Christmas in Antigua (tis the season of illness)

Mum Thomas had spent a whole year planning our Christmas vacation in Antigua. She had planned the vacation spot, the flights, the meals, the gifts, the activities....everything was perfect. Unfortunately, what we discovered, was that you cannot plan for illness.

The first week of the vacation was Andrew's brother's family time in Antigua and the whole family came down with gastroenteritis, including their toddler. Fortunately, they were on the mend by the time we had arrived for our Christmas photo.

Proud Grandma with Grandsons
Greg, Arleen and Kai

The day after we arrived Dylan came down with fever, headache, extreme malaise, and then laryngitis. Poor boy, he couldn't talk and could hardly drag himself to the beach just to rest. He had no appetite and and twice he VOMITED while in a restaurant (he ran out sobbing both times over the embarrassment). I must admit, by Day 3 I became very concerned about Dylan....his behaviour was sooooo atypical and the fever had not abated, instead it was worse. I began to doubt my abilities as a nurse and especially as a mother. During a sudden panic attack with visions of endocarditis dancing in my head, I suddenly bundled him off to see a pediatrician. She also did not think he had a bacterial infection and so it was back to symptomatic treatment for a viral infection.

We still managed to squeeze in a few normal activities during the first 4 days of Dylan's illness.

Opening presents on Christmas Day

Santa came to visit Antigua via a rubber dingy.

Andrew and I managed to spend a morning visiting St. John and saw the cruise ships in port.

At nighttime, Andrew and I made the most of the evening entertainment. I must admit, they put on great performances with a Carnivale Parade, Antiguan dance numbers and great bands. One night we had a beach bonfire with fire dancing.

Andrew and Dylan went sailing on a Hobie Kat.

Everyday we had scattered showers. But, they were brief and refreshing.

Since this was a mainly British tourist destination, there was CRICKET on the beach instead of football.

Arleen made a magnificent sand and seashell sculpture of a mermaid.

We relaxed on the beach to watch the "suitcase head" ladies sell their wares.

This was the first year that we had an all-inclusive meal plan and we LOVED it. No worries about grocery shopping and meal preparation. The meals were great and we were shocked to see Mum going back for seconds at mealtime. Furthermore, Mum would enjoy her cucumber sandwiches at High Tea and then still be able to eat a full dinner at the late hour of 6:30pm. Tee hee hee....it was very entertaining to see Mum enjoy her meals this much!

By Day 5 Dylan had 50% of his energy level back and we were able to go ZIP- LINING through the treetop canopy of the rainforest.

Dylan coming in for a landing while yelling like TARZAN

By Day 6 Dylan had 60% of his energy level back and we were able to go sailing on a KATAMORAN to Bird Island where we say thousands of migrating butterflies.

Dylan was allowed to steer our dingy back from snorkeling to the KATAMORAN

Day 7 and Dylan finally felt like socializing (slightly) with other children on the beach...

....and playing pool.

Andrew did not escape the gastroenteritis. Three hours after we returned from our vacation he was up all night with severe abdominal cramping and vomiting.

Ah yes.......Christmas 2007.....the year of illness. May we be truly grateful to God for our health and wellness.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE and a HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL!