August 15,

I awoke and my knee was feeling better. But it should – I haven’t done much walking for three days! My back needed a TENS unit session due to my altered, hobbling gait. C’est La Vie. Anyway, we got around and had our Javas and breakfast of oatmeal with PB and Nutella for me, Jeff opted for Nutella and Raspberry jam. We finished our coconut yogurt. Then we watched some YouTube videos. I laid back down. I have found my knee does better stretched out instead of bent or sitting. Jeff joined me…going to be another blasé day.

Lunch was delivered from The Black Beef – Savassi, a hamburger joint. This was the highlight of the day! We ordered two hamburgers on brioche buns, two fries, and two drinks. Jeff had a Black Rib- an Angus beef rib pattie, cheese, herb mayonnaise and BBQ sauce with Cheddar’n Fries- fries topped with cheddar cheese and bacon. I had a Queen Burger- Angus beef rib burger, cheese & Gorgonzola cream, and caramelized onions with Brie’n Fries- fries topped with Brie, bacon, and pepper jelly. Our order took forever to arrive, but because of this there was a big discount. It was supposed to be 122.90 BRL, or $23.61, but the discount made it 97.04 BRL, or $18.65, plus a 30 BRL coupon (which is $5.76). Then we had a food coma. Jeff did go to the store later. Supper was a snack of carrots and hummus. That was a blah day in the life of Jeff and Paula.

August 16,

Connection day! We had our Javas as we spoke with my mother and her husband. It was their Anniversary! Happy Anniversary!! They were well and enjoying life! When we finished, we had breakfast of ham & onions in scrambled eggs on toast. I laid down until our next connection, a Zoom link with our church back home. It was a good sermon on God’s Mercy. Lunch was sandwiches of our great aged Minas Gerais cheese, salami, and pepperoni. Then I had a siesta. Next we talked with my sister, after a delay. (She and her husband were driving home after visiting their daughter and her husband, who was enjoying his first birthday as a father!) My sister’s grandson is as cute as a button… I might be biased. Anyway, they are all well. Then we had supper of Greek salad and popcorn. The day rounded out talking with Jeff’s sister and her husband. They are planning a trip this fall and have an interest in joining us in a future journey!

August 17,

Jeff woke me up at 0700, just before the alarm. I had a rough night sleeping. Anyway, we readied and we’re out by 0725. I felt okay walking the two blocks, albeit, slowly. We arrived at the Dr’s building, which is next to a hospital. Jeff showed the concierge where we were to go. He grabbed a wheelchair and had another attendant take us to the doctor’s office. That was nice. We met the secretary that I had Whatsapp communicated with. She filled out forms, which was appreciated, with my passport and address per driver’s license. The doctor arrived at 0809, and we went back at 0810.

He talked with me, taking in my issue. He then had me get up on an exam table…not so easy to do. He poked and prodded, finding a sore spot I had not noticed. Then he put my knee gently through passive range of motion, diagnosed a potential torn meniscus, and said I’ll need an MRI. He then gave me prescriptions for anti-inflammatory and pain meds. Then the secretary set up the MRI for 1135. We paid 900 BRL ($173) and left. Jeff E-hailed us a ride. We left at 0920. At 0923, our taxi got hit!!! Thankfully it was at a light, so we were stopped and the other driver just “kissed” us. So he pulled over and the two drivers talked, exchanged info, and we waited. Finally at 0935, the driver got in and we went on our way. It was probably our shortest – booked – taxi ride ever, but not our shortest in duration. Anyway, we got to our place at 0940. We ate Muesli and yogurt with our Javas.

Arrived at MRI place at 1135 for scheduled 1135 time, and received a number. At 1150, Jeff talked with someone, it seems we were at the wrong one of two places… We needed to be across the street. So we walked there. There was confusion, but I finally filled out the forms and paid the fee of 1,004 BRL but had a discount to drop it to 953.80 ($183.26) due to the payment method. Then we were taken back to a waiting room, and well, we waited.

At 1455, I was called back to change into hospital clothing…then waited more. Finally, called in at 1510. By 1530, the MRI was done, and 1543 into a taxi back to our place. Starving, Jeff ordered a delivery pizza on our drive back. It was ham, Canadian bacon, onions, black olives, and green bell pepper. We had it within 20 minutes – it was still seaming hot – with a Brazilian wine. Excellent! What a crazy wild day!