Ten Years to the Top ...page 9

Fri, 02/09/2007 - 12:04 — Dena

Hero of My Story

10 years on and celebrating life wherever it takes me. Here I am in Nepal, at our camp near Gorak Shep.Friday, December 5, 2006 -- Colorado Springs, Colorado

It was a perfect day for hiking, but I had planned to start my Christmas shopping after a nine o'clock appointment.  Enroute to my car after my appointment, I noticed the spectacular view of Pike's Peak--one of those breathtaking, stop-you-in-your-tracks views, that no one expects during the first week of December.  As tempted as I was to "switch gears" and head for the trails, I stayed with my plan.  Picking out gifts for special people in my life seemed like a satisfying thing to do on the day I would celebrate my 10th Anniversary.

At 3:30 in the afternoon, I realized I had not stopped for lunch.  It was such a beautiful day--temperature in the 60s--that I decided to walk over to On the Border, a restaurant with a late afternoon Happy Hour.  Interesting, I thought, that I was celebrating my climb to the Top of a Mountain at a restaurant called On the Border!

I sat down at one of the high tables with tall bar stools, and ordered a spinach quesadilla and beer.  It did not matter that I was celebrating by myself.  If Roni were not in Florida, I knew she would be celebrating with me--but probably with a glass of wine over at the Broadmoor.  And if I had mentioned the occasion to my cousin Judy, I know she would have insisted on joining me.  But I was just fine, celebrating my ten-year climb to the top, right here, On the Border, by myself.  So here I was, perched on a tall bar stool, contemplating the then and now.  Ironic, I thought--that ten years ago today, I sat at the end of one of those high examining tables, while a doctor sat on a stool, apologetically passing on life-threatening news.  Ten years ago, I sought answers on how to avoid death.  Today, I seek out the best ways to live life.  Ten years ago today, my body ached with fear.  Today, that fear is totally gone.  Ten years ago, I took on a challenge with no guarantees.  Today, I celebrate the rewards of that challenge: new friendships, an abundance of knowledge, discovering REAL mountains, and the gift of life.  I conquered my mountain!  I reached My Everest.  And what an experience it was!

I paid my bill and said goodbye to the friendly bartender.  On my way out, I passed two Fort Carson soldiers who looked young enough to have their IDs checked.  On my way home, I thought about those soldiers--if they had just come back from Iraq or were waiting to be deployed.  Maybe they went to On the Border to celebrate their Everest--after surviving the war in Iraq.  Whether they are going to or returning from battle, they are our heroes!

Back at my cabin, I thought about the serendipitous kind of day it had been--Spring weather in December--getting into the Christmas Spirit--and celebrating "My Everest".  Today, I reached the top of my mountain--and just for today I became the hero of my own story.  Somewhere today, a woman has probably heard the diagnosis of breast cancer and is beginning her climb to the top.  Someday she will talk about her Everest, and will have the pleasure of being hero of her own story!

Dena

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Messages

INSPIRATION

Mary Clare Reinhardt — Sun, 02/11/2007 - 20:44

Hi Dena
I think that if I went to Webster's dictionary right now and looked up the word inspiration, I would see the name Dena Lasater. Your story is so moving and so poignant! Coincidentally, I just went snowshoeing with someone who I met through a mountain group I started called West Coast Mountain. This July, she is climbing Mt. Rainier for the “Climb to Fight Breast Cancer”. This will be her first serious mountain. She is trying to raise money before the climb. I felt that I had other areas to put my money and I wasn't sure if I would be able to donate for this cause. Well, as I was reading your story, the answer came very easily. Thank you for sharing your “Everest”.

I also share your love of the mountains. My hiking has been in the San Bernardino’s, the Sierra Nevada’s and small peaks in the NW. I will be climbing Mt. St. Helen's and Mt. Adams this May. Then Mt. Whitney the 2nd week of June and I hope to summit Kilimanjaro on June 30th (my 50th b-day and a full moon.) In September, I will be climbing either Mt. Rainier or Mt. Baker. I have a strong desire to trek in the Himalayan Mountain region and will probably do the Annapurna Circuit in the future. You have helped to confirm my reasons to want to climb and trek these mountains!

I like that you mentioned "our heroes" the men and women who protect our freedom. My current "Everest" is trying to record, publish and market 75 songs that I have written. One of my songs that I will be recording this month is titled "Song for the Soldier".

Congratulations on reaching your “Everest”. I wish you many more years of the life you are living today. You have touched me profoundly and I thank you. I admire your courageousness, your tenacity and your zest for life!

M.C. Reinhardt
Vancouver, WA, USA
"There are times when people will touch our lives just for a fleeting moment and yet their impact will last a lifetime. mc

Your Positive Feedback

Dena — Tue, 03/20/2007 - 21:23

Hi, MC,
I am enjoying reading your many comments on this sight, but especially thank you for your positive feedback on my Everest story. The inspiration and empowerment that I can give others is my reward for writing it. So, thanks so much and it's good to hear that now you're going to help out your friend who is raising $ for Fred Hutchinson. Just today I rcvd a call from a friend, telling me about a young mother (and pregnant) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. We must rely on research to stop this disease.

Please let me know when you finish your CD with "Song for the Soldier." The people here in Colorado Springs and the radio stations are so supportive of our troops. This would be a great place to market your music with a military theme.

I saw your recent posting about being awarded a climbing date for Mt. Whitney in June. If you do not have any takers for a climbing companion, please let me know--I may be interested, depending on some other commitments.
Again, can't tell you how much I appreciate your comments!
Dena

Dena - Whitney in June

Mary Clare Reinhardt — Wed, 03/21/2007 - 21:59

Hi Dena
Thank you for your kind message! Regarding "Song for the Soldier", I am planning to record this song within the next few months. When I have done so I will send you the mp3 file so you can have a listen. I would love to get your thoughts on my song.

I did receive my permit to climb Whitney for two people for June 9th and 10th. I feel lucky to have been selected as I only put in for these dates and it is a weekend. Currently, I have someone who has requested to hike with me. If your schedule allows you to join us, I would be thrilled! A close friend of mine also wants to go. I plan on calling to see if I can add one or two more people to my permit (should not be too hard to do.) Please keep me posted if you think you might like to come along. I would love to meet you and hike with you; if not Whitney, maybe another great mountain!
Sincerely, MC

Stay in Touch!

Dena — Fri, 03/23/2007 - 23:42

MC,
Yes, I would really like to listen to your recording.
Also, please stay in touch regarding Whitney--if you can put additional climbers on your permit, and the cost. With Whitney being even a possibility, I will stay more focused on my training! Thanks, MC!
Dena

Whitney permit

Mary Clare Reinhardt — Mon, 03/26/2007 - 23:10

Hi Dena
I called Inyo National Forest today and was told that after April 18th I can call again to find out if there are any available spots for the dates of June 9th and 10th. Most likely there will be. I will definitely call I.N.F. on the 18th and will post on this site to let you know. Please keep me posted also if you still want to "hike along". It would be fantastic to hike Mt. Whitney with you!
MC

Dena - Whitney in June

Mary Clare Reinhardt — Thu, 04/19/2007 - 22:01

Hi Dena
I called the Inyo Natl. Forest service today and there are no available dates for June 9th and 10th (the dates I will be on Whitney). It must be a popular weekend! There will most likely be cancellations but unfortunately one cannot find out until the day of. I hope we will be able to climb a mountain together one day...maybe with a group from this great web-site!
Thanks for your interest,
MC

Fantastic!

Visitor — Sun, 03/04/2007 - 02:21

Dear Dena, I knew when I first met you on our very first hike together, with phonebooks in your pack burdening your tiny but mighty self, I would admire and adore you and it did come true!! Your story is amazing. As a survivor myself am always so grateful for other survivors and witnessing the gifts they've given to the world since treatment and recovery. You are living the fullest of lives and my world, our world is enriched beyond measure because you live. You inspired me to find the courage to go up Kilimanjaro with Fred Hutchinson this year. Keep going Dena I can't wait to hear of your next remarkable adventure. Just stay away from those pesky crevasses because I won't be there to annoy you while the guides do their rescue magic!!
Dyani Bartlett,
Edmonds, WA, USA

Our Mountain Memories!

Dena — Tue, 03/20/2007 - 21:40

Hello, Dear Friend and thank you for your message!
YES! It will always be fun to reflect back on our first mountain adventures--like trying to think of something to giggle about to take our minds off our aching feet and backs. And later, discussing how--if I had not fallen through that ice bridge, it would have been you!
Now go climb that Great Mount Kilimanjaro, with peace of mind as you gaze out over the magnificent sunsets. I'll be waiting to hear all about your adventures on the mountain and through Serengeti.
Dena
PS And it would be fun to climb another mountain together someday--crevasses or no crevasses!

Amazing

Ann — Tue, 03/20/2007 - 00:19

Hi Dena, I recently posted in the forums about my journey with my husband Graham through his benign spinal tumor followed by benign brain tumor. You posted back a wonderful message and I thank you for that! I had to write to tell you how amazing you are. I can relate to many feelings you described,(even though it was not me who was sick, and it was not cancer), the need to read everything about the subject,(I read so much I diagnosed Graham with three possible types of tumor out of hundreds of pages of research), alternative methods of treatment,(visualization, oils, juicing, crystals, meditation), and so on... We are coming up on the 3 year mark of the removal of the last tumor and have an MRI tomorrow to check up on regrowth, fingers crossed.
Through all of this we have learned several things; to live each day together, to know what is important, to not sweat the small stuff, to truly appreciate the world we are lucky enough to be in! You are an example of all of these things and of how to take control of your medical care, the latter is sometimes hard for people to do. Thanks again and enjoy your travels!
Ann and Graham

Our Own Best Advocate

Dena — Tue, 03/20/2007 - 22:02

Yes, Ann, you and I both realized that we are our own best advocates!
As you described, we have to try to figure out some things ourselves! We did our own researcch, and were not fearful of trying something that might enhance the healing process. I am impresssed with your story because you exemplify the importance of working together (you and Graham) as a team--through the medical situation, your current training, and future aspirations.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for Graham tomorrow.
Thanks so much for your heartwarming comments.
Dena

All Is Well

Ann — Fri, 03/23/2007 - 22:39

Hi Dena, Thanks for your thoughts and we are excited to report NO REGROWTH!!! The tests showed nothing but a black hole where the pituitary once lived, and nothing else! So very good news and back to planning our small high altitude hikes in Colorado this July. Hopefully I can handle the heights and can keep on with the future plan to do Nepal! We are a united front!
Take care, Ann and Graham

Great news

Paul Adler — Fri, 03/23/2007 - 22:50

Hi Ann,
That is really fantastic news - made my day! Thanks for sharing it. Hopefully the pictures, words and sounds from people's treks in Nepal will inspire you both to get there one day.
Paul.

GRAHAM'S REPORT

Dena — Fri, 03/23/2007 - 23:51

Ann,
Know how happy and relieved you and Graham are to receive this great news. Now you can go forward with hiking plans in higher altitude. Since you are going to come to Colorado in July, consider a stop over near where I live--there are many smaller peaks just west of Colorado Springs and also Pike's Peak (a 14er).
So much natural beauty and trails are not crowded. Ask Paul for my email address and perhaps we could make plans to hook up.
Dena

How to contact someone on the site

Paul Adler — Sat, 03/24/2007 - 00:12

Just thought I would add a note here that you can easily contact anyone on the site by clicking on their username anywhere where it where it appears in blue (eg. above a message). You will be taken to a page where you can see a bit about that person (what they have chosen to put there) and you should see a "Contact" tab near the top of the page. You will only see this if you are logged in. Click on this and you can send an email to the person. The recipient's email address doesn't show up on the screen for privacy, but when you send them an email, they will see your real email address and from there its easy for them to reply to swap email addresses.

Try it and you'll see!
Paul.

PS. You can turn off the ability for someone to contact you in this fashion under your My account settings.

THANKS, PAUL!

Dena — Sat, 03/24/2007 - 01:16

Paul, you have thought of everything on this site! I'm still learning about how everything works, and you have made it user friendly. Thank you for the explanation. Looking fwd to using Google Earth when you are on the mountain.
Dena

Great news regarding Graham

Mary Clare Reinhardt — Sat, 03/24/2007 - 00:02

Hi Ann
Concurring with the above messages, wonderful news that the report is no re-growth! Hope Graham and you will make it to the Himalayans one day...I know I plan to. It will be a dream come true!
MC

Thanks Everyone!!

Ann — Sat, 03/24/2007 - 21:03

Hi to all of you and thanks so much for the cheerful notes about Graham, we really appreciate them! Dena I am getting excited about Colorado, and I believe we have looked at Pike's Peak as an option,(if I don't feel the altitude negatively). We will let you know what area we will be in and would love to meet you along the way!
Thanks Paul,Fiona,MC , Anik, and Dena!
Ann and Graham