Hi All,

So you know about my parents doing their big hike adventure down in the Appalachian Trail? After a few zero (for zero hiking) days, meeting up with friends and family and relaxing at a resort, Dad restarted the trail yesterday.I got the following email - being the family nurse and all:

"Leg cramps and fever. Ideas?" - Cryptic much?

I send back my prescription:

"Potassium, hydrate and ibuprofen for leg cramps. Hydrate, tylenol for fever.
Gatorade drinks would be beneficial. But lots of water. Zero day!"

And today I get an email saying "We're okay. Dad is in the ER."

What?! Immediately I think ticks, insect and snake bites, etc. For Dad to actually go see a doctor (they got travel insurance of course, thank goodness!) he *really* must not be feeling well. They ran a ton of tests, and it's good that the hospitals in that area are used to hiking/nature related illnesses and injuries.

As of right now they are thinking Lyme disease (thinking ticks - right before his days off Dad did spend a few nights in the woods in a tent rather than the usual trailer). His liver enzymes are elevated, which can be an indicator. He has been given a 14 day course of antibiotics and ordered rest for a few days until he feels well enough to start up slowly - seeing as the man has been averaging 18-20 miles a day, up to 24!

He's been doing so great on this hike, and we are so proud of him. Mom will take great care of him and make sure he doesn't push himself too hard as he gets back into it (she's kind of an expert nagger). His spirits have been so high because he has been ahead of schedule, and I really hope this doesn't dampen them.

I did have a minor freakout moment after I was finishing up my chores (coping mechanism!) where I was not okay and cried a little bit and had to call Brad at work. I'm okay now, I had lunch and will force myself to relax. Did you know that nurses are *not* okay with being helpless when it comes to someone's health?

If you all could send some vibes, prayers, good karma, fairy dust, whateva to Spot (that's Dad's trail name) and Starcraft (Mom's trail name) I would be hugely appreciative. If you want to send any messages to them, send me a SparkMail and I will email it to them. It would mean a lot to both of them.


Starcraft and Spot last summer after Dad's 11 day hike of PEI - when Mom knew she could never let him go for a 5+ month hike alone: