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| A week into the China trip a heart murmur was detected during Mackenzie's routine physical (required prior to leaving the country). I was absolutely devastated. I knew nothing about these things and feared Mackenzie would not be issued Canadian Immigration papers and would have to return to the orphanage. |
| Additionally, there was a possibility that Mackenzie was not the child I had been proposed (I've since learned this is not uncommon). She did not resemble the photo sent to me prior to travelling to China. I chose to keep quiet about this because the minute she was put in my arms that first meeting a week earlier the bond was unmistakeable. |
| Long story short - the heart murmur added to my fear that I'd have to give her back. |
| Mackenzie had to endure tests at a Beijing hospital to further identify the problem. The outcome was not good. It was found she had a form of congenital heart disease called an Atrial Septal Defect, essentially a large hole in her heart. Throughout this ordeal the orphanage had gotten word of the situation and had offered to let me "trade her in" for a healthy baby.....can you imagine? |
| If they hadn't I was going to stay in China until they were issued....there was no way I was going home without my daughter. Since arriving home, Mackenzie has been under the care of an excellent Pediatric Cardiologist and has thrived despite her condition. I'm happy to announce that on January 3, 2002 Mackenzie had corrective heart surgery at the Hospital recovered. |
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| The Discovery of Mackenzie's Heart Defect |
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| All I could think about was getting her home and getting her the best doctors I could find. What an incredible relief when the immigration papers arrived on our final day in China. |
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| For Sick Children in Toronto and is now fully |
| Subsequent test show her heart is functioning normally and the prognosis is for a happy and healthy life. We got through it with the help and support of my wonderful family and a great bunch of friends. Not to mention, Mackenzie has always kept me grounded and even during my weakest moments my baby would give me a smile to let me know it's going to be all right. What an amazing kid!! |
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