Glad you are feeling better. There seem to be so many variables that go into play for a successful summit of Everest that it would be great for you not to have to worry about being ill. Hope that each day finds you feeling better and safe trekking back to EBC.

Pat, I only wish my daughter would go into nursing...She is planning on an education major with a math disapline and a minor in physical ed, but who knows, nursing would be much better, I will do my best, and I will contact your bro if I can't figure it out, Cathy

Pat, glad to hear that you're on the mend! The State paper covered sinus infections in today's paper, and I thought of you and all the cures that have been sent! They mentioned saline irrigations as did one other person on the blog. Hope you are able to get rid of the bug completely before heading back. Relaxing sounds like a great idea, especially with the view you have.

Here's a funny one for you: "The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Votaire
Sounds to me like you are amusing yourself and nature there hopefully will participate!
Happy healing
Sandra

pat. glad to hear you are on the mend.rest up well. ' regards [ken.nz]

Hey Pat
Glad you are resting as the R&R surely will help with the push to the summit. I also was thinking the more time spent at lower altititude (which is a bit funny to think 10,000-12,000 ft is lower altitude when for most of us that would be an adjustment) might un-acclimatize you - so I am glad you are heading back to base camp. Hopefully a bit rejuvenated from sleeping in a bed and the antibiotics, steam, pressure points and guaiafesnesin (if you can get it) - will help with the drainage and secretions and get you ready for the "big one".

Today I went to a friend's house for her daughter's high school graduation. Her daughter is a CNA and enrolled in a potential nursing program - but, her daughter told me tonight she doesn't know if she wants to be a nurse, because - from her observation is that all nurses do is paperwork! So now (needless to say) I am on a bandwagon to let her know how exciting nursing is and the clinical judgments that are involved are invigorating and, yes, we need to document things for continuity in care - but the profession of nursing is not just about paperwork. This is the second time I have heard this in a week. Nurses are not just secretaries taking dictation about the status quo (not that there is anything wrong with secretaries, but that is not what nursing is about)- we are shaping the full picture of what is happening from several different inputs. We are the ones that make it all come together and everything talk to each other. We are the GLUE (that is what Kendra used to call me) - it makes a difference to have a patient advocate who puts two and two together. So - I need some testimonies from other nurses so I can share them with my friend's daughter - Cari. Cari cared for her dad who died of cancer about 2 years ago. She went into CNA (Certified Nursing Aide) work so she could be hands-on with patients out of the passion for caring for her dad. I am afraid her vision of nursing is that we are not close at hand to the patients. But, I am passionate in believing - we are the ones that bridge the gap - no matter if we work in administration, academics, clinical educators, or in direct patient care.

I plan to tell her about your journey and your Summit scholarship. You may be an extreme example of passion for nursing - but there are many of us who really understand that nursing is something that is different than other professions (even though some of us hike the "lowlands"). There is so much opportunity; so many different pathways in nursing that can be pursued to make a difference in helping people pursue a pathway to wellness. Some of us have 6 to 10 years of education – so I have heard that “you may as well be an MD”. But nursing is different than the medical philosophy! It is its own profession and philosophy and it helps to balance the health care environment with a different take on patient advocacy. I plan to mobilize my colleagues at AORN HQ to share their stories about the many facets of nursing. I invite you and others on the blog to share your stories so I can (hopefully) influence Cari that nursing is about more than paperwork. She is going to Peru (Lima – but maybe also Machu Pichu) next month – so she is one that invites diversity in perspective. She is an 18 year old that would add total value to our profession. I challenge all who are on this blog to help me articulate why it is important to be a nurse. Why it is different. Why we all take pride in our RN status – no matter what work environment we have come to find.

Okay - with that said, I had fun with Kendra last night at her party and will tell her that you think 50 is the new 20. hmmm that would make 40 the new teenager. I am not sure that fits, but I will try to convince her she is sweet 16 again! When is your birthday - I think March or April? Are you an Aries (I am thinking that may be possible - but maybe Pisces?). Kendra is a true Taurus - very earthy and grounded.
Okay - I am rattling on again - but maybe that is okay since you are on "down time"
Thinking of you and having fond thoughts of Carol in California (even though there are a few fires going on in Calf - so some turbulence continues)
Take care
Bonnie

Hi Pat, greetings again from Lancaster, Pennsylvania USA

Sorry to hear of your sinus infection -- I can sympathize with you as they are a frequent occurrence for me as well. Although you getting one at this time in your Everest quest is a bad turn of luck. I'm praying the Augmentin will knock it out of you quickly and completely, and you'll get some good rest as a result -- sitting in the warm sun all day is a good start! The good news is, I hear from Paul the weather forecast is not good for summit bids anytime soon -- so.....physician, heal thyself! You have time. LOL!

That's cool you got to meet Dan Mazur. What he and his team did last year in rescuing Lincoln Hall was heroic and admirable -- although knowing what I've heard of Dan, if you told him that he'd probably shrug and say "What's the big deal, it was the right thing to do." Nevertheless, the man was an Everest legend before last year -- the legend simply grew greater. Remember, my co-worker Terry Schuck is climbing with Dan, taking his first crack at Everest as well. They seem to be on a very similar schedule to both you and Paul. If you run into them, ask where that "Amish chemist from Lancaster County" is -- that should get a laugh! And a prounciation lesson for you, so you say "Lancaster" like a local, not a tourist : we here pronounce it "LANK-iss-tur", not "lan-CAST-urr". Give that a go, you'll be thought of as a native in no time!

One more thing -- my wife and kids and I are all huge Nascar fans, so it is awesome to see that you may actually get to haul a Nascar flag to the top of the world! If it gets to you back in Base Camp in time, it will probably be in spite of the France family and their fumbling ways -- LOL! We are Jeff Gordon fans as well, I'd rather see a "24" flag in your summit photo instead of a generic Nascar flag. Jeff is dominating this year too, leading the points by over 200 right now. Night race at Darlington got rained out, they'll run it today on Mother's Day -- I'll let you know how our boy does!

Enough of my ramblin' on -- take good care and get yourself healed. Then get up that mountain and kick it's butt! Only ask permission first -- She's a fickle old girl. I'm sending prayers to our God on your behalf, for health and safety.

Cheers,
Mark R