Living the Dream

A view of mountains along the Gokyo Ri Trek in Nepal

Tomorrow is my big day!

I leave for Kathmandu and a twelve day trek in the Himalayas, a lifelong dream.

I have to admit...I am experiencing jitters. Can I actually do this?

Brrr!!!

Up until now, trekking in Nepal was my big goal that motivated me to do other work needed to to reverse metabolic disease. I didn't complain about lugging my skis from the car to the lift on a windy two degree day because...Nepal.

I didn't shirk from back to back hikes and snowshoe trips because...Nepal.

And I religiously kept up my twice a week kettlebell sessions because...Nepal.

A lot changed as a result of those activities. My weight dropped from 250 lbs in 2017 to 161 lbs today.

I bought a belt and some smaller clothing.

My body fat percentage dropped from 55% to 38%.

I was able to stop wearing compression on my arm when I am not flying, engaging in risky sports or at extremely high altitudes. I have not experienced swelling since 2021 despite having decided against the recommended lymph node transfer surgery. My newfound muscles compensate for my damaged lymph valves.

This is a pretty big deal since lymphedema is neither curable nor reversible. I still have no lymph valves but for the most part, I can function as if lymphedema did not exist.

With my son and husband on the slopes

I can ski and hike with my family.

And I have a lot more energy.

And yet here I am. Suddenly, trekking in Nepal is not a faraway goal motivating a healthy lifestyle. It is the thing I am actually going to travel across the world to do tomorrow!

House and pet sitters are all in place.

I feel good about having trained as hard and as consistently as I am able. I feel really good about having beaten down cancer, obesity and lymphedema.

But can I actually complete this trek? I just started Medicare a month ago. I'm a bit old to be embarking on the dream I carried around when I was 20.

We fly to Dallas and then to Doha where Richard, Caryl and I meet up with the other members of our team. We all spend the night in Doha and fly out the next day to Kathmandu.

Can I actually hike up to 17,600 feet?

I guess I'll find out!

And so will you.