iasi today but they hadn't arrived by the time we left. No word on Celine and how things went for her in Bucharest. Hopefully she will be at the hospital next week and volunteers can learn more. We also hope all goes well with Cleo, especially if she ends up having surgery.

As I understand it the next team will be all experienced volunteers. There will be 6 people total of which 1 will be here for the first week only and Caroline's mother for the last 2 weeks; so 5 at any one time. It is sounding to me like GV will end up having volunteers at multiple sites in the community going forward and that volunteer experiences will be more varied. I'm sure it will take awhile to evolve but long-term I trust it will be in the best interest of the community and program.Mihaela and Bud seemed to get a lot accomplished in the last 2 days to establish a new GV program here going forward.

For those of us who volunteered in Tutova, the children and staff will always have a special place in our hearts. GV did an amazing job of transforming the clinic over the past 12 years, and now others will benefit from GV's resources and the volunteer's services.

Our team had many wonderful thoughts for the day. Here are a few that seem especially appropriate to the circumstances:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." The Serenity Prayer (Thanks to Cathy)

"If ever there is a tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I’ll always be with you." Winnie the Pooh (Thanks to Terry McCarter who shared this quote on a prior team with me.)

Pa to Tutova.