Among mountain climbers there’s a saying that the summit is halfway. It’s a little-known fact that more climbers die descending the mountain after summiting than trying to go up. This old adage is to remind them that the goal is not to make the summit, but to make smart decisions and save enough energy to make it back to basecamp. Back to their friends and family where they can share stories of the adventure.
When I was discharged from the hospital following the transplant I felt like I was on the top of a mountain. I looked forward to each day getting a little better than the previous one. I had forgotten that the summit is only halfway. The descent was almost immediately met with the dark clouds of an unexpected storm. Rock slides, whiteouts and avalanches ensued and have battered and bruised my body so badly that I’ve been left pissing and shitting blood on the side of the mountain (I really wish this were just part of the metaphor). It’s been 93 days and I’ve been stuck in the storm on the side of the mountain ever since. At times it’s felt hopeless to try to make it back to basecamp. It’s taken every ounce of energy and mental fortitude I have to take one step at a time down the mountain knowing that I would either make it down or die trying. They say it’s always darkest before the dawn. The night before my 30th birthday, I lost so much blood that my heart rate jumped to 140 and blood pressure fell to just over 80/40. I couldn’t stand without completely losing my vision. My heart raced as I lay in bed as if I were climbing Hatcher Pass on my bike. I thought it might all be over. Thanks to the tireless all-night work of nurses, doctors, and 7 blood donors I will never get to meet, they were able to get the bleeding to stop and get me filled back up with red blood. Then this week, there was a slight break in the clouds. On Monday the final results of the bone marrow biopsy came in and showed that I remain leukemia free and over 98 percent of my immune system is now my Dad’s – Hope. A reason to keep fighting, to keep putting one step in front of the other. Then yesterday we got unexpectedly good news. The biopsy from a birthday colonoscopy (happy birthday?) showed “likely improvement and healing in the gut.” This is great and relieving news. After 33 days of laying in bed having doctors say they have no way of know if I am getting or will get better, we finally have evidence that the damage from the GVH is likely improving. We still have a long, dangerous way to go. We’re not even close to the bottom and there are many technical sections ahead. The docs warn that I am still at an extremely high risk of infection and bleeding. But this week brought us down to camp 4, where the altitude is a little lower and oxygen a bit thicker. Most importantly the hope and determination to get back to basecamp where friends and family await is stronger than ever. A huge thank you for all of the support/prayers/good vibes and #30forsam love. It’s kept me going through days I could not have gotten through on my own.
Eric Booton
1/20/2016 03:53:37 pm
Pleased to hear of the recent good news! Keep putting one sure footed foot in front of the other. See ya in base camp with a cold one.
Annie
1/20/2016 03:55:20 pm
Sam! A delight to hear from you! Sending all the good thoughts your way!
Hannah
1/20/2016 04:41:39 pm
So happy to hear your voice Sam! Sending you some virtual trekking poles to help lighten the load on the way down. Rooting for you every second of every day!
Dick Lamers
1/20/2016 04:51:13 pm
Sammy,
sally
1/20/2016 04:55:52 pm
Sam... you have had all of us cheering for you at base camp... wishing you the warmth of a quinzhee hut and a break in the storm. SO happy to hear that you are at 98%. Wishing you some much needed sunshine.
Pete
1/20/2016 05:11:51 pm
Yeah! I'm glad to read your words. Keep on truckin', little brother.
Maggie
1/20/2016 05:45:24 pm
You are an inspiration! Keep your head high,breath deep and keep hope going that the decent from that wicked mountain is short and smooth. Sending my love.
Beverly Mangerson
1/20/2016 07:07:43 pm
So happy to hear from you and the good news. Keep up the fight. We all know you can win! xo
Hillary Feder
1/20/2016 07:31:41 pm
Sam,
Kati!
1/20/2016 10:05:43 pm
Yeah Sam! Keep those steady feet one day at a time. We're here for yah buddy! Celebration whiskey soon.
Dawn
1/21/2016 02:31:54 am
You will get there Sam, there are prayers coming and positive thoughts your way from all over!! you have amazing strength!! Will continue to pray, can't wait to hear when you get further down the hill!!
Eric Almond
1/21/2016 05:40:00 am
So nice to hear from you again, Sam. Sally and I are thinking about you every day.
Jo Lemmens
1/21/2016 05:41:11 am
You are an inspiration to us all. Our love, support and prayers continue for you as you continue your journey to basecamp.p
marilyn tucker
1/21/2016 05:43:41 am
Sam and Jen - ty for the updates - it sounds like the whole hospital staff is treating you like the VIP you are - they will not let you fall off that mountain - keep your head up and keep on fighting the battle - prayers go out for your health, wealth and happiness
Ryan
1/21/2016 02:41:08 pm
Really great news Sam! Very happy to hear it. keep on!
Khalial
1/21/2016 05:56:15 pm
Sam!!! So relieved that your descent is improving little by little! You are a champ! We are cheering your every step!
Emily kintzer
1/22/2016 02:42:16 pm
So happy to hear of some improvement. You are so corageous! Comments are closed.
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