China trip - Day 9

Lots of different news today...

We left our hotels last night, ready to board the flight.  We had our guide interpret as we explained to Mei that we would be taking a plane ride to Guangzhou.  She said "Fei chi, zoom!".  Well, that sounded positive!  We put 1/4 motion sickness patch behind her ear and hoped for the best. We arrived at the airport and made our way through baggage check and security.  We hurried to our gate, as our boarding time was in only ten minutes.  We arrived at the gate to learn that the flight had been postponed due to a bad storm in Guangzhou.  We saw many of our new adoptive friends, whose flights were also delayed for the same reason.  An hour later, we rode a bus out to our plane and climbed the stairs to the "fei chi".  Our seats were at the very back of the plane.  It was dark when we took off, so Mei really couldn't see out the window.  About 15 minutes into the ride, the airsickness started.  Mei threw up several times, then fell asleep exhausted on my lap.  Little Lainie just stroked her arm and kept asking her "ok, Mei?".  Mei would look at her sadly and with a weak voice say "ok".  Poor thing.  We arrived in Guangzhou late, then boarded a van for the hotel.  Unfortunately, Mei's stomach was already in a bad place and she repeated the same routine as the plane...sick then sleep.  We finally arrived at the hotel and Mei asked to be carried.  She was just too worn out to walk.  Once we arrived in the room, she ran around like nothing was wrong.  Her feet were finally on stable ground! 

The beds here are so comfortable, or perhaps it is such a contrast to the cinder blocks draped with sheets in the last hotel.  I don't think I've ever had such a firm mattress!  Jad loved them and said the firm ones were great.  :)  Jaci was complaining with her throat last night.  When I woke her this morning, she was running a high temperature.  We called our guide to see if there was a hotel doctor.  She said no, but there was a hospital nearby.  The only issue was they didn't speak English.  When we went downstairs, another dad had taken their son to a local pediatrician who was recommended by their friend.  They gave Jad the phone number and he was able to arrange an appointment within the hour.  Jad took Jaci to the pediatrician while I headed to the adoption medical appointment with the other girls.  Jad said it was a great facility, spoke English, and the pharmacy was right in the office.  Jaci tested positive for flu and they gave her Tamiflu.  So grateful they were able to see the pediatrician.  Jad also asked about motion sickness meds for Mei.  They said the patches Jad bought last week were homeopathic, and we could give her an entire patch without worry.  They also prescribed some little tablets for her to try for the flight.  We'll give those a trial run when we take the train to Hong Kong.  We've been able to keep Jaci's fever down, and she is wearing a mask while the girls are in the room.  

The girls and I headed to the medical clinic for the required medical checkup.  My mom mentioned that Benadryl can be helpful for motion sickness.  We borrowed some from one of the other families and gave to Mei.  The medicine seemed to help (no sickness on bus rides), but made her very sleepy.  I'll try cutting back on the dosage.  Mei passed the medical exam without issue.  She was so compliant as we moved from station to station.  When she saw the blood pressure cuff, she held out her arm, and she knew to pull up her shirt when a stethoscope appeared.  When we were at the TB testing station, our guide Kelly explained to Mei what was going to happen.  Mei told her "I will be brave, I won't cry".  This little one is amazing.  We sat down and they put the needle under her skin and pumped a little bubble of fluid into her arm.  Not even a wince.  She is my hero.  When we returned to the hotel, Jad made a quick run down to the 24 hour McDonald's next to the hotel.  I never thought I would enjoy sleeping next to a McDonald's, but that day has arrived!  Oh, and there is a Starbucks too!  

Fun in Daddy's boots

Jad and the three little girls went swimming this afternoon.  Mei likes to splash her Daddy and thinks it's funny when he holds his breath and goes under water.  :)  Jad and Kailee went out to scavenge up some grub for supper.  I'm not sure what that will be, but McDonald's is the backup plan.  :)   I've never entertained getting a real tattoo, but if I am adorning a temporary tattoo of the golden arches, you'll know why.  ha!

Prayer requests:  please pray that Jaci will quickly recover, that no one else will come down with the flu, and the new meds will help Mei on the long journey home.

Hope all is well with the outside world.  Love to all -