Adversity is a seed that grows the strongest of trees…

I’m afraid our Thru Hike adventure has taken an uncharted path. Monday evening August 21st, after a beautiful day of exploring Grandfather Falls and surrounding areas, I became feverish and ill.

We drove home and by the time I got home, I could barely get out of the truck and into my bed. After a very rough night, I went to the ER on Tuesday August 22nd with 103 fever/chills, bodyaches, severe headache. I was admitted and underwent MRIs, spinal tap, CTs, ultrasound, echocardiogram…(pretty much any test you can think of). I was discharged Saturday the 26th.

I received 3 different IV antibiotics around the clock, for what still seems like a bit of a mystery. My liver function declined, my red blood cell counts bottomed out and they removed my gallbladder. Infectious disease is still not convinced that the gallbladder was “the” issue, but rather part of the cascade. However, so far the tick panels come back negative. I went back in on Monday the 28th with pulmonary edema and heart failure due to fluid overload.

I am happy to report I’m home and improving significantly. The fluid is almost all off, I am sleeping better and regaining energy. I’m so glad to be home. I have my husband, children and therapeutic kitty at my side and an amazing support network.

That said, this setback won’t allow me to get back on the trail to complete the Thru Hike within the original deadline. My new goal will be to complete it with a 12 month timeframe which is still considered a thru hike. All in good time though~for now I need to heal and get stronger.

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about curveballs like this. Just when we think we have a plan or a goal, life can get scary and change in a day. That’s what happens with Parkinson disease, isn’t it? You notice changes in your body but just don’t expect the diagnosis or understand how it may impact life. The key is that we maintain hope, revise our plan and continue to take steps forward. We are all struck with adversity~ how we handle it speaks to our strength and integrity. It increases resilience for the challenges yet to come.

Thank you SO much for cheering us on! We backpacked 357.7 miles, which may not have been our end goal but is still a pretty cool achievement! I will forever cherish the daily bonding time with my husband.

Please, please, continue your Move More Challenge!! I have set new goals and Tim is still hiking locally daily on his own. Do not give up~ if you do our efforts will be futile. I would love to see your comments on your Move More challenge progress! You are all an inspiration!

~Dacy