Spencer's report

The last couple of weeks we've had some time off from the temple (two days for Christmas and two days for New Year's) and now we are closed for two weeks of maintenance. A good part of that has been, however; going to doctor's appointments and for lab work for Jeanine. Each specialist directs us to another specialist and another set of lab work tests. Each experience (office) has it's schedule with sitting and waiting. The good thing is that it hasn't caused too much interruption from our appointed assignment. Jeanine has missed some days at the temple due to appointments, but I've been able to keep going. The second good thing about the appointments is that the medical system works differently here. We have been able to go to the next appointment without waiting for approval from insurance companies. We take her medical records with us for the next doctor to see, so we don't duplicate blood work. The cost of doing all these very technological exams is much less than it would be in the USA. Each test gives us new guidance and eliminates some serious implications. I have real faith and hope that these procedures will keep us here for many more months and will prove to be for our good. I'll let Jeanine tell you about our little side trip to Coban. It's a mountainous rain forest area. This week we will go to Lake Atitlan. We will spend two nights there. We've been there before, but it is beautiful and we want to take a boat across the lake. We should have some nice pictures of it to share next week. Note from Jeanine: I had two doctor's appointments last Monday in Guatemala City and all day appointments here on Thursday and Friday. I've now had ultra sounds of my kidneys, bladder, liver, and heart. A CT scan of my abdomen, an endoscopy that included 13 biopsies and a Halter Monitor. I've had more urinalysis and cultures than I can count and lots and lots of blood work. There isn't much left to check out! But I'll come out on top--just wait and see!