01/07/2022
Here’s another update, due to a change in plans for tomorrow.
After the tough climb yesterday, I felt so terrible I couldn’t do anything. I was dehydrated and nauseous. Big thanks to my climbing buddy, Mark Krueger, who set up my tent.
My companions brought me some soup, and I tried to drink as much as possible. But my head was hurting so bad it was hard to do anything. My sleep last night was very broken because when I move, I have this terrible stabbing pain in my head.
Today is a rest day. I ate a little breakfast but was still super cotton-mouthed. My head was the biggest issue because it constantly throbbed. I went to try laying down in my tent, but because of the direct sun, it’s super hot in the tent. I slept there anyway. I kept waking up because the pain in my head was so intense. And Tylenol wasn’t doing anything for the pain.
The agenda for tomorrow changed somewhat. Tomorrow the group is planning to visit the next camp (Camp 1) to move some equipment. There is currently no water in Camp 1 so there is a need to carry water up.
I’m concerned because everyone needs to be super hydrated by that point – and I’m clearly not.
I saw a doctor today – I was miserable. He told me that I had moderate-acute altitude sickness. He gave me a shot with Dexametrazone and something for vomiting. He said if I didn’t feel better in two hours I had to go down the mountain. He told me to wait 20 minutes and then drink at least 2 liters of water. I was supposed to return for a follow-up in 2 hours. But I drank a little water and fell asleep. It was my first pain-free moment in a long time.
At the 2 hour mark, our main guide, Lucas, returned to take me to the doctor's follow-up appointment. I told him I had slept and needed a little time. My head felt much better. I still feel kinda weak, but overall I did feel better. He started me on Diamox. He also gave me some tablets for pain. Tomorrow when the group heads to Camp 1, I have to stay here. It will be another rest day for me. Then the next day we will go to Cerro Bonete for an “acclimatization hike.” If I’m feeling better, we will be back on track.
Today has been rough to say the least. More pain than someone should have to endure. On multiple occasions, I told myself I was done. Multiple times I just wanted to have them fly me back down the mountain. All I wanted for them to say was, “He needs to go back down.” My confidence has been lacking. There are just too many negative things happening to stay positive. And for to use that know me, that’s very uncharacteristic.
So that’s my update. Not great news. But not terrible either. I’m feeling somewhat better. I have an extra rest day tomorrow. Hopefully, the meds will start helping. I will go back to the doctor tomorrow morning for another check-up.
Prayers are appreciated. I’m basically putting it all on God at this point. I told him I’m here to do his will, and I fully accept whatever he has planned for me. If it means I continue, I will. If it’s not meant to be, I accept that.
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