We had plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Have I got a story for you. It began on November 16, we were anchored in St Anne, a beautiful anchorage on the south coast of Martinique. Daniel and John had finished school for the day and Menno and I were sitting in the cockpit when Menno started to have chest pains, shortness of breath, tingling in his left arm and began perspiring. This lasted for about 5 minutes. We decided to go into the local hospital- Hospital du Marin. He was admitted and sent by ambulance to Fort de France to the "big" hosptial for an Echo and a stress test. His results indicated that he had blockage in his arteries (how much or where was not specified) and they said he needed angioplasty. Ok, then we will go back to the States. But, no, they would not authorize him to fly a commercial airline, the Doctor said he had to be medically evacuated out! Ok. I think we need a second opinion, but where to get one? I called our insurance company and they told me that we are covered for a medical evacuation and the whole family can go as well. So our decision was made, we would get our second opinion back in the States!

November 18 - I called Medway Airlines, based in Atlanta, and gave them the "GO"- six hours later the hospital jet was on the tarmac at the airport in Fort de France, with ICU nurse and Medic on board. We were transported by ambulance to the airport, Menno was secured in the bed and hooked up to oxygen and monitors and off we go. Daniel played cards with Rose, the nurse, on the flight to Miami and John held Menno's hand most of the way. An ambulance met us at Miami International Airport, we cleared through customs in 2-1/2 minutes!, and off we go to Jackson Memorail Hospital. Menno walks into the CCU, in shorts and Tevas, and they seem a bit confused... "You are the patient?"

They did an Echo with the Stress test and drew blood et al- Menno did NOT have a heart attack and he does NOT have any blockage in his arteries!! He is fine, cardiovascular speaking! He got discharged from the hospital on Tuesday. Yahoooo!! So what did happen? They can't say for certain- it may have been a muscle spasm and yes it may happen again. The stress test which showed blockage in Martinique? - well apparently false positives are not uncommon. In Miami they did the Echo in conjunction with the stress test. Perhaps Menno needs to drink more red wine, so I am buying good French wine and filling up the pantry while we are in Marrinique!

Daniel and John were quite the troopers during this entire ordeal! It was a stressful and emotional time for all of us and a bit confusing! There was a silver lining in this cloud and that was having our good friends Mark, Roxanne, Leia and Simon on La Galipote anchored next door to us,they were such a great help. The boys spent two days with them while I was with Menno at the hospital in Martinique trying to figure out what to do and then they kept an eye on Daisy and Eira while we were back in the States. We cannot thank them enough for all they did.

So, after checking out of the hotel in Miami we all drove up to Pompano Beach to see my cousin Greg, his wife Doreen and children Katie and Michael! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at their house! Daniel, John and Michael spent the day fishing, playing basketball and shooting BB guns at the iguanas! It was a relaxing and very enjoyable day and so nice to be able to spend the holiday with family! We had lots to be thankful for this year.

Friday we caught an early morning flight out of Miami and arrived in Fort de France at 3pm. Mark, Roxanne, Leia and Simon were waiting for us at the marina! It felt great to be home again and Daisy was so happy to have us back on Eira!