4-24-16 through 4-28-16
After our rotation to Camps 1 and 2, we planned to take four full rest days to get back on our feet. I really needed this time off…coming down was tough for me, not only because I felt exhausted but also because my cough increased substantially. First night back at EBC was demoralizing and miserable, coughing up green plugs all night long, getting little real sleep. The thought of trying for the summit seemed preposterous.
Fortunately, we have great expertise in our IMG guides. A multi-pronged attack on the cough has worked wonders! I almost feel back to my old self after several days of intensive treatment, including:
- Rest to reduce the cough trigger of deep breathing;
- Staying in the tent as much as possible to shield my lungs from the withering dry cold wind;
- Always breathing through a buff;
- Minimizing talking and joking, even at meal time (this is tough);
- Lots of hot beverages, including some Throat Coat tea featuring Slippery Elm;
- Breathing in hot vapors (water, with or without liniment);
- Cepacol lozenges to numb the throat;
- Guaifenesin + dextromethorphan every 12 hours;
- Codeine 15mg by mouth every 6 hours if necessary (usually not, just at bedtime);
- Continuing twice-daily Advair Diskus;
- Albuterol MDI several times per day as needed for wheezing.
The pain in my right chest is purely musculoskeletal, I must have strained an intercostal while coughing. It is getting better.
We stayed active, of course, including a hike to a local lookout…
And a trip to the glacier for ice climbing for some of us…
Although we will not need to use O2 on this coming rotation, we started getting familiar with the systems now, well ahead of when we will need them…
We ultimately decided to add a fifth rest day, meaning today 4-28-16, which was welcome news to me. I’m as eager as anyone for the summit, but I’ve been planning on this expedition since the second grade… another day of rest makes sense.
The plan: leave after midnight tonight for Camp 1, then spend the night there. Next day, we will go to Camp 2 and spend the night there. Then, we climb to a new high: Camp 3 circa 24,000 feet, where we spend the night without supplemental oxygen… it will be spicy. Then, down to Camp 2 for a night, and then back to EBC the next day.
Thus, I’ll be offline until at least May 3, 2016. I’ll try to keep in touch daily via the Delorme InReach, feel welcome to track our progress if you like. Happy birthday in advance to my lovely sister Katie, I will miss you on our shared birthday 4-30.
Vibe of the day: Let’s do this.
Happy birthday two days early! I will think of you every minute — remembering the joyous day when you were born. We must have a huge celebration when you return. I’m praying the treatment for your cough continues to cause improvement. Continue to be smart and careful. Love you
xox
Thanks so much Mom, I am indeed getting better. This will be a fun rotation, especially with my birthday thrown in there…. thanks for having me in the first place! Love you.
Happy birthday, Paul! We are missing you, thinking of you and looking forward to having you home! Stay warm and safe.
Thanks Jane, much appreciated! Looking forward to coming home next month…..
Great post and more great photos. Thanks for sharing. Quick pep talk reminder- NO way you want to have to go back. Get it done this time. Suffer fest 2016. Enjoy!
Word. Give hug or other acceptable gesture to your lovely wife… and kid!!
Stay strong, Paul! Glad to hear your health is back on track.
Thanks man!
IT IS SO GREAT TO SEE HOW WELL YOU ALL ARE DOING! AND HAVING FUN! PERSISTENCE AND DETERMINATION ARE OMNIPOTENT. YOU HAVE THEM BOTH. LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE AT THE TOP.
CAN’T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I ENJOYED THE INCREDIBLE TREK TO EBC WITH ALL YOU, THE SHERPAS, AND IMG. AND NOW I GET TO FOLLOW YOU TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD. MAY THE MOUNTAIN GODS BE KIND TO YOU THIS YEAR.
Thanks so much Roger, and great to hear from you. We will keep you in mind as we go higher…. More soon!
Happy birthday brother. Proud of you. Suck on some more of that oxygen to heal those lungs. I’m running a USMC physical fitness test in the morn–easy stuff when you’re at sea level. I’ll be thinking of you.
Thanks Matty, love you so much, and so proud of you! Will be thinking of you on this rotation. Hugs to the fam!
So sorry about the bothersome URT stuff! Yipes, that’s unpleasant! Luckily, IMG’s seasoned 8000 meter mountaineers who know the high mountain cough so well, combined with the smart MD’s up there (like you and Emily, for example), are surely implementing the best “workaround” so you can breathe freely and climb well. I’m sending well-wishes directly to your bronchial tree, dude. Keep on keeping us posted!
Thanks Susi! My tree appreciates it……
Dr. P2:
I hope you got my other messages.
Please take care of those lungs. I admire your courage.
Keep it up. Thinking of you and praying for you.
Josette
Thanks Josette, yes I have gotten your nice messages, please keep them coming!
Gorgeous photos and love hearing about the adventures.
Stunning photos (especially the stars!) and an absolute page-turner of a blog. Godspeed
Thanks Kit! Very encouraging!