20/21 de agosto- More Therapy

Yesterday our alarm went off, we think, but don't remember it. Rich must have turned it off in his sleep and didn't nudge me. I usually am awake several minutes before the appointed hour anticipating the wake up song we have had since our mission call, which is "Called to Serve." It has to be quite loud because of the earplugs we wear at night to drown out the noisy street below. I am surprised that one of us didn't rally. It was 6:20 a.m. when I looked over at the clock. No worries, we can still be ready on time.

We had a good day at work. For some reason, in addition to this busy time of putting together the orders of supplies for the missionaries and getting them on their way to each zone conference every day, I have been able to clear other things off my desk that have been set aside "to do at a later date." Some days I have four or five projects that need to be done right now, and I don't know what to do first. It feels good to be on top of things this week.

Elder Kroff went to the bank in a remise. He will be glad when he can walk farther than just to work. He has spent the last few days calling the zone leaders regarding the money they each are in charge of for their zones and replenishing what they have had to spend.

We left work at 3:30 to go home and prepare to leave for a doctor's appointment and then to a physical therapy appointment, back to back. We went to Dr. Ottonello first and he ushered us right in. He was impressed at the progress Rich's leg has made. He took the stitches out and told him to come back after he has had all the physical therapy treatments, which he felt should be around 10 visits. We think that is a lot of therapy, but I guess we'll do as he says. Each appointment only costs $15.00. Then, while there at the clinic, we had to pay for the Echocardiogram that he had prior to surgery which was around $31.00. It is unreal how cheap all these tests are. We still can't get over that an MRI is $160. And, the last two appointments we have had with the doctor since the surgery were included in the price of the operation. We didn't have to pay for those office calls.

Upon leaving the doctor's office, we instructed the remise driver to stop off at a Tintoreria (dry cleaners) which is just up the road from the physical therapy place in San Isidro. We had one of Rich's suits, some slacks, and two skirts that needed cleaning. It is a little far to go now that we don't have a car, but we trust this place and don't know of another one closer yet, so we took the opportunity to drop off our cleaning. We will pick it up next Tuesday when we go back to the Physical Therapist.

At the appointment with Mariana, she had Rich doing several different exercise to strengthen his leg muscles.

Then she took him out to the exercise room and put him on a stationary bicycle.

Another fellow was in the room using the equipment. We didn't socialize with him, however. He had another therapist working with him.

The other fellow looked a little perplexed as to why I would be taking pictures. I found him staring at me with a strange look on his face. I thought I would capture him in a photo just for fun. He is putting pressure on his back by lean against this big ball. I couldn't figure out what his problems were.

We arrived home too late to cook something big, so we had french toast for dinner, talked with Nate and Melissa on Skype, and went to bed.

Today, Rich left early to get to the office by 8:00 because the President was coming by to get the mail and supplies for the zone conference and to sign a check that Rich needed. Elders Valente and Paz were off early to do apartment things, and someone needed to be there with Elder Nelsen. So we walked separately today. It was a very pleasant stroll. The air was warmish and felt pretty good. It got up to the low 60's today. But when we left the office today, it was much cooler.

We worked steadily at our desks, but the panic to get something done was not evident today. Thank goodness!! Oh yes, there were things to be completed, but we just did them calmly and in stride. Our zone conference is on Monday, so the bins of the "goods" will just have to be walked over to the church. Easy!

Rich had to leave the office and meet Elder Halsted at the Maipu Diagnostico. He was having an MRI on his knee today. He is the elder that had surgery on his meniscus in the MTC and has had problems ever since. We think it is because it never healed properly due to too much activity right after the surgery. Before coming to Argentina, he was sent to Las Vegas while waiting for his visa and they had him walking up and down hills, and riding a bike. Anyway, Elder Kroff had to take the money for the test and then get the paper that allows us to pick up the films and take them to the doctor for evaluation. The President wanted this done fast so they can make a decision as to what to do with the elder and if he needs more surgery.

President Argyle came by the office after the conference to do a couple of things, and I asked him what he was going to talk about at our conference on Monday. Last transfer he sat with us and gave me the run down in English so I would know what was being discussed. It is always fun when we have his undivided attention. He is really a master missionary and knows how to teach the elders and sisters so they can have success. He is amazing.

Our big Friday night plans involved walking over to the Farmacia for some pills, and to McDonald's for dinner. A quiet evening was spent at home. We have a lot of quiet evenings.