After I was free of the lung drain, Dr. Juergens suggested if I wished I could go to Martinique, and come back for treatments every four weeks. Three weeks there, one week in Hamilton. She thought it could be tiring but refreshing. I jumped on the opportunity, with no hesitation. Spending another winter in Hamilton was not appealing at all.
While we were debating, our sailor friend Sid of Liming Time, suggested that I should check with the Cancer Centre in Antigua, which was run by some Canadian doctors. Apparently he had used their service, and thought it to be a good establishment. I wrote to them from Canada with the consent of Dr. Juergens, and found them to be quite receptive. After calculations, we thought that the cost of airfare would be slightly less than the drug (when purchased from India though, the US price was 20 times more), administration extra. While I was contemplating, my brother (always adamant) begged me to reconsider, citing the drugs made elsewhere being unreliable; and told numerous stories. He really spooked me, and I decided against the idea. It could have been very convenient to anchor around Antigua and take the bus for the treatments! Possibly it was nothing but the arrogance of the European, badmouthing the drugs made to specifications, but sold at a lower price in the third world, which I think only reflects lower labour costs, not quality. Who knows? But at this juncture, I need full confidence in the treatment, even if it may be physically more demanding for my body to travel each month.
We returned to Le Marin in November, and took our baby out of the filthy marina, and anchored in our usual spot at St Anne. What a relief, to breath the salty humid air, after the dry and polluted one of Hamilton. However this visit was to be short, since my brother was to visit Canada during holidays to see me, and travel to Cuba for a week. Al and I returned to Hamilton right before Christmas, and after New Year’s, Al returned to St Anne, and we (the whole family with the children) flew to Varadero, Cuba.
CHRIS THE WATER FAIRY
One day while whizzing by in the dingy, we saw a little yellow boat having a sign about delivering water, and a telephone number. We usually get our water from the service dock at the marina in Le Marin, every 10 days or so. It had started to become a burden to weigh anchor, motor half an hour, and wait our turn about the service dock, circling like sharks among numerous boats. I think the most stressful aspect of taking water was the waiting for other boats to clear a space (as soon as the boat gets tied, the world around them fade away, and life becomes slow motion). There is always plenty of wind, and not enough space to go around. So, seeing the possibility of such service was a happy moment for Al. He immediately started calling the number, at first without success, but one time it went through, and Chris came to our boat to discuss. We later learned that, we had been his first customer, and quite loyal too! Chris always talked extensively about his business aspirations, and St Anne politics while filling our tank. Apparently the mayoralty was in the hands of separatist (not Martinique separating from France, but small town of St Anne separating from all the rest). The absurdity of the scheme is not lost on Chris, and he was cursing the existing politicians with relish, accusing them of being against all business owners at the town and the sailors anchored at the bay. We usually just listened to his frustrations, in half English, half French, and expressed wonder.
Just before leaving for Canada before Christmas, Al mentioned our travel plans, told Chris his predicament of returning on a week day, and having no one to meet him at the airport and also give him a ride to the anchored boat. We had decided to leave Ruyam II anchored at St Anne, and not tied at the marina, which had no space during the holidays. Chris immediately offered his services, complete with delivery to the boat for a measly 50 Euros. He indicated that he was thinking of expanding his business, and hiring some people to free up his time. Well done Chris! He is such a personable and smart guy, albeit looking like a teenager. The lucky islanders, never show their age.
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