Epic Voyage

Ok well not really an epic voyage but today was our day to hike Sprout's mountain. When I was 24 weeks preggo with Bean (aka Ella) Derrick and I and about 8 other people took a weekend and backpacked up Mt Katahdin. Katahdin is the highest mountain in ME and is a 5,280 foot climb to the top. It is an absolutely outstanding hike and the views at the top are spectacular. I could never even begin to describe them with words. On that trip D and I decided that for every child we had we would do a pregnancy hike up. However, this summer is so so so stinking busy that we do not have any weekends free until September 24th and well that is too late to do a hike that big. So on to plan B, Sprout is going to get its very own mountain.

After much talk we picked Chocorua which although is not as tall as Katahdin, nor known to be as difficult, it still offers amazing views and is a slight challenge. After all Sprout has also run a 10k with me so things are pretty even.

So after making a quick Ella drop this morning we were off! And we were super excited. It has been awhile since it has been just the two of us and we just got to chat without any interruptions!!!



During the drive up we could see the clouds and fog burning off and knew it was going to be a fantastic day to be at the top. The sneak peaks we got from RT 16 just confirmed we made the right choice. Sprout was going to love this mountain!



We got to the trail head just passed 8am, hit the potty and started the 4.5 mile climb. About 1.5 miles in a stepped off the trail right into a ground hornet nest. The stings at first shocked me, I had no idea what was happening but as soon as I figured it out I ran as fast as I could. I managed to get out with only 7 stings. They HURT the pain intensified with every single step but I was determined to finish. D however would not let me. He insisted that we head down and finish the hike another day. By the time I got to the car I could not bend my left knee.



I was fine for about 20 minutes and then the itching started, I was having trouble swallowing and I was just plain uncomfortable. Tini fortunately comes equipped with a GPS and finding a Rite Aid was pretty easy. By the time I got there however, the hives were getting ridiculous. D took one look at my fact and decided to use Tini to find a hospital as well.



As luck would have it there was one not ever 20 minutes away. When I walked in I told the lady I didn't know if they had to admit me since I could breath still but she took one look at my back (which by the way only my legs were stung) and skipped me passed all the paperwork and bells straight into a treatment room where I was immediately surrounded by nurses and doctors. An epi shot was given ummm OUCH! An IV was started and the meds were pumped in. I started feeling much much much MUCH better and after a few hours of observation I was allowed to go home. Since things looked so much better. I guess I handled treatment well!



So the rest of the day I spent laying on the couch in pain with my legs still stinging and feeling less then with it. The hike is postponed until Thursday (if D can get the time off from work) and I know I now need to carry my epi pen with me on all outdoor adventures! By the way did I mention this happens to be Sprouts SECOND emergency room visit, oh boy am I going to have my hands full. (By the way its another blog topic but I do think Sprout is a boy and this is a sign of how many times I will be bringing him in!)

The day really couldn't have turned out any worse but it really ended up being such a good day. When Ella turned to me at dinner and said "I have the best family! I love you guys" Really that one little comment from my sweet little girl would have gotten me through 100 stings (although I am very very thankful it was only 7!)


2 comments:

Kelly said...

Those ground hornet nests are the worst! I have some in my backyard by my clothes line and let's just say I don't hang out clothes anymore. That stinks that you're allergic. I'm glad you made it through OK!

Lauren said...

Youch! That Sprout is a troublemaker already! ;) I am so totally sure he is a boy - I even picked up some boy clothes for you to get when you pick up the swing and co-sleeper. Hope to see you soon!

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