Welcome to Nepal

Welcome to Nepal

Saturday 16 December 2006

Bitten again

Sore, sore, sore

My infected finger is starting to get sore... again. The initial infection had cleared. It hasn't helped that the dog nipped it again. The very thing that caused the infection in the first place. I just hope my antibodies continue to fight the infection off.

Sunday 3 December 2006

Wrinkles

Healing

My finger is healing up a treat. It has gone all wrinkly now the swelling has reduced and there is dead skin surrounding the puncture mark in the centre. Very odd.

Thursday 30 November 2006

Antibiotics

No adverse reaction

I have been prescribed a course of antibiotics for my infected finger. I have taken three tablets to date and don't seem to be having any adverse reactions, thank goodness. My finger looks a little better as well. I hate having things wrong with me.

Tuesday 28 November 2006

Inoculations

Infection

One of my fingers on my right hand is badly infected. So much so I am going to have to resort to a doctor's visit to get some antibiotics. It is angry, inflamed and quite swollen at the top... the redness is starting to spread down the finger and around the front. It is also very painful. I just hope he doesn't want to lance it. Not that I'm a wimp, but there isn't any yellow pus to be seen - it is just bright red and hot, where my own antibodies are trying to fight the infection.

What caused it? Well it could be a number of things. Ruby (my Jack Russell) has bitten it and punctured the skin. I have also had a blackthorn embedded in it which I dug out with a needle - that wasn't sterilised. I have also had my hands in the pond to clear the filters out. To top it all I then immersed my finger in hot water to try and force the infection to the surface. I suppose I had better tell the doctor everything so he can make his diagnosis and treat me accordingly. 

Whilst I'm at the doctors I may as well ask his advice regarding my inoculations for the Everest trip. I also need to order a stock of antibiotics for any upper respiratory ailments and for bacterial diarrhoea. I presume he will prescribe these. There is not much more to organise now for the trip. I have to get my Nepalese Visa, put together my First Aid kit, go for my sea-level tests and attend the introductory weekend... oh yes, and pay the balance of the cost.

Thursday 16 November 2006

Eye protection

Sunglasses

I have spent the morning corresponding between The Specs Place on the web and my local opticians. All to try and negotiate a best price for my new Rudy Project spectacles.  My optician has quoted £280 for a Rudy Project Kabrio Titanium frame with Lazer Black flip up sunglasses, with Essilar AS Stylis 1.67 Crizal coated lenses.  The Specs Place has quoted £220.  This is a £60 saving that I can ill-afford to ignore.  I have left this final quote with my opticians to see if they can meet the price.  I would like to remain loyal to them if possible, but competition on price is starting to make this more and more difficult.  I can see I will end up ordering from The Specs Place.

I have also been in touch with the lady at Global Positioning Systems regarding the delivery of my Etrex Legend C.  Unfortunately, there is no prospect of getting a replacement for the model that was mislaid by the carrier as it is now discontinued.  I have therefore suggested they supply me with an Etrex Summit (£149.95) for the amount I have already paid to them (£129.95) as a measure of goodwill and for the inconvenience caused.  She said she would need to check with her Product Manager to see what the profit margins were to see if this could be done and will phone me back this afternoon with an answer.  Failing an agreement on this I have asked for my credit card to be reimbursed with the initial outlay.

I have just received a telephone call from my local optician - they have agreed to supply my Rudy Project specs for £220 and match the price of The Specs Place.  Brilliant - just shows what can be done if you persevere with negotiation.  A Win/Win situation all round I think.  They still get the sale and a customer who will stay with them, and I get a good deal.  Let's see what happens with the GPS this afternoon now.

Well... I suppose it was just too much to ask for it all to work out.  GPS will not do a deal so have refunded my money.  Ah well it was worth a try.  Looking on eBay though, there is a couple of the Summit models for sale that might be worth a shot.  We'll see.  I do believe things happen for a reason, so no point getting worked up over issues.

Rudy Project glasses with sun visors

Friday 10 November 2006

Lost parcel

Garmin Etrex

ANC have now confirmed to the supplier they have definitely lost my Garmin GPS package.  Bugger.  Even more annoying is that the supplier now say they are out of stock.  I suppose it was too good to be true.  Although the Garmin Etrex C was a discontinued model, it was still excellent value for money... and it was just too tempting for someone I presume.

I am now left with £130 having been debited from my credit card and nothing to see for this.  The dangers of buying on the web I suppose and the problem with privatised mail services.  Would this have happened in the old days of the Royal Mail monopoly... probably not.

Thursday 9 November 2006

Missing parcel

Garmin Etrex

Typical. So much for paying out for next day delivery. Checking the ANC website to see how my order was progressing, I noticed it had not arrived in Lincoln. This was slightly suspicious, but I left it for a few hours to see if the order information was updated. Unfortunately not. I telephoned ANC first thing in the afternoon to find out the problem. It transpires the package has been mislaid and therefore I need to report this to the distributor (why they couldn't do this I don't know).

I therefore contacted Global Positioning Satellites to let them know my GPS unit had been mislaid. The Customer Services team then contacted ANC Middlesbrough to confirm my story. I am now expecting a call from a Line Manager at Global Positioning Satellites to advise me how they intend to remedy this loss. Just in case of any dispute, I have sent an email as a record of our telephone calls. 

This is annoying - I will see what happens next.

Wednesday 8 November 2006

Garmin unit

GPS

I decided to order a Garmin Etrex C GPS unit this morning which was reduced by over £100. A real bargain. I have been after a GPS unit for some time, but couldn't justify the expense.  At just over £130 this is now manageable.  This model takes 2 x AA batteries so I will use it on my trek to Everest next year. I can also use the rechargeable batteries with my solar panel. I can then keep a check on the route taken and the height gained in altitude each day. My aim is to maintain a diary during the trek and this will be useful data to add to this. Furthermore, it will be an aid to navigation when we go walking in the UK after the trek is over. If we find we don't use it, we can always sell it on.

Friday 27 October 2006

Medical issues

Appointments

I tried to book a dental appointment and an eye-test today. The dentist is not available until December 20th, so I've arranged to see them in the New Year. I suspect this is going to cost me an arm and a leg as I need a thorough check-up of my teeth in readiness for going to Nepal. My eye test is also likely to result in an amended prescription - furthermore I need high UV protection for my trip, so will probably need new frames and lenses as well - more expense. At least the new glasses will last me for a couple of years or more though. No wonder older people moan at the lack of Government support. I remember when eye tests and dental check-ups were free!

Tuesday 26 September 2006

Other kit

It all adds up

Went to specialist climbing shop today to purchase a few items of kit for the Everest trip. After much deliberation, I bought a Black Diamond Zenix IQ head torch, a Therm-a-Rest Trailite self inflating mattress, a bottle of Lifesystems Water Purification iodine droplets, Helly Hansen base layer clothing (long sleeved vest and long johns) and 3 litre CamelBak water pouch for hydration. Even with 20% off cost price, this amounted to £127.60. Yet more hidden costs that I didn't consider before taking on this venture. As I've said many times before though, any fool can be uncomfortable. For me, purchasing good gear in the UK is paramount.

Friday 1 September 2006

Sleeping bag

Iceline 950

With temperatures down to minus 15 degrees centigrade not unusual at Everest Base Camp, I have to purchase a sleeping bag that will keep me warm and comfortable. I am tempted to go for a Mountain Equipment Iceline 950, mainly as I have always found their products to be superb. Some suggest that Rab equipment is superior, but I haven't any experience of this manufacturer. When one is spending between £200-300 on something, you need to be confident it is up to the job.

But... do I buy now... or nearer the time? Will prices rise or fall? If I wait until next year, I qualify for a 20% discount at a particular outdoor supplier, but I don't know whether they will have the product I have researched and want. Rightly or wrongly I have decided to try and source a bag now at a bargain price, just for peace of mind. I hope it works out for the best.

I already own two other Mountain Equipment bags (Fitzroy) that have provided excellent service over the years, but these are not sufficient for the temperatures we expect to encounter. I intend to sell these and recoup some of the costs of the new bag. These are in good condition for their age and still have plenty of loft and thermal properties... and will continue to provide comfort for others. It is one of my contributions towards recycling!

There is still other kit to buy. A decent head torch that will use AA batteries. Perhaps I will consider buying a solar panel for my backpack that can top up rechargeable batteries. This will also charge my digital camera. I should then be self sufficient for my electrical gear. One little luxury I might buy is a wristwatch that measures altitude, min/max temperatures etc. My old Seiko Sports watch has finally given up the ghost and had to be binned. A casualty of the throwaway society - can nothing ever be repaired nowadays?

I'm sure there will be a multitude of other small items that will be needed nearer the time. I must make a list so that I do not miss any of these items. It will be too late once I am in the Himalayas and discover I have forgotten something. What is the saying: 'Proper planning prevents poor performance'.

Monday 28 August 2006

Preparation

New kit

I have purchased an excellent guidebook on 'Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya' by Lonely Planet. This has answered most of my searching questions about what I have set out to complete next year. A few things have reared their head though. I need to purchase some extra equipment to make my trek comfortable. Years ago, when I served in the Territorial Army, one of the instructor's favourite sayings was: 'Any fool can be uncomfortable'. The key of course is to have good gear.

I will need to source a new four-season sleeping bag, some thermal underwear and a few extra pairs of walking socks. I might also consider buying a multi-function watch that measures temperature, altitude etc and possibly a mini solar panel for charging up batteries for a headtorch and digital camera. For the clothing and bag, I will probably stick with the supplier I know best and have relied on for years of walking - Mountain Equipment. The items will be purchased nearer the time, if/when I pass the medical checks that will allow me on the expedition.

The lady I spoke to for my initial booking is going with the rest of the team to Cho Oyu this week as part of her preparations for next year. See weblink: www.xtreme-everest.co.uk/. I have noted the blog 'Feed' and will keep up to date with her progress.

Thursday 17 August 2006

Why did I get involved

New baby

It all started with a rather frantic telephone call from my son on 28th April 2006, to tell me he was rushing his wife to hospital. The baby was on his way... eight weeks early! There were potential complications however, with the local hospital deciding the birth had to be handled by a specialist baby unit. Therefore, my daughter-in-law was transferred by ambulance to Nottingham, where baby Samuel was delivered by caesarean section and placed in intensive care.

It was decided the following day (29th April) that Samuel was to be transferred to another hospital in Leeds. A large growth on his liver required specialist neo-natal care. Arriving at the unit, Samuel was hooked up to all manner of machines. He was administered dextrose, an infusion of blood to help with clotting and morphine to keep him calm. A fibrillation pad was aiding his lungs, and oxygen was being given to help him breathe too. Most importantly though he was stable.

Early news seemed promising. On the 30th April, his oxygen assistance was turned down by 20% and he had a further blood infusion to help the blood clot more readily - a necessity before any operation on the liver. This optimism wasn't to last though, as Samuel took a turn for the worse in the night. After promising signs the day before, there was still a problem with his blood.

Early on the 1st May, the medical team finally advised that nothing more could be done for Samuel. His blood was still not clotting and despite another infusion, he was haemorrhaging internally. The artificial feeding and breathing aids were turned off one by one and the monitoring equipment was removed. Samuel finally died at 11.40am, being held by his mother and father.

The care he received was second to none from start to end. The staff in this particular Neo Natal Unit were superb. This tragic loss to the family was the catalyst for me wanting somehow to put something back into the NHS intensive care system. I could think of nothing better than coupling my love of mountains and walking, with volunteering myself to worthwhile research.

Footnote
The post mortem results showed a birthmark having grown on the liver. This was full of blood cells drawing blood from the normal circulation system. As a result the growth increased with each day putting more and more strain on Samuel's heart. In the end it could not cope with the extra demand. Furthermore, any operation to cut the growth away would have failed as it would have caused a massive haemorrhage. This is what forced the medical team to turn off the life support systems. A sad end to what should have been such a happy time for the family.

Wednesday 16 August 2006

Xtreme Everest Trek - 2007

Adventure beckons

After much deliberation I have decided to try and get on a trek to Everest Base Camp. I am applying for the Xtreme Everest Trek, due to depart early 2007. I have telephoned the office to obtain a Booking Code, but have not had a reply as yet. I have always hankered after a true adventure, but have never had the confidence or wherewithal to attempt it until now. I have reached a point in my life where I don't intend to look back and say: 'I wish I'd done that'.

It is expensive though - some £2,395. Having said that it is for 23 days trekking. An interesting angle to this particular trek, is that it is being used to further medical research. Whilst acclimatising up to Base Camp, various tests will be made on the volunteers to measure the effect of altitude on the human body. I have always wanted my fitness to be tested in a challenging environment and this is one way for that to happen.

So will it all be worthwhile? I hope so... to be involved in this research will fulfil my 'putting something back into society' need, whilst the trek itself should satisfy my adventure 'craving' and my love of being in the mountains. All this would not be possible though without the love and understanding of my wonderful wife who has been dragged unwillingly over some inhospitable terrain in her time with me. I don't know what my kids will say, but at least my wife can breathe a sigh of relief that I will not be dragging her up the Himalayas!

Footnote
Caudwell Xtreme Everest was a research project coordinated by the UCL Centre for Altitude, Space and Extreme environment medicine (CASE) - doctors and scientists studying human systems were stretched to breaking point in extreme environments to increase the understanding of critically ill patients. The goal was to place a research team on the summit of Mount Everest in 2007 and make the first ever measurement of the level of oxygen in human blood at this altitude. This was the centrepiece of an extensive programme of research into hypoxia (low oxygen levels) and human performance at extreme altitude aimed at improving the care of the critically ill and other patients where hypoxia is a fundamental problem.