It might have been a trip tinged with sadness, but a paddle in her favourite island’s clear waters was more than enough to bring a smile to Patti Svika-Buckner’s face.A frequent cruise visitor to the Island, some may think Mrs Svika-Buckner has already experienced all the sun and pink sand our 21 square miles have to offer.But even for a seasoned Bermuda holiday-maker, this was a vacation with a difference — brain cancer patient Mrs Svika-Buckner could only have days to live, and this week was her final chance to say goodbye.The 54-year-old, from Rochester, New York, was a passenger on the Norwegian Star with her sister-in-law Terri Burns; Bermudian minibus driver Michal Tucker was their chauffeur.Mrs Svika-Buckner met The Royal Gazette to talk about how her “happy place” helped her relax during the most difficult of times.“All my family wanted me to try somewhere new because I’d been here four times already, but I just wanted to come here. It’s a beautiful Island and the water ... oh my gosh,” she said.She was diagnosed with a brain tumour in March 2011 and had initial surgery to remove most of it at that time.However in April this year she learned the tumour had doubled in size and was now so deep into the brain there was nothing else they could do for her.“They said they give me anywhere from a few days to a few months,” said Mrs Svika-Buckner. “We used to see that kind of thing on TV all the time. It’s just different being part of it. I don’t want to die.“My husband insisted I go on vacation and enjoy myself. Now I’m doing things like going to Bermuda and enjoying life.“The first time I came here I went snorkelling at Tobacco Bay and I fell in love with snorkelling.“And in St George’s the people get to know you. You go in one of the gift shops and they remember you.”The Salt Rock Grill in Somerset laid on free meals for Mrs Svika-Buckner and Mrs Burns after Mr Tucker told them about their visit. The group invited The Royal Gazette to join them for a paddle in Mangrove Bay on Thursday.Mr Tucker, a self-appointed Bermuda ambassador who operates Affordable-Ride Mini-Bus, said: “They just rode with me last year. They e-mailed me recently and said she had cancer and she wants to come back to Bermuda one more time.“I just thought, it’s her last time and I wanted to make sure she had a good time and see what the Bermuda people are all about.”Valerie Leader-Furbert, from promotional services at the Tourism Department, and the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre helped coordinate the visit and ensure Mrs Svika-Buckner received first class treatment as she made her way around the Island.Mrs Burns said: “They’ve all looked after her so well. This is her trip and everyone has made it special for her.”Daughter Christine Miller said: “Mom has been on a few cruises to Bermuda and fell in love. It is her ‘happy place’.“Her first real vacation was only a few years ago and to Bermuda. She never wanted to go anywhere else after falling in love the first time — and hasn’t.“She loves the beaches and pink sand. She is able to relax there and find peace.“Mom decided she was not going to sit home and wait to die but rather go to her ‘happy place’ one more time. Some sunshine and water would lift her spirits.”She said of Mr Tucker: “He had been our tour guide by chance on our last trip and they had kept in touch. What he planned for her was a welcome surprise to us all. His kindheartedness has made a true impact on both mom and her family.“Her children have been at ease knowing she is taken care of while out of the States.“Many times when you hear about cancer patients the word ‘hope’ comes up. We were told she really didn’t have much hope at beating this disease from the beginning.“Her story is more one of courage. She has not let cancer get in the way of life over the last year.”Mrs Miller said her mother had spent the past year planning numerous birthday gatherings for her three children and three grandchildren.“She is a mother who always puts family first,” she said. “She always thinks of others and does for others.“The amazing support from the people of Bermuda is almost overwhelming. Mom finally gets to be put first and have someone take care of her. Michal Tuker is a godsend who can never be paid back properly by us.”