Getting into the thick of things. Growth is strong, temperatures were moderate and rain was regular. Ideal climate for July/August.
Two further hurdles remaining after reaching the top ahead.
Someone familiar coming out of the forest.
A fair reflection of the forests and the trail.
Reaching the refugi for brunch.
Turning to face the next mountain and spotting the refugi. Six years ago, we spent a delightful night in it.
The reward: Liquid in a red can. We remember our drinking experiences in Nepal: In Kathmandu, we would pay 80 cents for a can of Coke. As we climbed higher, the price followed the trend. A few miles from Everest Base Camp, we paid $6 for a can. At the time, I could not resist spoiling ourselves although I did feel guilty. After observing the Sherpas carrying crates up the mountains, my guilt changed in favor of their hardships, the lives these tough fellows endure. The price at the refugi got to $3.75 a can. When we stayed overnight on the last occasion we were in Andorra, I helped the owner unload supplies from a helicopter. Clearly, the transportation costs make up a sizeable amount of the cost/price.
We look down toward part of the trail followed.
At that stage on our return, we were pretty tired. I wonder whether Jen was contemplating a shortcut.
It's overwhelming at times.
At the very informal entrance to the park, quite a location to choose to live.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
The highest mountain in Andorra.
I tried a number of remedies, such as changing my gait, attempting other movements like gliding, ignoring the pain, limping, even oil tablets. I never take medicines unless prescribed by a doctor as necessary. The problem with the aging or frequent use of body parts is that they wear. Unfortunately, once the cartilage disappears, the result is bone-on-bone friction which causes continuous damage to the bones obviously, restricted movement and various degrees of pain.
Prior to the commencement of Hike-About, we were completing a hike in Sedona, Bear Mountain, and I received the message from my hip, a Nike moment: ‘Just Do It’. More than eight years after my initial consultation, Dr. Norman agreed to mend me and he sure did. Within 5 months of the procedure, we commenced Hike-About. Just to give you some data which obviously reflects the competence of Dr. Norman Kane: In a twelve-year period, the replaced hip completed on trails and mountains, over ten thousand miles distance and elevation gain of approximately 600 miles. While these figures are inaccurate, they are calculated with reference to recorded hikes. I would say the hip replacement was ‘successful’.
Fast forward some nine years. We were descending a rather steep section of Molly’s Nipple in Utah, (forgive me but that’s the given name for this mountain), and I slipped. Thereafter, I noticed a slight change in the function of my left hip. Once again, I dealt with it using home-developed remedies but did not resume the oil tablet remedy. Instead, every now and again, stopped into a Jiffy Lube, checking to inquire whether they had a human equivalent service. When a person is desperate, it appears they try anything. Add in stupidity, and it’s dangerous to a person’s health. Fortunately, the hip settled down somewhat, and I enjoyed another year of good activity.
We changed medical insurance companies some years back and a deep regret was that Dr. Norman could no longer offer a covered service. I thought of many ideas but once again, none were acceptable. We had joined Kaiser Permanente. The visit to Dr. Yashar proved that my left hip had reached 4th stage of degeneration (the lowest), almost worse than the occurrences at brothel parties.
Unfortunately, during that period, the Covid virus restricted such procedures. In many respects, I was pleased as it allowed us to continue hiking. When an opening arose, I chose instead to recall the home remedy and we were able to enjoy a fantastic period in Europe, two in South Africa, and various USA states.
On our penultimate hiking day in Andorra, after a great climb and a part-return to the trailhead, I knew that it would become the final one of the trip. Fortunately, we were on a waitlist for surgery and two weeks prior to the ultimate hike, the date was confirmed finally.
When my late Mom had her hip replacements in 2005 and 2006, in those days the hospital stay was 5 days. When we were attending to her, we got an idea what it was all about. However, my Mom was much tougher than me and handled the pain and discomfort superbly. Jen used to join her in the shower and of course, I could only assist once she had a towel around her. However, it worked well.
I did not mention initially that Scripps Hospital had a long waitlist even in 2010. Dr. Norman said should I be prepared for a less than 24 hours stay, he would operate at his own clinic. Some ordinance prohibits stays for a longer period. I grabbed the offer. When I asked the Kaiser scheduler how long the stay would be, she said, “No hospital stay—Out after the procedure completed”. We arrived at hospital at 5:30am for preparation, wheeled into the operating theater at 7:30am, left the hospital under the supervision and in the care of my ‘care-giver’/driver/nurse/love-of-life, at 11. Whether I should have done it or not, nevertheless, I undertook a little business activity between 12 and 1pm. It was an unusual day. At times, it felt like an adventure—I enjoyed it. (Am I losing it?) How long will it be before one can undertake 'drive-through surgery?'
From the moment Kaiser approved the date of surgery, the organization appeared to be an efficient medical machine with all resources focused on bringing about what needed to be done to facilitate the procedure. To say Jen and I were impressed is an understatement. Obviously, the final arbiter will be when (if) we reach the heights we have in the past, particularly, a return to the Nepalese Himalayas. That will be the ultimate proof of success or otherwise of the new hip.
It behooves and gives me pleasure to mention that the surgeon, Dr. Yashar, was wonderful to relate to and be under his team’s care. I felt completely comfortable and relaxed at all times, especially when under anesthetic. Talking of the latter, I received a spinal block rather than a general anesthetic from Dr. Chris Chen. In the few minutes of briefing and discussion, I discerned how easy it would be to befriend such a person. The spinal block system is superb. I’m going to recommend it to all my patients. When I awoke, I had had a mask on which dispensed what they called ‘sleepy medicine’ and hopefully, oxygen. It was as if I had dozed off for a few minutes and awoke in the normal way.
I also want to mention that when we were with Dr. Yashar, going through my records and preparing for the surgery, he informed us that he and his wife would probably spend much time in Andorra when they retired. We had returned less than a week earlier after 6 weeks in that country—kindred spirits.
The atmosphere in the operating theater was special. There were a number of people going about their duties, talking with each other and myself, creating an atmosphere as I remember in the change rooms before a soccer or rugby game. Perhaps the person who stood out the most was Nurse Lisa McAllister. Whereas in my experiences, whomever I have dealt with at Kaiser has been professional, caring and efficient, Lisa was at my side from the moment of admission, with short breaks, until she wheeled me outside of the hospital a few hours later. She acted like a caring daughter and how do you value something so precious. Thank you, Lisa, and thank you to all—far too many to mention. You do yourselves and profession proud.
Jenni mentioned in passing as we were leaving that she was a little perturbed. ‘What’s wrong?” I wanted to know. “Nothing really, but it seemed you were having such fun in the hospital that I feel I’m dragging you home.” Maybe she had a point.
I should have realized that special occasions were ahead for me. Initially, in the days heading into surgery, I developed apprehension about showering. The thought of lifting the leg into the tub, perhaps a slippery surface to follow, and soaping the lower extremities could be nightmarish. Fortunately, I’m finding it comfortable to enter the tub. The highlight, of course, the treat-of-treats, is my girl washing me. Not to forget how she soaps between my toes and dries them is something that good health will take away from me.
The strangest sensation I felt was when we returned home, the Sonesta Suites. I felt satisfied even happy. It went counter to what one would expect or of previous experiences. Was it the gas pumped into me or, I’d like to believe, I’d finally put the surgery behind me, had Jenni at my side and been given the Kaiser treatment, they made me feel like a king. To balance things, sometimes when I have to dress or get in and out of bed, the level of pain and frustration is high. However, it gets better each day and soon Jen won’t have to endure my whining.
To those that replied to Jenni’s Facebook message, I thank you for your kind wishes.
I hope to see some of you soon, others while we wander in the wonders of the wilderness.
Taken after healing following the first hip replacement, at Diablo Park, California, I now shudder when I think of landing hard on a rock. 
Floating on top of the world in Andorra. Oh, for a pair of wings to soar above the clouds.
Cheers,
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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