This is Yevgen or Zhenya for short. Alina's brother. His mom died when he was six months old, his father unknown. He was put in an orphanage and has been there ever since.
We played with him for an hour. He was the cutest little guy in the world.
He played ball with Jeff and laughed and laughed.
He made us all lay on the floor and told us a story. Sara translated, it was hilarious. He included animal sounds. Adorable.
If we moved he would tell us to go back to sleep, "Spat". We have the cutest videos.
His spirit is sweet and gentle. We played, laughed and completely fell in love.
This is him begging Sara to come play some more. We all thought for sure we would adopt him.
We then got his medical records and the difficult decision began.
Zhenya has cystic fibrosis. It is a lung disease, in Zhenya's case it has also affected his pancreas and heart. We couldn't tell he was sick at all, so when the director told us they thought he could die any day we were skeptical.
So we checked and double checked all of his medical records and his tests. We talked to his old doctor and his new doctor. We checked with the orphanage he was in before. It all confirmed what the Director had told us.
After prayerful consideration we decided we couldn't adopt him. Jeff was more willing, bless his tender heart, but I knew if I had a choice I could not watch that sweet boy suffer and die.
The girls were so sad, and Sara begged us to take him anyway. It broke all of our hearts but in the end we had to tell Zhenya good bye.
Yes, he is in a good orphanage, yes, he has a doctor on sight to help him, yes he has a cook that makes special food just for him. But he doesn't have a mom and dad who love him, who comfort and care. A mom to hold him when things are rough and a dad to play and make him laugh. It does not feel good to leave a kid like that.
I was crying as we left and the director told me it is better to cry for one day than for the rest of my life. Maybe that is true, but we will cry the rest of our lives every time we think of Alina's dear, sweet, sick little brother, that we thought for sure was going to be ours.
Amy PLEASE CALL Me!0505312492 debbie mosteller
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ReplyDeleteOH AMY,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting pictures, you are right, he is the cutest little boy ever. The orphanage looks like the best that I have ever seen. but it would be so hard to leave him. I wish they would have let us meet him so we could have saved you such a heart-wrenching decision. What a terrible disease for such a sweet little boy. I hope your heart heals quickly and the big picture turns out to be better than you imagined. Thanks for posting this post, we will treasure these pictures. Lots of Love to you and Jeff and all the girls.
He is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSee my emails....
Oh Ame-
ReplyDeleteDona and I read this post together. She read it to me as I was driving into work. I'm glad she did because we both were crying and it gave me a little time to ponder why you couldn't talk about it yesterday. I know you and how quickly you can attach to kids and I know your heart is hurting. I can barely get through this post.
I'm so sorry for you and your family. I'm sure that Zhenya fell in love with you guys as fast as you did with him. I'll talk to you soon.
This must've been a very tough decision. He is a darling little boy, which makes it all the tougher. Glad that he's in one of the better orphanages.
ReplyDeleteOh, how hard. I know you will always be praying for him as a mother would for her child. Those prayers will lift him more than you know. Still so hard. I'm sorry you had to make such a difficult decision. The Lord will bless your family, Zhenya included. Love you Amy. Our prayers are with you, Jeff and your girls...and Zhenya too. <3 Shelby
ReplyDeleteHi, My name is Diana,
ReplyDeleteI am Wendy's sister-in-law, I have a daughter with Cystic Fibrosis and I am told that you are considering an adoption of a child with CF. I can assure you that by his pictures this guy looks very healthy. I would want to know if he could be tested again, because research is proving that some of these children actually grow out of CF..You could call Primary Children's Hospital and talk to the head Doctor there. I have seen my own daughter respond to enzyme treatment that literally saved her life as her body was unable to handle the mucus that gathers around the pancreas and interferes with the digestion of their food. With the intervention of the enzymes and pulmonary therapy his life can be extended considerably. I would be more than happy to correspond with anyone that you would like to connect me with as we have lived with CF in our household for the past 14 1/2 years. My daughter Deborah happens to have one of the highest breathing capacities in the State of Utah. We could certainly get together and talk about the home treatments that we use as well.
Most of all, get rid of your fear of not having the opportunity to adopt this little man. Your fear, doubt, sadness, despair, frustration....etc. I put all of that energy into an imaginary box and imagine handing it over to the Savior and then I can truly except what the Lord has in mind. I can tell that you have a good, good heart, my prayers are with you in your wonderful mission. If you need anything or me to talk to someone for you my number is: 435-238-0528 Diana
God Speed!
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ditto what Diana said, knowing people with CF who are having happy and healthy lives... prayers are with you and your family
ReplyDeleteMy dearest Amy, Grant and I are sitting here crying as we read your blog. Our hearts are broken, too! I can 't comprehend how hard this has been for all of you. We're so sorry that you have had to make such a hard decision. I know that the Savior loves you and is with you. He will guide you and comfort all of you thru this. Our prayers are with you everyday and night! We love you all so much and we have faith in you and in our Savior that everything will work out as it should. Love Mom and Grant
ReplyDeleteOh, Amy. I just want to give you a big hug....
ReplyDeleteCrying with you Aim. Everything will turn out right. Love you guys.
ReplyDeleteAmy B.
Oh Amy, I am so sorry! Thank you so much for sharing this, as I know it was difficult for you! You are the best! BIG HUG!!!
ReplyDeleteOh Amy, I've just started reading your blog tonight. I had to go back to the beginning. It is so fun to see all of the pictures. I've laughed and cried. I'm so sorry. My heart aches with you as I read your feelings. I love you my friend! Debbie(AZ)
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