You want us to put what where?

Day two of medical paperwork chase had us out of the apartment a little after 8am. We had fallen asleep easily last night but the dreaded 4am wake-up still happened… so we watched a few episodes of "Without a Trace" on DVD. We went to the huge State hospital directly – so much traffic on the way. It was about a 30-minute+ drive from the apartment. We gave our coats to the coat check and put on the plastic blue booties… Two things about Russia that aren't all bad – when you enter a building you have a coat check for free! And you put little booties over your snowy shoes to help keep the floor cleaner! So we went up a level and waited in a hallway for a long time – the Holmes joined us there again. Brian helped keep Skip entertained throughout most of the morning – Skip's no longer shy with us! So then we had to do our first tests for the Infectionist – Irena (Holmes facilitator/translator, like our Alex) says to Judy "be brave!" But Mike went in first and got the instructions… Basically we had a long stick that had to go "where the sun don't shine" and then we put it into a test tube and it self-closed. This was done by us all individually in the privacy of a big room (but we were in there alone-it wasn't some wierd group activity LOL)… It was, to say the least, interesting. So then we went back up the steps for more swabs – we got our nostrils and throats swabbed. We'll find out the results Thursday morning but we're also not sure exactly what they were testing us for (parasites maybe?) – but overall it really wasn't bad. As Judy said "will make for interesting blogging tonight!". Then we were seen by the Neurologist. He was a Dennis Brendemuehl look alike (so some of you can visualize this)! He did reflex tests on us and made sure we could touch our noses when our eyes were closed. Next we went to a general doctor who took our blood pressure and listed to our hearts. We then split from the Holmes and we came back to the apartment for a quick lunch – I made Brian a cheese & egg sandwich and I made some of the rice pilaf Kathy had given me. Then we went to the dermatologist that we weren't able to see yesterday. That was a great visit as Alex just got the signatures and stamps without us having to be seen. Then it was on to the diagnostic hospital – last time we had done a number of tests here, this time I think it is only one or two. But we had our oncologist appointment – this was painless also as Brian and Alex went into the room and came out a while later with the signatures and stamps for both of us. So I didn't get my examination this time (that's ok!). So we have the TB specialist yet and will do that tomorrow – we'll have to get a chest Xray for that and then the infectionist results Thursday and we'll be done with the medical forms! Alex also said he had talked to Judy D @ Bethany headquarters last night so I know first thing today that's all going to be worked on. I forgot you had MLK Day in America yesterday!

So now we're back at the apartment warming up our feet – somehow they got very cold today. It was snowing for awhile in the afternoon and the wind picked up and the temperature dropped. It's still not too bad tho, but we haven't been out in the elements much either. There is a restaurant just across the street from the apartment that says "pizza" so I think we might try that for dinner tonight. We were going to head to Subway but that will be a longer, colder walk. And there is a place next to Subway I want to try also – says "Welcome" on the sign on front so hopefully they have an English menu – Alex says they serve salads, pancakes, etc.

And tonight we'll probably just hang out in the apartment watching DVDs and maybe jump online later to watch the inauguration.

Oh also, the US Embassy in Moscow called Alex this afternoon inquiring how our case went and also how the Holmes are doing. I was impressed with that and happy they know we're here! And Alex also talked to the Guardianship Committee (who is in charge of Nathan's wellbeing) and said he told them what we were doing with the medicals and getting additional documents from the USA – he said he told them to "cheer them up" so they must have been upset at yesterday's events also.

I will answer some of the questions posed in comments:

Barb U – the ice cream here is so smooth – it's like custard but not as heavy – definitely beats Blue Bunny! If I could I'd bring you some home!

Dave P/Jim – you guys play nice and continue to make comments and maybe someday you'll get a gift from us!

Morgan – You would say "dra-stwit-za" to say hello, but when most everyone answers their cell phones they say "hello"

Pete – I didn't have to go into the cage, but Brian… No, not really – It was empty during our hearing! Thank goodness!

Craig - the documents are all in English but then translated into Russian and attached. No real interesting food yet. And the interesting tests you learned about above!

We're doing ok – not sure when we'll see Nathan Genya again but working hard to get everything done so we can have some good news soon! When I told Alex about JJ's phone call last night and his sadness at my response he said "well hopefully we'll be able to give him some good news soon" – and we pray we will!