Monday, May 27th, 2002
Allison and the Mystery Illness
Saint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles

After Gus left, we had less than a week before my friend Amie arrived for a short visit, and then only a few days after that before we left the safety of our dock for good, and started to head south for hurricane season. There was a lot to do, so Curt and I both wanted to get things squared away early and anticipated a busy week. Monday was one of those days where you almost forget to eat, so when I felt just exhausted by three in the afternoon, I didn't give it a second thought. After futile efforts to push past my sleepiness, I decided just to lay down for one of those 20 minute power naps. Somehow that 20 minute nap lasted until 8 the next morning, and not only didn't I feel rested, I actually felt worse. My stomach was a mess, I had the chills even though it was 85 degrees out, and just moving from one end of the boat to the other exhausted me. Curt was still working away on his last boat "to-dos" and I was feeling guilty for not pulling my weight. Well, when by Wednesday I still wasn't feeling better, I decided to see a doctor.

Dr. Johan SomethingorotherDutch at the Simpson Bay Medical Clinic was nice enough. He thought it could be a number of things. He thought blood work was a good idea as medical care was a bit shaky between here and Grenada and we had plans to leave so soon. Actually, to be more correct, he said the healthcare is just fine in Martinique and Guadelupe but that the French are such asses, I'd likely get so frustrated dealing with them we'd end up making one long straight shot for Grenada if we needed care.

So Curt drove me to the lab in Marigot (on the French side of the island ironically enough). I was curious as to what we'd fine and was presently surprised. The staff was courteous and smiling. They were familiar and laughing with some of the other patients. The facilities were clean, and reminded me a bit of the healthcare center at my university. They drew some blood and sent me on my way with a smile and a thank you.

I suppose the story would be more interesting if I ended up having some bizarre tropical illness, but alas- no. The blood work came back negative and by Friday I was feeling more back to my old self again. But I'm not quite as fearsome of the medical care here.

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