I have been waiting a long time to get our first foster placement. We started our adoption journey a long time ago and every time we got close, God shut the door. 14 years into our marriage, Chris and I got licensed for foster care and adoption. We are open to foster or adoption and think we want to adopt a girl or a sibling set with a girl. However, over the past 5 months, we have been taking care of the most amazing foster son ever.
Jermaine was only supposed to be a respite placement. We were to have him for 7 days. I knew he had a feeding tube and a cranial helmet, but later found out he had terrible eczema and is an amputee. He is missing his right arm due to a blood clot at birth.
When he first arrived, the family that had him kept a sock on his hand so he wouldn't scratch his skin. His skin was in terrible shape and I knew shortly after meeting him that he was allergic to his formula. I had him about 12 hours before I was supposed to drop him off at DSS for a visit with his mom. When I got there, I met her and Jermaine's nurse. The nurse was very kind, Jermaine's mom, not so much. She was very hard and gave me a lot of attitude. She didn't say a word to me. I remember getting in the car and hearing the Lord say, "she wasn't born that hard." I was immediately overcome with compassion for her. On the ride home, I was feeling very good about myself when I got a call from the nurse. Apparently, I forgot a piece of Jermaine's feeding tube that he needed in order to be fed. I had to turn around and drive another 45 minutes back to DSS to drop it off. It ended up being a divine mistake. After dropping it off, I found myself in the parking lot with his social worker, and after a little bit of time, with Jermanine's nurse. I was able to ask a lot of questions about his skin and development and they agreed that he needed to be seen by a doctor. They had an appointment for us after the weekend.
At the pediatrician's office, I remember feeling very awkward. What was my role? Jermaine's mom and his nurse were there, but when they were done talking, she was going to send us home with cortisone cream. I wasn't comfortable with that plan. I asked if she could get her attending, and when she did, I begged for an appointment for him to go to the allergist. She got us the appointment after I asked her to make a call on our behalf.
A few days later we went to the allergist for testing. I was right. He was allergic to his formula and had other major food allergies. After the appointment, I agreed to take his mom to the bus stop. She actually apologized for giving me so much attitude the fist time she met me. I got her Taco Bell and we ate together in my car. I couldn't believe the relationship that had started between us and I was able to affirm her and encourage her.
At the end of the week, I took Jermaine to his visit at DSS and drove away, thinking I would never see him again. About 2 weeks later, I got a text from his social worker telling me that the family that had him couldn't take care of him anymore. She wondered if we would take him until he could go home. Of course we said yes!
Jermaine has been such a light in our home. My boys have been great with him and have enjoyed having him around. He is such a good baby and doesn't fuss much. That has been nice for all of us. While he has been with us, we have gone to the beach for 2 weeks. He learned how to sit up, sit and spin around, use his hand, and wave hi and goodbye. In 5 weeks, about 6 of his teeth have come in and his skin has cleared up. We also have gotten his reflux under control. When we first got him, he never laughed. Now, he laughs all the time. It took 3 weeks for me to have him before I heard him laugh out loud. He recently got his helmet off, and now he is much more fun to snuggle because his fuzzy hair is so soft and sweet.
We will miss him so much. Our family couldn't have asked for a better placement. I hope I can keep in touch with Michele, his mom, and we will continue to have the privilege to come along side of his mom over the years. He is my perfect little tea pot and our song is, "To make you feel my love." I love you Jermaine and you will always have a piece of my heart.
