Date: 2005-07-09
From: Palmerton, Pa.

To: Bethlehem, Pa., Hospital
Miles today: 0.0

Started @ PalmertonDestination: Bethlehem, PaMiles today: 0Total Miles 1242.8Stayed in hospitalDay 120Today was a bad day. I was up at 6 and ready to go across the street to eat breakfast with Chuckles, Gotta Go, and Mr. Clean Jr. shortly thereafter. After returning to the hostel for our packs our ride to the trail arrived and I got into the back of the pick-up truck. The next thing I remembered was that I was being told I was being taken to the hospital in a helicopter and then I remembered being in the helicopter and the nurse starting an IV. I was still a little fuzzy and don't remember everything that happened between that time and later after I had been taken to a room in the ER. Mr. Clean Jr. rode with the ambulance back to the hospital which I am grateful for because he could tell them what happened to me up there. I certainly did not remember. Apparently I walked up the mountain which was steep and rocky. Once on top I told Circuit Rider and Sherlock, who had come up behind me, that I was dizzy. I also told them that my husband was hiking with me but I did not know where he was. Guideless and Spitfire were there at some point, also, and Guideless talked with me for a long time, according to Mr. Clean, Jr. She knew Toto was not with me but was to meet up with me later. Mr. Clean, Jr. said someone had gone ahead on the trail to get him and he came back to where I was. He said I knew I was on the AT but just thought Toto was with me. I don't know if I was acting strange in any other way. Apparently my speech was not slurred and I was moving all limbs without difficulty. They had me sit down and drink water and I can only imagine what it must have been like for them. I don't know if I accepted what they told me when they told me Toto was not with me but was meeting up with me in a few days. I do not think I was totally aware of everything going on until I had been in the ER for a little while. By the time Mr. Clean, Jr. got there I was clear and knew what was going on but could not remember anything from sometime on the ride to the trailhead until the time I was put in the helicopter. Once I realized what had happened I was upset and cried and then ended up with a headache. I tried not to cry but could not keep the tears away. I had a CAT scan of my head which apparently showed nothing so an MRI is planned. The cardiologist says the EKG looks OK and does not think the incident is heart related. So I am in this hospital bed, very tired from all the activity and waiting in the ER. I am hoping I can leave here tomorrow. I called Toto from the ER to talk to him before the Dr. talked to him. I think the ER Dr. either thought I could not remember all the answers to his questions or that I was not telling him everything. Needless to say, Toto is very concerned and wants to be here. But he needs to go to work his last day so that the paperwork does not get messed up by him missing a day for any reason.Mr. Clean, Jr. got a ride to Wind Gap with someone that works here. I hope his hiking has not been too messed up by staying with me today. He is a very caring man. Most of the people out here on the trail are!At least I have a comfortable bed tonight. Is it really this comfortable or does it just seem that way after sleeping on hard surfaces in shelters, tents, and not so comfortable mattresses in hostels?Addendum: I did not claim any miles today, although I guess I walked a mile, at least. But I have to get to the top to finish the hike across the mountain and I have to climb back up it to get to where I stopped, wherever that was.   P.S. This is Toto! I will be on my way today 7-11-2005 to see Dorothy! She is still in the hospital for more testing (MRI and EEG), but so far the doctors see nothing wrong. One doctor said that Benyldryl may attribute to something like this and Dorothy said she did take Benyldryl the night before but could not remember whether she took one or two. Anyway the doctor said if nothing shows up and as long as I am with her he would allow her to get back on the trail. The chance of this reoccurring is very slim. They call it ¢Transient Global Amnesia¢. So keep your fingers crossed. My thanks to all those who helped Dorothy!! Mr. Clean Jr., a special thanks for going to the hospital with her! The ¢Trail Family¢ sure is special!God Bless!Toto