Psych appointment for Bulgaria

So after 29 call to psych doctors I finally had a psych office state they would help me get "mental" clearance for my adoption as required by the Bulgarian government.  I showed up to my appointment at 8:45 which was 15 minutes early due to the fact that one usually has to fill out paperwork.  The paperwork they gave me was asking the normal psych type questions.  How often do you talk to people who nobody else can see?  How often do you hear voices?  Can you control your homicidal thoughts?  Do you have support when feeling suicidal?  WHAT????? 

The office did not have a notary on the day of my appointment even though when I set up my appointment they said she would be there.  So I figured I would have my appointment and then come back with a hired travel notary ($50-$100) to fill out my paperwork.  Well at 9:30 the doctor still was not in the office so the secretary apologized on behalf of the doctor and stated that she was calling in her mother who was a notary, but she would be a little bit.  I said it wasn't a problem because it was going to save me a trip back and money. 

A teenager was in the office his appointment was at 9:45, so the doctor showed up at 9:50 and took him back right away.  About 45 minutes later and many games of tetris later a women busted through the front door and went straight up to window to check in.  She was crying and talking about how she wasn't sure she would live and needed to see doctor right away.  I knew my appointment was not life threatening so I figured she could go ahead of me and I would wait again.  This lady seemed in great distress and I didn't want to get in the way of the doctor helping her.  The lady sits a couple seats down from me and is still upset, she gets on her cell phone and starts talking about how she can't believe that her friends monkey died..  Yep you read right, a lady that she knew from her community had her pet monkey taken away by the authorities because the monkey bit a child.  I made up my mind at that second that this lady was not going in front of me.  She clearly had a problem that being seen 1 hour earlier in my spot was NOT going to fix. 

So at 11:00 the doctor finally calls me back, we notarize the paperwork first so the notary can leave.  She sit down in her over sized leather computer chair where her feet don't touch the ground.  She has a spot light shining on her so she can see her paperwork and a fan blowing right in her face most likely due to her sweating through her floor length black velvet dress.  She asked very basic questions about if I have ever had therapy, been on psych meds, been hospitalized for psych problems.  She asked about my social life, work life, and stress level.  10 minutes later and a check written for $250 I was out the door with relief that it was over!!!!!

I also have been taking many many photos of Lennox and that I need to put in my dossier (I need 4).  I hate myself in pictures, but Lennox is so cute so I will post some of them on here and then one of the kids on the 4th.

 

 

more later

jessica

 

keep pushing through

Well my last post talked about the hurdles that I have been facing in gathering the proper paperwork.   Well I went today and had to redo paperwork for the third time, I had my medical exam today and it went great except for a little anemia that was found and a bladder infection.  The doctor was amazing and spent almost an hour with me to make sure that my paperwork was done properly.  I am going to fax it to my agency tomorrow to double check that it is okay. 

I also went Sunday evening to get fingerprinted for FBI clearance, well they didn't have the proper card so I figure what the heck, I will send it in.  Well it can take weeks to get clearance so I didn't want to risk it.  I went back up this morning and someone printed the proper finger print card for me.  I dropped that application in the mail.

There is also a need for paperwork from DCFS, well they basically said they would not be assisting me because they can't/wont/don't do these forms.  My amazing social worker for my homestudy is working on figuring out how to get these forms. 

I also need 6 photos to send into the agency.  3 of these photo at minimum have to be of the entire family.  Well I hate having my picture taken so I have only 2 pictures of me and the kids.  I guess I am going to set up a photo session in a couple of days.

I did talk last post about needing a psych eval and not being able to find anyone to perform this eval.  Well my 30th phone call was good luck.  I called an agency call ITIC(I think I can) behavior health and they have agreed to perform my assessment.  I have this arranged for July 11th.  Lennox has his physical July 16 and then everything will be done.

Don't get my wrong I still have weeks till FBI clearance and then I have to start immigration process that can take many many weeks.  Then my paperwork will go to Bulgaria after it is authenticated which can take months.  So I am far from the finish line but making progress feels good.

more later
jessica