[Quesita]

I went with Liana to her second DNA (which was actually her fifth DNA) and I can honestly say that it would not even need to be a doctor, but a member of the doctor's staff switching a the names on a sample. There were a lot of people running around the office. Someone weighed Liana and measured her, someone else took her paperwork, someone else brought us into the room. The doctor took the sample, and handed it to someone who eventually put it together with her paperwork, and shipped it off to the lab.

Honestly, when Liana's first DNA test came back with such an odd number, I immediately suspected fraud. Could it be the sister of the birthmother? A cousin? As it turns out, Liana has a genetic mutation in one of the markers that they tested. They did another test, and another, and another... each time testing more markers. And each time, every one matched, except for that one. So I KNOW that Liana's DNA was genuine. I talked with geneticists, here in the US for an explanation. Some forum friends helped me out wiht info as well. Liana's foster mom talked about all of the tests she had taken Liana too. The foster mom talked a great deal about Liana's birthmom. The foster mom also told me things that the lawyer had not wanted me to know about... such as Liana's hospitalization for rotovirus just at the time that I was getting the referral and asking about gaps in medical info. So she was clearly not telling me what the lawyer wanted her to tell me.

But I know in my heart, that if I had been in the same situation as this family, I would have done the same thing. When I suspected that the odd DNA results could mean that my case could be fraudulent, every inch of my body hurt. But I was determined to find out the truth, and do the right thing.

The last month of my mother's life I was haunted by my fears, and i burdened her with those fears during her last weeks on earth. She was sure that everything was alright, and the more information I got, I became convinced as well. But as she was showing off the pictures of "her granddaughter" I told her to wait. Not to call the beautiful child her granddaughter. Until we found out for sure. The day before she died, the lab confirmed a genetic mutation.

When my mother died, I was 99% sure. Maybe a little more than that. I put a picture of Liana in my mother's hand, where it remains forever. But if the final results had indicated some sort of fraud, I would have proven my love for this little girl by using every bit of strength I had left to return her to where she belonged.

Congratulations to this family for their strength. May they find peace knowing that they did the right thing. And may there be a child out there who will fill the emptiness that has been left in their home and their hearts.