Re: OT: Seriously amazing accomplishment

On Sun, 07 Oct 2007 19:08:39 -0400, Susan
<Susan@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

x-no-archive: yes

Tom and I are in the Adirondacks (High Peaks region) for the long
weekend, celebrating our 25th anniversary (yeah, I know, lifers are let
out of prison after 25 years, but not us!). Usually we kayak a lot in
the summer because we love it and I don't get severely fatigued or dizzy
because I'm sitting down while paddling and I don't have to turn my head
(as with a canoe, which gives me serious dizzies). We haven't paddled
yet this year because of my severe heat and sun intolerance leading to
adrenal insufficiency episodes, something related to Cushing's syndrome.
I hope to paddle this fall at home.

Yesterday was warm here, and humid. I had to cut short a brief walk
outdoors in the sun due to feeling faint, breathless and getting the
spiking feeling in my chest that sun with heat causes. I was bummed,
because we really wanted to hike this trip, though it's always a crap
shoot whether I'll have a good day and be able.

Today was GORGEOUS. Got up and out early, while the temp was still in
the 40s, headed for Mt. Jo and an allegedly "moderate" climb to the
summit (after walking a mile up the road uphill to get to the trail
head) that was supposedly steep just before the summit. Yeah, ALL the
way before the summit! It was shady, the fall colors were brilliant,
stayed cool out, and the trail was unbelievably difficult, all rocky,
uneven, muddy and STEEP. Tom gave me a hand up a few times (I can just
about barf about the gooey metaphor for our marriage)and shoved my ***
when I asked him too, and I MADE IT! It wasn't an Alp, or a Rocky, but
it's the first mountain I've ever hiked to the summit of. The view of
the surrounding mountains and Heart Lake (I know, know) below was worth
the aches in my knees. 4 hours on that mountain, a mile downhill back
to the car.

Unbelievable, too, how endocrine function responds to conditions,
alternately totally disabling, then allowing one to function.

I'm incredibly proud and happy; I've been diagnosed with and disabled by
chronically fatiguing illness for many years, had months of PT earlier
this year for a right foot that has severe bone and joint damage from
Lyme disease and Cushing's and appear to have a large pituitary tumor
causing it all to be harder to manage.

But NOT TODAY.

YAY, ME!!

BTW, there were preschoolers hiking all the way, and 80 year olds! One
of the 80 year olds passed me!

Susan

Inspirational. A marvellous achievement. Thanks Susan


Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com
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