I've procrastinated writing this post hoping for a resolution rather than dragging it out in the blog. However, the path forward is still TBD. Last week after covering another 160+ miles I was once again forced off the trail outside Roanoke, Virginia. Crohn's Disease has won another round but the fight isn't over
Annoyingly, my gurgling stomach provides the background soundtrack as I work out my options for when/if I can resume my hike. I fight to keep disappointment and frustration in check as I work through the scenarios. Even though it's mandatory, forced time off to recover feels like wasting days. Admittedly, the cold reality of my situation is at odds with my resolve to get back to the trail. But, too many sacrifices were made and too much hard work went into creating the opportunity to give in without a fight. I simply want to finish what I started, albeit in a modified sequence.
Looking back in late May when I resumed my AT trek after being forced off the first time, I felt like I had this. Physically I was strong, my mind was right, I was in the flow. My symptoms, while not nonexistent was manageable... I felt okay. Looking back, I believe my gratitude for being back on the AT masked the gradually intensifying health issues. As it always had been, each day on the trail was simultaneously very hard and truly awesome. However, the difficulty increased hand in hand with my symptoms. Like the sun burning off morning fog, it gradually became clear the cocktail of new meds meant to carry me through to Maine wasn't working. Indeed, new symptoms manifested and my old friend mister hernia was agitated by the situation as well. Quietly hoping time would calm my problems to a compliant and sustainable level, I hiked on.
The days were great and my appreciation for being back in the woods provided patience and painkiller. Southern Virginia's beauty framed by a fortunate string of days with beautiful blue skies added unneeded incentive. I was lucky to be there and didn't take a moment for granted. Then the concerns once murmuring at the surface began to get louder.
Correspondingly the immediate hiking plans offered a couple of shorter days. Each day's objective is to a large extent, based on water availability. Needing to gear down as it were, a short 12-14 mile day seemed perfect. The thought was to hike over Dragon's Tooth the next morning and descend down to McAfee Knob parking area. From there, catch a ride to town, resupply and get back on trail in time to catch McAfee in the golden hour. My new trail friend, Nick (he refuses a trail name) a 60 something Triple Crowner (completed the AT, PCT, and CDT) endorsed the plan. Our next "zero" was 2 days away. After dinner, I hung my bear bag, went through my nightly routine and crawled into my tent and crashed looking forward to a good night's sleep. Within an hour, I realized the night would be anything but restful as Crohn's came knocking. Good times.
Morning arrived early. Continuing symptoms along with lack of sleep and low energy dictated I change plans, get off the trail for a day and rest as soon as possible. luckily, I have a sweet sister-in-law who lives in Roanoke, minutes from the trailhead who offered to help. First thing is first, we had to complete the hike. I had been looking forward to this section for a while. It was tough but all things considered, the day went well. I wasn't particularly nimble but I completed the hike.
Once off the trail and finally at the hotel, we showered and did the necessary chores while looking forward to a relaxing zero day. Nick, who has encyclopedic knowledge in all things "long distance hiking" and a deep knowledge of Virginia (he was overseer at Bearfence in the Shenandoah National Park for 18 years) helped me work through possible scenarios and workarounds.
We chilled the following day finishing up chores and prepared to hit the trail early the next morning. Feeling somewhat better, I thought I could knock out another 30-40 miles and then reevaluate in a couple of days. I was wrong. After dinner, it was abundantly clear I had to get off the trail for awhile and get this situation under control. Sadly, I said goodbye to Nick and another friend "Skipper" who went back to the trail while I rented a car and returned to Georgia.
Communicating with my doctor who initially helped me prepare for the journey and now is working to get back in the woods made modifications to the meds. He also worked me in for an office visit. At this point, I am not allowed to return to the hike until we get a firm grip on the situation. There are still multiple tests still to endure and the window of time to complete the entire trail this year is closing. Hopefully, I'll soon have an idea if I'm still in the game.
My legs are strong, my heart is resolute and my mind is focused. I only need a little cooperation from the rest of my body.
As my friend Nick would often say, paraphrasing an old Scottish proverb "Set a Stout Heart to a Steep Hillside".
