the ape is in hospital

[Hill Ape]

Just throwing out some fear to the group that most understands this. Replies unnecessary. Been here for a couple weeks now. Today got some news I can't accept. Lesion on my lower spinal column is causing loss of feeling and motor control of legs. IF it gets better, it's going to get worse first

This just won't do. There are hills to climb, views to see, miles of trail still

[Studlintsean]

Sorry to hear this Hillape. Get better.

[HikerMom58]

Noooooo!! I don't like to hear this buddy! I will pray for a speedy recovery for you!

[johnnybgood]

Listen to your doctors and take the time needed to heal.
No rush, the trail ain't going nowhere.

Godspeed my friend .

[Kerosene]

My condolences. I've dealt with severe diagnoses for myself and other close friends multiple times. One "trick" I've learned is to make every effort to avoid projecting the worst case. Whenever you find yourself doing so (and you will do so frequently) push yourself to just focus on the next step: what you know for sure, what you can do next, what more you need to learn. Anything else (beyond a positive outlook of course) is a waste of the energy you'll need to recover.

I've also been frequently amazed at the adaptability of the human spirit. With time and the right outlook, people can be amazingly adaptable and eventually happy. Of course, you will move through the well-established stages of grief in some order over some period of time, but you will get through it. Hang in there and keep on truckin'.

[bamboo bob]

Follow orders. Do what they tell you to do. You can get through it.

[rafe]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[Weather-man]

Get through this, get strong again and get back in the hills.

[bfayer]

To paraphrase an old nautical saying, the trail is a patient mistress. She will wait until you're ready to hike. Hang in there and you will be hiking again sooner than ya think.

[Deer Hunter]

Sorry to hear this, ape. Hope you get better.

[ChinMusic]

Best wishes on a full recovery. Hope to read good news soon.

[canoe]

keep your chin up. What are the doctors throwing at you?

[jimmyjam]

My prayers are with you for a full recovery.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

[Wise Old Owl]

Sorry to hear this Hillape. give the doc's a chance... My prayers are with you.

[Spirit Walker]

I'm sorry to hear this. I hope the surgeons are able to fix the problem so you can hike again.

[Marta]

Best wishes, man. Take care of yourself. I'm cheering for your return to the Trail.

[GreatDane]

There's not much more difficult to deal with than a lousy diagnosis. You'll go through all of the stages of grief. You'll want to fight and to give up, sometimes at the same moment. Give yourself as much time as you can to understand your condition and the possible treatments. Get a second or third opinion, if you think it would be a good idea. Then follow your treatment plan to the letter. Use your love of hiking and your desire to get back on the trail as your goal and inspiration to keep you going through your treatment. Planning and training for a thru helped me get through some pretty scary heart problems. They aren't and probably never will be completely gone, and have definitely affected my strength and stamina, but I've learned to work around them. When I last saw the doctor, he was amazed at my improved health and ok'd my hike. Have faith that you'll be back on the trail. Good luck!

[Trailweaver]

After having some major difficulties myself for the past two years, I can sympathize. I'm still not able to hike, but hope to do so some time this year. I got thru it by reading the trail journals, visualizing the hikers at the places they described (and in the circumstances they were facing), and remembering those same kinds of issues/places where I'd been. I laughed about some prediciments, I felt extreme empathy with some, and just felt a one-ness with each journal as I read it.

As I read, I realized that I might not be able to hike again, but I had my memories, my photos, and nothing could take that away. You have it too. You can hang on to those, and you can hopefully get back out there and make more.

I hope so. I hope you have a good recovery and your doctors are great with what they are able to do. Be patient, read the journals, look at your own photos, and have "sweet dreams" every night while your body recovers. We'll all be thinking of you!

[moytoy]

I hope you will keep posting about your illness and recovery as I'm dealing with some spine issues as well. Spine issues definitely relate to hiking.
Hoping your doctors can get you back to the trail.

[A.T.Lt]

Hope you feel better soon. Thinking about you