Descending the South Face

Climbing Mt. Everest is a dangerous journey with many risks. Interestingly, the problems incurred by its climbers are usually greatest on the descent, not the climb. While the climb has many perils, the return is more perilous given the exhaustion of the climb. Climbers sometimes don’t save enough for the trip home.

On Drew’s trip home, the short term challenge is now waiting for the transplant to stick. Drew is dealing with discomforts and low energy this week and next. Eleven drugs today, not counting the salt water rinses, skin creams, lip balms, and nasal sprays. Then we will watch for acute graft-vs-host reactions, which should be anything from rashes to more intestinal reactions. Since his immune system will be suppressed, he will get a few infections. Then he will watch for longer-term reactions for the rest of the year – probably negligible given his age and the close matching of Wanda and her friends.

Drew has saved a lot for the trip down the mountain. Getting to the transplant was a long climb, and we are in the down phase – the long and treacherous walk home. Drew touches the Exit signs at each end of the hallway on his walks as a way of counting off the laps.
Sissies not welcome.