Well in April prior to going to MN for what we thought was going to be 6 months, we (Tom’s first time) traveled back to Lago Atitlan to visit the highlands without rain/floods/mudslides.  It was wonderful and also made a stop in Atitlan.  

We also went to see a Orthopedic Dr. Collia to get an MRI on right shoulder and have him look at Tom’s shoulder.  Dr. Collia thought he should first try PT and a cortisone shot.  Tom tried to do the PT but it kept getting worse.  We had another MN friend Dr. look at MRI and he suggested that we have the surgery soon.  So we left MN 2 months early to have the surgery in Guatemala City as we  have a $10K deductible and medical care is good and 1/3 the costs in Guatemala.

We moved into our town home for the first time and both worked PT jobs. We also purchased a used car and drove out to Maine to go sailing with MN friends Barb/Gordon on their S/V Gem going Down East.  It was delightful and reminded us of sailing the remote anchorages of Canadian North Shore Lake Superior EXCEPT the 15-20′ tides.  The most interesting for us was to try to figure out how to get ashore to walk/explore and back to the mother ship via the dinghy within the 6 hour tidal window.  The easiest was if we could find a dock to tie up to but they were far between.  We then continued to drive to New Brunswick and Nova Scottie.  NOW I really want to sail Sojourn there. It had been a LONG time since we had done a land trip and camped in a tent which was so WONDERFUL.  We borrowed a tall tent and obtained a queen inflatable mattress which worked out reasonably well for our old bones.  Peeing at night was the most inconvenient but we endured….  I must say we ended up finding the most diverse campsites (some sorta scary)…..  We drove back to MN via the Canadian roads visiting Old Quebec City and briefly Montreal.  It was a great trip and we hope to continue this each summer. 

We had a great time visiting family and friends along with having Hansmeyer family heritage bus tour and separate 6 sister gatherings. We celebrated grand daughter Clarissa’s nursing degree graduation and the main reason we didn’t sail back to FL last April.  I (Rose) even got to go in September to the BWCA with sister Monica.  I do miss just being around for events like these….

So forwarding now to October 7^th we came back to Guatemala City and Tom had his rotator cuff surgery on October 10^th. Well Tom had 2 hr surgery at 630am Wednesday in Guatemala City and got into hospital room at 2pm for 1 night to manage pain. Rose stayed there as well. Dr. Collia said tendon tear was worse than he saw on MRI – both vertical and horizontal so had to increase 1 arthroscopic incision about 2″ so he could put in a tendon anchor. Plus bone spurs were the largest he had worked on. He cleaned up scar tissue from other frozen tendons, etc. and started passive therapy right away.  Pain isn’t too bad, much better than I expected..   We were fortunate that the hotel owner had a recliner for Tom to sleep in which made it SO wonderful.

The TOTAL surgery bill came to 37,000 Quetzals = $4600.00 USD. We wouldn’t hesitate to come back for medical care. The entire care/location was great except for not understanding the language so needed Rose to attempt to interpret. I had difficulty especially filling out medical forms — plus we forgot Tom’s Passport but that didn’t seem to matter. Tension in shoulder and swelling of arm/hand but Dr. tells us its normal. Tom had bowel issues so Rose….. That was interesting!  PT is very painful but Tom’s is working through it.

We took the 6 hr bus ride to our boat in Rio 10 days after surgery. Have been REALLY busy and HOT getting Tom figured out for sleeping/heat and boat livable. Unfortunately, we came back to alot of mold/mildew this time, torn tarp, bags to unpack, food to figure out, etc.  Doing surgery in Guat created alot of fear for me making sure all was covered/controlled to lesson my fears… Then the boat was another fear but it all worked out just fine. Its a nice resort/marina with pool and cools down at night so easy to sleep. The marina people speak only Spanish which continues to keep me thinking. The sweet main maintenance guy saw Tom doing his exercises and installed a pulley with line for him to use.  This worked out great and we had thought of this but didn’t get around to it.  This way Tom can do the exercises without having to wait for me to assist.  We have found a PT an hour bus ride away in Morelas but may only go 1/week.   One never knows the adventures you will have in this cruising life!!!  

We probably won’t leave the Rio till high tide across the mud/sand bar January 5^th assuming Tom’s PT continues successfully now that he is into the active PT.  We hope to then head to Belize and Mexico (Isla Mujeras) prior to sailing back to FL end of April. While in Mexico we would like to do some land travel in Cuba.  We hope to go to the Bahamas winter 2014 and then explore the east coast and Canadian Maritimes before sailing Sojourn back to Lake Superior. But life is an unknown…..  Live Your Dreams and keep in touch.