Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

Henry David Thoreau

Abrupt Early End to Our Delaware Water Gap Visit

Sunday September 4, 2016
Dingman’s Campground                                                                 Most Recent Posts:
Delaware Water Gap                                                      A Very Difficult Trail to Get to the AT
Dingman’s Ferry, Pennsylvania                   Fossils on the Trail, Mice in the Kitchen, Unique Graveyard in the Woods

 

 

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After our difficult hike yesterday (if you didn’t read about it, it’s above in blue) David was very tired.  We didn’t think much of it because it was a very strenuous hike and a long day. 

A couple of weeks ago, his weekly blood tests had shown for the second month in a row that his current treatment wasn’t working well.  So after discussions with his doctors, it was decided that he would try a new treatment beginning this past Wednesday.

As all cancer treatments do, this one had a lengthy list of side effects.  Luckily for David, he has had few effects with his previous treatments, other than some peripheral neuropathy and trouble sleeping.  He was fine Thursday after the first dose on Wednesday, he took the second dose Friday, and was fine Saturday.  We didn’t associate his tiredness after the Sunday hike with any side effect.  I was tired too though not as severely as he was.  But that’s sort of to be expected.

 

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On Sunday he had mild diarrhea.  On Monday it was worse.  On Tuesday it was no better and his temperature reached 100.5.  At that point, I knew it was time to take him to the hospital.  We drove across the historic bridge to Bon Secours Hospital in Port Jervis New York where he spent 3 nights until they could get him rehydrated and his fever down. 

 

We got him released as soon as we could since hospitals are very dangerous places for someone with a compromised immune system.  While a much better hospital than our hospital from hell visit in Harrisburg 3 years ago,  this one had no hematologist and knew pretty much nothing about Multiple Myeloma.  I think we may not return to Pennsylvania again since he has ended up in the hospital twice here.

Because of the hospital stay we were not able to paddle on the Delaware River or ride our bikes on the McDade Trail which runs nearly all the way through the gap, as well as do several other hikes all of which were planned for this week when he was sick for 6 days.

I was also really looking forward to our next stop after Delaware Water Gap which was to be a two week stay on an ocean front site at Assateague National Seashore but it was not to be.  I cancelled it, to someone’s joy I am sure, and we made a fast trip back to Virginia and his hematologist there. 

Obviously the treatment was stopped when the symptoms first showed themselves and nothing else could be started until he fully recovered. from its effects.  He did recover.  More on that in a future post from Virginia.

I have one more post from the Delaware Water Gap before the Virginia posts.  It’s of a another hike that turned also out to be a lot of trouble to get to but worth it and not strenuous.  The falls were lovely and more full than others we’ve seen.  I am glad to end our stay here with soothing waterfalls given these past days.

I took the hike in the morning of the day David was released which was the day before we left the Gap for our fast drive back to Virginia.   That post will be up next, followed by an update on David.

22 comments:

  1. It's always a disappointment having to change plans, especially for a serious medical issue. Hope David is on a different course of treatment and doing better now.

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  2. I can certainly empathize with you both. The additional stress of the main driver getting sick is no fun either. Glad you weren't too far from home base. Looking forward to hearing he's doing well, and that your last DWG hike was lovely.

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  3. I also hope this turned out to be another bump in the road. Keep going David. You were doing great.

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  4. Oh, I hope to hear good news in your next few posts. No fun to have plans changed, we sure know that.

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  5. The best part of this post is reading that David recovered. I hope that all is well and that you're enjoying your time in Virginia. Sending hugs to you both.

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  6. I was surprised David even continued that hike because he so often avoids the really strenuous ones. My best wishes for his recovery and a bit of normalcy in your lives.

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  7. So sorry to read about David's hospital stay. I'm hoping your next post will be real time so we know how David is two months later. Glad David was able to get home to his doctor.

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  8. Thanks for all the concern and good wishes! I too am glad to be back to feeling well and out of the hospital! Very sorry to have missed the beach time at Assateague though.

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  9. As always, wishing the best and hoping for a fast track back to normalcy. You are in my thoughts, David.

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  10. Wishing David well...these kinds of set backs are scary, it is good you acted quickly once you realized he was not improving.

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  11. David, I am so sorry that my birth state has caused you so much trouble:o(( Just glad to know you are doing better. Take care and know we are always sending best wishes to you both!!!

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  12. So sorry to hear about further problems for David. It must be so frustrating for him as well as you. I hope that he is recovering quickly and that the hematologist can figure out the next best move for David. Thinking of you both.

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  13. Pennsylvania...so frustrating, but that's over now thank goodness. Looking forward to the Virginia posts since Celia and I get to make an appearance :)

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  14. The medical issues do have to come first, as frustrating as they can be. I hope the doctors continue to be on top of things.

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  15. Thinking of you both sorry to hear of this setback and hopefully they will have treatment sorted out soon....

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  16. I'll focus on the positive and say that I am glad to hear David recovered.

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  17. I'm glad to hear David is doing better. I think you made the right decisions.

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  18. Part of traveling is being adaptable, which you two most certainly are. Especially under the circumstances. Glad to hear David is better. So look forward to the next, maybe more up to date, post.

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  19. By the time you read this, hope David is feeling much better!

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  20. It's great to see David on the trail, on the kayak and tinkering around Winona. He is a fighter.

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