[at-l] Gone for a week or so

[Bluetrail@aol.com (Bluetrail@aol.com)]

On Saturday evening I'll be signing off for a week or so because on Monday I'm having surgery to remove bone spurs in my neck.  Those of you who followed the Wanchor Reports last summer may remember what a fit they gave me then.  

Two neurosurgeons have now told me that the spurs have narrowed and compressed my spinal cord to the point that I'm at greater than normal risk of paralysis in the event of a whiplash injury or even a bad fall.  I could live with the pain, but since I'm happily planning on putting myself in situations where face plants are inevitable, I'm going to have this surgery.  Also, my neck greatly protested the one overnight backpack I did on Christmas.

The good news is the surgeon did his undergraduate work at Dartmouth, has hiked on the AT outside of Hanover and is now doing YMCA Indian Guides hiking and camping with his son.  (He didn't even want me day hiking NOW until I reminded him that flat Florida is NOT the AT outside of Hanover-and I promised to hike with both sticks until the surgery.)  

Further good news is I've lost 51 lbs. since November, and I've found two other crazy women who want to backpack eight or nine days with me on the River to River Trail (my dream) in April 2003.  Now I need to decide on a new pack and new sleeping bag and maybe a new tent.  

My brother is coming down from Illinois to play nurse the first week after surgery, and a couple of hiking friends are on standby should I need help beyond the first week.  You all play nice while I'm gone.  

Joan
bluetrail@aol.com