Do I have anything to say?: A New Adventure?

Monday, February 6, 2012

A New Adventure?

Today was a crazy hectic day at work. Maybe because I'd had two days off or it was Monday or a combination of that and just busy patients, but it was pretty nuts. One of my patients was a cute baby girl who has a chronic illness and I suppose you would call "medically fragile". I have said that I wouldn't say I'd "never" take one of our transplant patients as a foster child, but it wouldn't probably be my first choice. However, hearing part of her story, I was thinking that I could take her (and her young mom) in and teach her mom how to care for her/bond with her and send them on their way. Of course, I've never met her mom and she never called today to check on her, so maybe it wouldn't end up like that, but I definitely thought about it (and said it out loud a couple of times).

With all that talking about being a foster mom, I shouldn't have been surprised that there was a voice mail on my cell phone when I got off work about a potential placement.

The caseworker called shortly before I got off, so I knew I had some time to think (at least the drive home!) I decided to call my sister instead of my parents and I'm really glad that I did that (I'm not sure why I did...I guess I went with my gut and it was right!) She actually had some REALLY good insight :)

The story is that this little one has a family who is planning to adopt him. However, the termination of parental rights will not happen until early summer. For some reason, he needs to be in my county and not in the county where the adoptive parents live. My agency would prefer the child stay within their agency (maybe this family just moved? I'm not sure and I guess it doesn't really matter that much.)

My sister made a good point that a 2 1/2 year old boy would keep me very busy. However, there is a (supposed) "end date"...and the "plan" is that he will leave here for an adoptive placement. Also, they said that he would go to the adoptive parents' home on weekends. Another good point from someone on twitter is that this is SO different than the girls' case that there is no competition/comparison.

My issue with saying "definitely yes" is that this week is super busy. I have tomorrow off, but am bringing the teen to a job fair. I work Wednesday and Thursday. Friday I made plans to bring both girls to a show at the children's theater. Saturday, I am meeting about my taxes, getting my hair colored, and going to a fundraiser at my high school alma mater where the teen will be volunteering. After that, I'm off Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

So, I said that if he could wait to be moved until Sunday, I'd take him. They were going to continue to look for someone who could take him sooner and let me know tomorrow what is decided. I feel badly that this kid would be going back in forth and my schedule is anything but "normal" so he'll have lots of time at day care during the week which stinks, but it does seem like it would be a good "second placement".

If it is to be, it will be, and I'll find out tomorrow. I'll post an update when I have time/information :)
Good night.

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This blog purposefully is left full name and location free out of respect to my family and to my patients/families. Due to the nature of my work, and having foster children in my home, it is important to maintain privacy and confidentiality. All photographs of patients were either given to me by the families or taken with family permission. Thank you for your understanding and support in helping me protect myself and "my people" =) If you have any questions, or want to know more about me, feel free to email me at iloveblogs44 {at} gmail {dot} com.

Who's Who

Updated September 2013

I have one sister who is married and has two boys. "A" was born June 2009 and "I" was born March 2012. We are both really close to my parents and have lots of "family dinners".

I wrote a lot about my patients when I first started this blog. Some patients are still growing and thriving, and others have lost their battles.

My first foster placements lived with me from June 2010-September 2011. They were sisters who were 15 and almost 3 when they were placed with me and are now 18 and 5. I called M "the teen" and L "the little one". They live with their mom who still has many issues, but are doing well (ok) and I still have (not enough) contact with them.

My second foster placement came to me September 6, 2012. I call her Zoe and she turned 5 in April. She has cystic fibrosis and has been a patient on my floor at the hospital. The plan is still reunification.

Ivy is a 17-year-old whose mom died just before Thanksgiving. She has a Guardian, but is unable to live with him due to some family issues. She has no other family who is willing/able to take her. She moved in with me the beginning of February. She moved to a group home at the beginning of August as her needs were too great for me with my schedule and having another child with special needs.