From undiagnosed to climbing Mt. Everest!

[Cindy]

Just returned from having my dysphagia, barium shallow, esophagram testing done - and I passed No structural damage

[elephant]

That's Great Cindy! Yahoo!!

[coffeelover]

I say that you receive a A on that test! Congrats

[Sangye]

Cindy, that's great news! What a relief!

[jola57]

Oh how wonderful one less thing to worry about

[Doug]

Good news, Cindy!

[Cindy]

Within the last few days I am been in communication with two of my Everest summit team members AND one of them is a disabled athlete! I cannot say more with his/her permission but that is too cool!

[Doug]

Within the last few days I am been in communication with two of my Everest summit team members AND one of them is a disabled athlete! I cannot say more with his/her permission but that is too cool!

I second that! I used to tell people who wanted to help me when I felt I should at least try to do something to determine if I could: "If you want an invalid, treat me like one." Sometimes I fell on my face, figuratively and literally, but I still learned something about my capabilities.

[onatreetop]

I have to say that you have inspired me as well. Since I hit the weight I did and dicided it was time to take control of it again I have been exercising everyday in some form or another. Which leads me to this question, How are you or do you train for this event of a life time? There has to be a lot of strength and endurance training?

[Cindy]

Onatreetop, GREAT! The best thing I think we can do is to tell ourselves that we are in control (although we all know if Weggie wants - it talks). Please be careful not to over do - especially at first. I have a Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology and know my body well. Also, I have been testing myself on a lesser level to evaluate the WG variables and training for Everest. After all, I do not have a death wish.

Training to climb any big mountain takes total dedication: both physical and mental. There is a lot of discomfort that goes with spending weeks (and for Mt. Everest months) at high altitude, in a tent, with one set of clothes, no bathing, finding and treating water, bad food, wind, snow, ice, cold, hot, going to the toilet in a zip lock bag - I can go on and on

If I am not working, I am training with both weights and aerobics. I climb a local mountain almost every weekend. My great Hubby goes with me. Training with ropes and knots, rock climbing, ice climbing etc...

However, I must be careful. I have some joint issues etc...
I am getting excited - I leave for Kathmandu in four months and one day