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Vieques- April 2006
Living and Working in Vieques..
Living and Working
Undetectable barely discernable, not able to be seen, invisible or gone. That was the word from my partners partner yesterday. The wonderful, loaded word that my partners tumor was regarded by the doctors in San Juan as undetectable.
He was in the hospital because he developed a fever. But now, even though we learn he has pneumonia, we also learn that the eight weeks of radiation and chemo, of an alternate life; of suffering endless needles, nausea, and fear have, for the moment, resulted in undetectable.
Soon my partner will be home. And although he has to return to Houston for a check up, I now expect things to return more or less to normal. More or less, because it is impossible to take for granted the things we took so casually before he was diagnosed with lung cancer. I think that is a good thing.
Those us who have lived here a while, complain now about the changes in Vieques. Too many tourists, too many rich people, too much change. But it is a self conscious, self serving complaint. We know we are incredibly lucky. Lucky even to have been discovered; which brought with a large increase in property values, a fabulous coffee bar, a sushi bar, better selection of food in the markets and even some pretty interesting new people.
Sure, the traffic is more congested, the beaches are more crowded (maybe youll find 20 people on a beach instead of 6), reservations are required at restaurants in season the list of minor, petty complaints goes on. Once I pretended to care. Now, with my partners tumor undetectable, I see only the bright side.
It is spring, the mango blossoms, soon to turn to fruit, are spectacular, the view across the ocean is shimmering, the water temperature is perfect, and that sushi bar provides me with my favorite food three times a week. Next year, or the year after, we will have the NY Times delivered on Sunday, American Airlines will finally fly in here and, I hear, two fabulous San Juan restaurants are negotiating for space in Vieques.
Nothing will ever be the same again. My partners cancer, although now undetectable (how I love that word) has changed many of us forever. We will surely pay more attention to the important things, the joyous things, and the life affirming things.
It means too, that many of you who have not yet met my partner will now be able to do so. In a month or so, drop in to the Crows Nest, say HI to my partner, shake his hand, see if you can discern what a unique person he is. Let me know.Have a wonderful Spring,
Sheila
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Webmaster's Note * Sheila has many hats and is Co-owner of Crow's Nest Realty with Eli Belendez.
Sheila can be reached for a brochure through her web page at http://www.crowsnestrealty.com