Pam In China

Our story is not your typical situation. We came to China in July of 2003 to teach English. We have a 3 bedroom apt. We made one of our bedrooms into a classroom and we private tutor several students. We have classes on Tues. and Thurs. evening. One Thurs. evening Nov. 6th one of our students was late. When he did arrive he told us there was a baby outside in a noodle box. I went down to see. Closer observation revealed a birth defect (small intestine outside the body). Her intestines looked like a huge cauliflower. I couldn't even determine if the baby was a boy or a girl. Some of the Chinese women gasped and one said, "Maybe we should throw it." I said, "No, I want this baby."

We took her to the hospital. The Doctor said he'd seen the baby in the afternoon. He told the parents the surgery was risky and would cost $5000 Yuan. They asked if the baby would be normal (without problems) after the surgery and he couldn't say, "Yes".

I really believe her birth parents were desperate. The average monthly wage here is 450 Yuan, 1000 Yuan for a TCM doctor or govt. employee. With the one child policy they did what they felt best for their daughter.

She was left near our home about 7:30 p.m. We found later from clinic records, she was born at 2:00 p.m. She had not been bathed. She had blood and white mucus all over her. Last year, in the building next to us, lived a man who is director of an orphanage. She was left near his gate. I think the father waited in the bushes, near the train tracks, hidden to see if this man would find his daughter. Some how I just know this and I will tell this to Xiao Qing when she is older. The director of the orphanage moved but many people don't know this. Also there was a man at the hospital, who seemed over interested in our situation. He called a taxi for us and at one time was arguing with people to let the foreigners have the baby. He was very young and very thin. I remember him, but I don't think I would know him, if I saw him again. I really think this man was her birth father and I will tell Xiao Qing this also when she is older.

The director of the hospital advised us to take her to Zhengzhou Children's Hospital which we did. The taxi ride took two hours, it was an adventure and a story in itself. We arrived at the hospital about midnight. The doctor was so kind. He stablized her, got her warm, with oxygen before he talked money...smile..The surgery was done the next morning and 21 days later she came home with us as her foster parents.

Before taking Xiao Qing to the Children's Hospital in a larger city,
we named her. The minute we called her by name the atmosphere in the
room changed. She was now a "real little person". It seemed because
we placed value on her by giving her a name others valued her also.
We gave her the name Xiao which mean "small" Qing which
means "stream". Later, at the advice of a close Chinese friend, we
gave her a family name of Lin. It means "forest". When she was two
months old we found from clinic records that her birth father's name
is Li, Qing.

I stayed with Xiao Qing all night. She was in ward type room. Her
incubator was placed near an electric socket in the aisle near the
windows. It was so cold in that room. There were 4 beds on each side
of the room. All were occupied with sick children and their
relatives. In China, the family cares for the sick. There are not
enough nurses for all the patients. The overhead lights remained on
all night. Children whimpered as they slumbered in and out of a
fitful sleep. The family would rotate caring for the little ones. It
was quite moving to see the love and care shown by grown men for
their children. I saw in that hospital ward a different China. Of
course, everyone was observing me also. By the time 6:00 a.m.
arrived and the surgery was to begin I felt at one with the Chinese
people. We all were on a mission to make sure our loved ones
recovered and returned home.

Xiao Qing was in a incubator but not like the ones in US. It seem to
be from the 50's, but it did keep her warm. It was opened and a
pillow case was taped over it to keep her warmer. Two nurses came
and tenderly washed her and placed her intestines in a cloth to keep
them moist until the surgery. The surgery was successful and each
day I noticed a love among the staff for Xiao Qing. I will forever
be grateful for the care provided by the hospital.

The hospital director returned our downpayment and told us to return
to our city. She was thankful to us for saving Xiao Qing but they
would care for her now. I politely informed her we were staying in a
hotel near the hospital and would visit every day. Another surgery
was performed four days later for an intestinal blockage. I was
greatly concerned because this surgery was performed without our
signature or being notified. The first surgery required my husband's
signature.

It was our intention from the beginning to bring Xiao Qing home with
us instead of the seeing her placed in the State Orphanage. We knew
her chances for adoption were slim because of her condition. We also
knew she needed special care with feeding and dressing changes. The
hospital was wonderful to keep her secluded in ICU/Recovery for 21
days at no charge. In fact, we brought Xiao Qing home paying no
money to anyone, except the taxi driver, which is truly a miracle.

A Chinese friend, who is also a news reporter, covered her story. He
translated for us with the government officials and helped us get
the proper documents in order to be her foster parents. One young
man, who we met in a book shop, saw the article in the paper and
stayed with us through everything, translating, making copies, and
running errands. In fact, he's coming over tonight to visit. I asked
him "Why", he told me his mother was abandoned as an infant and a
Chinese lady found her on the road (his grandmother) and raised her
as her own child. He has a birth defect (cleft lip) and his mother
loved and cared for him, so he feels in many ways it is his duty to
help Xiao Qing. She continues to touch to touch the lives of many
people both Chinese and American. Her story is really just
beginning....Thanks for your interest...Pam in Henan