Finally a day where I can start to relax a bit and maybe enjoy the rest of the stay here. Kaylee is much better and we're seeing a little personality come out. She had no stool (or very few smears) yesterday, so we gave her a tiny dose of laxative that the doctor recommended she have daily. This morning then she had about 3 runny poops and has been good ever since.
When she's not pooping she can be a happy girl! We went with the group on a van/bus into town to a couple of shops and Kaylee was giving us a few laughs and happy noises. Her diaper rash is still raw in a few areas, but if the poo can stay to a minimum it should heal quickly. The trick is to find a balance between constant, liquid poo which is how she came to us and never pooping. Plus, we'd like to start giving her solid foods since she is 15 months old and so skinny! I have confidence we'll be able to find a balance once we know her habits better, but today was a good start. It's just hard being in a country where you don't speak the language, you can't find medicine you need, and the medical system is less than optimal to put it nicely.
Our guide, Kelly, told us the Chinese will go to the hospital for even something as minor as the flu and stay for days. Family is expected to do the physical care of the patient. That tells me it must be nicer to stay at the hospital than at home which is a concept I just can't grasp.
I don't think we'll have to visit any medical system during our stay here for which I am very thankful. Kaylee is eating well and, other than her stool issues, is healthy. In fact, we are all still healthy and hope to stay that way! No colds or diarrhea, etc. I have been so caught up with Kaylee and her care the last few days I had forgotten all the things I do have to be thankful for. I made a brief list in my head I'll share to end this post: (these are not necessarily in order of importance)
1. For a God who is always with us--even in a country far, far away from what we're used to where we feel so alone
2. For the love, support, and prayers of family and friends
3. For a laptop in our room and internet access that keeps us connected to sanity
4. For warm showers, clean sheets, and a western toilet (not a squatty potty!)
5. For a great, dependable guide who takes care of everything
6. For a 3 yr old daughter who has been completely potty trained this trip (even though she refuses to use a squatty)
7. For everyone--including Kaylee, who sleeps through the night
8. For being able to have another beautiful daughter
9. For a husband who is strong enough to carry 2 backpacks, a stroller, and 2 suitcases at the same time
10. For being able to travel to a country where the people are used to having so little which makes me realize again just how
much we do have and have been given
Photos will soon follow!
Jennifer
