The Big Challenge

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 Not knowing, is the difficult bit.  The unresponsive Gastro doc, the isolation, the foreign land, adds to it.  This was not an ordinary inflammation of the oesophagus.  I needed to get back to Salvador to get help.  My sister-in-law inadvertently sent the Brazilian navy to check on us.  They found us anchored in the river just outside of Itacare.  If I knew we would be getting visitors I would have gotten out of my pyjamas and fixed my hair!  The navy visit, as well as a few other boats who had heard the "emergency" call out on the VHF radio, set our resolve to head back to Salvador.

It is 200nm Itacare to Salvador.  We would do it over two days, stopping to rest for the night at Garapua.  The first leg was relatively easy but John was very weak;  I had my first day seasickness.  The second day was harder, with rain showers and beating into wind.  John was now running on empty.  I had contacted a Brazil yachting group before leaving and the community had sprung into action and alerted Terminau Nautico marina of our arrival, as well as organising an appointment with a top Gastroenterologist.

Doctors, x-rays, tests, more tests, hospitals, more doctors.  It was the worst news!

Anchored outside of Itacare


Visit from the Brazil navy

Back to Terminau Nautico marina, Salvador


Family support, lunch in Pelourinho


 


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