Here we are in an air ambulance Lear Jet operated by Guardian Air in Alaska flying from Ketchikan, Alaska to Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham, Washington State.

I haven’t felt well since we boarded the Regatta which was a shame as I couldn’t really enjoy all the beautiful food & we didn’t even drink our free bottle of champagne. It came to a head on Friday night when I was admitted to the ship’s hospital. I was looked after so well by the doctor & nurse who monitored me all night. It was amazing. The doctor thought I might need a blood transfusion so he put a message over the public address asking for people to donate for me. David said the queue filled the surgery & went way down the corridor. I felt very lucky to have so many people prepared to give up their Friday night partying & their blood for me. It was very special! Fortunately I didn’t need the blood but I am currently having an iron infusion as I write as my haemoglobin level is very low.

When we docked in Ketchikan, our first port, the ambulance was waiting & I was whisked off to the small but well equiped local hospital where I was given a whole heap of tests. The doctor recommended that I be airlifted to a larger centre for further testing & treatment & they organised it all.

When we arrived in Bellingham the ambulance was waiting & I was brought straight to my room where I am again having excellent treatment & I’m hoping to be released tomorrow.

I cannot begin to tell you just how wonderful all of the people who have helped have been. All of the ambulance officers especially the flight nurses were so lovely & cheerful & great tour guides! Here, a fire engine always accompanies the ambulance. I’m not sure why. But I’m glad they do because when we arrived here the firemen carried all of our luggage up to my room. Thank God we have cover for unlimited medical as the flight alone was over $68000.

Ketchikan was very wet, windy & cold yesterday & I don’t know how much fun the shore excursions would have been but probably more fun than being trussed up like a turkey on a stretcher in an plane. Poor David coped exceedingly well with having to pack all of our luggage up ready to leave the ship. He managed to fit everything in the cases but now we don’t know what is where. Finding stuff is quite a puzzle.

The views of both Ketchikan & Billingham from the air were lovely as is the view from my hospital window. I wish we could have finished our cruise but I’m just thankful that we are safe & so grateful for the wonderful help we have received. We are not sure yet what happens next but hopefully we can sort it tomorrow.

This is my view: