Saturday, August 27, 2011

Da Count-Ascent

Anyone who has read this blog in the last year knows Calypso struggled terribly with her health this past year. Around Easter she was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease (oh, the irony) and began treatment. IT took quite a while before she really began to feel much better. The process was initially hindered by a truly crazy physician who I believe preys upon families who are desperate to do anything to make a loved one better when every other doctor has given up. It was a damn hard year, and that was only dealing with Calypso's medical situation and trying to help her graduate on time. Consistent readers may well remember how the universe just seemed to pile on crisis after crisis.

I've said it before and I'm saying it again today. I am profoundly grateful that Calypso is regaining her health and she is able to move forward in her life. Tomorrow (barring disaster related to Wicked Irene) we will be taking her a camp about three hours away where she will be involved in a nine month cross-cultural training, service-oriented program. Two days after we drop her off she heads out to Colorado to commence with the team-building exercise of backpacking in the Rockies for four days.

Three months ago, even though we had a diagnosis and what seemed like an effective treatment, I never would have dared to hope she'd be well enough to do this. I wasn't concerned about Calypso's sense of determination. She demonstrated this past year that she has what it takes to gut through tremendous adversity. I just didn't know if her body would be recovered sufficiently from a year of disease and atrophy to allow her to physically gut through.

This summer she was working to build up strength and stamina again. We are fortunate enough to live within decent distance to the Appalachian Trail and Mr. Lime is an experienced backpacker. Since he's been off school he has been able to take Calypso out on different sections of the trail for some training hikes. Let me tell you the AT in Pennsylvania is a challenging trek because of how rocky it is. There are a number of ascents but even the flat sections of trail are no picnic because of the proliferation of rocks.

Yesterday Mr. Lime took Calypso out for their final hike before she leaves. It was a demanding trail that ascends 1200 ft. in 2 miles. Some sections of it are more like vertical free climbing. When they made the top I received this picture.


A few minutes later I noticed on Facebook that Calypso had posted, "I climbed a mountain!" Yes, Calypso, you most certainly have.  I hope you are reveling in the view.

16 comments:

Unknown said...

So glad for her and glad for you, too!

~Tim said...

Woot! Big smile.

Craig said...

Amazing! That's a major victory for yer girl!

God is good. . .

Anonymous said...

Hell yeah!!!

She looks so much like you!

Rick Rockhill said...

well that's nifty. sorry I've been "away so long" just catching up, finally. hope all is well.

rick

for a different kind of girl said...

How amazing and lovely! I know you're so very proud of her, but I hope she's twice as proud of herself! That's a great photo to remind her!

Mona said...

That is quite a feat

Moannie said...

What an amazing girl [do hope she keeps covered on her next trek;don't lime ticks hide in grass?]

Am I alone in thinking that Mr.Lime has a resemblance to dear old Jim of Suldog fame?

Rob said...

"...then, in honor of her mom, Calypso latched onto a zip line and descended from the top of the mountain at record speed!"

What an amazing young woman you and Mr. Lime have raised, Michelle! I hope she has a wonderful experience in the Rockies and throughout her cross-cultural service project! The human spirit is something to behold...

Suldog said...

Way cool. And I remember you commenting at one time or another about Mr. Lime being a redhead and all. I think on a good day for me, and perhaps a bad day for him, we could pass for brothers (he being the younger.)

Hilary said...

That is truly wonderful. I'm so happy for Calypso and for you and the rest of your family. And I didn't catch it upon first glance, but after reading Moannie's and Jim's comments, I do see the resemblance.

Commander Zaius said...

Totally cool! Best to everyone.

secret agent woman said...

Yay for her! Such great news.

snowelf said...

That eye leaking thing must be contageous.

--snow

Dave said...

Well done Calypso and you and your husband Michelle. You have had a challenging year but with determination, have come through it.
Seems like Calypso will be OK. Hope you get power on soon and can get back to normal. - Dave

Bijoux said...

So happy for your family!