August 4, 2017

Hey Mom,

This past week i had a compromisso (appointment) with the doctor here in paranaguá. He said that i am not improving but getting worse. I didnt believe this as i am feeling loads better. He perscribed me one more medication to buy and then to rest for TEN DAYS. 

 I recieved your get well package wednesday night and it couldnt have been at any better timing. I cried after all the other elders had left. And yesterday, thursday., i had zone conference, the AP's and president came out. Sister cuvelier and i talked after the meeting for a good 20 minutes about my situation with the medical diagnosis. She said that if the doctors were THAT concerned with my situaion we had two things to do, and that was send all of these diagnosis and xrays to the area doctor for all of brazil, a elder missionary that is english and a profession doctor, and then under his direction if he saw fit, i would go to curitiba for more tests. He is a second opinion and in my opinion as well i wish he couldve been my first. 

Elder Whiting, the doctor over all of the area of brazil, called today. He speaks very formal english and it was an amazing break for me haha. He told me i shouldnt worry about the perscription of home rest. He joked "youre a long way from Hurricane Utah my friend" and was very nice. A huge relief to me today. He said he would email you. The doctors here are not trained very well and i am glad i could get a true professionals opinion but im grateful for the care that ive been getting anyway. A member in the ward also brought over a respirator like the one you use the other night and i think that that has honestly helped my cause more than anything else.

 I am feeling loads and loads better and i am looking forward to transfers in a week and two days. Today we have a family night with a member and we have a few lessons as well. Everything is going amazing and i love the work and im glad i can improve because its no fun being sick and sitting in the house with nothing to do, its simply not my purpose! hahah. Pass this info on to dad if you would please as well and let him know im doing great along with anyone else that might need to know. Elder Whiting said he wrote you and email as well and also told me to watch my knee, possibly buy a knee brace if i need to because the roads here in brazil can be tough to get around on. I will watch my knee very closely i promise.

But as a recap: I am improving. I recieved your package (peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches are the best!! and orange juice for breakfast has been good for the soul!) we had zone conference and talking with sister cuvelier and elser whiting over the telephone was amazing and relieving as well. I love and want you to know im doing great(: i send you my love and the family and will continue to improve and my spirits are high and positive. I will talk to you monday! Love you(:

-Matthew