Surgery is like Climbing Everest!

I have often compared the surgery for this disease to climbing Mt Everest. Getting to the peak can be brutal but there you are, looking at the world from a different vantage point. Seeing the possibilities and being transformed physically, emotionally and spiritually. Few people have made it to the peak and there is tremendous relief and expectation, having reached it. The journey isn’t over at the peak though. It can still be painful and difficult as you descend back to Base Camp and then ultimately, home. The good news though, is that the journey going forward, is one of getting back to your “normal” life. I’m certain that you will be changed, some more so than others depending on the circumstances and conditions of your climb. For most the weather was perfect and their assent, and descent, were pretty “easy”. Still difficult, of course, but it could have been worse. When they return home, they will more easily adapt back into their old life. This is the majority of climbers; thousands before you! For others though, they may return with scars and trials, both physical and emotional, because the conditions of their journey added complicating factors. The weather may have turned, they might have experienced an earthquake or avalanche, such as being diagnosed with Adhesive Arachnoiditis, cysts throughout their spine, high Cerebrospinal Fluid, etc. Although we’ve all reached the same peak, it has been an individual climb and descent for each of us. We can study the typical journey, but we’re often not prepared for other factors, that only we may experience.

The good news is that their are climbers who have gone before you, who’ve also faced more complications with their climb and are doing very well, like myself. We all should find hope that the majority of climbers return not only healthy, but proud of the accomplishments that they have made from the journey! We also must all recognize that for some, it may take longer to readjust to our new “normal”. We are still proud of our journey but we can’t compare ourselves to the people we were before our ascent anymore. The journey changed us, and in many ways we’re stronger and wiser, but we will have to adjust our expectations about our physical abilities now. Those who have more difficult descents are rare. They eventually get home though. It just might take them longer and they may have to adjust their expectations.