Sometimes you gotta climb that hill, even if you don’t want to

When I was diagnosed, I was very compliant with my doctors and nurses. Whatever test they wanted, I’d cooperate. Whatever hurdle they wanted me to jump over, I would jump. I always had questions though, I find an inquisitive mind helps with coping.

That’s not to say I enjoyed each experience but what I knew it was required to move onwards to the next step – everything was on the critical path. In particular, the liver biopsy was a challenge but totally necessary to get to the diagnosis which would then dictate treatment and prognosis. Surgery for Stage IV small intestine NET is tough – it’s not normal bowel surgery! Due to post-surgical complications arising while in hospital, I had an extra week to ‘endure’. Again, there was no option, no alternative route, this was necessary to get back to normality, or to be accurate, my new normal. I had to climb these ‘hills’, it was the only route and no matter how tough it was, I had to make it to the top, I had to endure to survive and get well.

Fast forward 14 years and I still endure the challenge of a hill but for totally different purposes. During a recent trip to the Peak District in Derbyshire, I decided on a circular walk of around 9 miles featuring two peaks with a scenic ridge. The ridge in between the two peaks is a walker’s delight known as the Great Ridge looking down at two beautiful valleys called Hope Valley and the Vale of Edale. However, it included a few ups and downs along the ridge to get to Mam Tor at 517m (approximately 1700ft), spookily the same figure for the total ascent (climb) of the whole hike.

As the lead navigator, I decided to do the walk counter clockwise by starting the climb up the smallest of the two peaks at 476m (1562ft) – called Lose Hill. That comprised the bulk of the climb and it was one of the toughest physical challenges Chris and I have done to date (several false peaks). I wanted to pack it in a few times or at least take an alternative route to reduce the challenge it was presenting. However, alternative routes are not always shorter! Plus, Chris and I really wanted to see the view up top, and walk the ridge to Mam Tor rather than take the easier option.

We stuck it out – spoiler alert, it was worth it!

Sometimes you gotta climb that hill even if you don’t want to. It’s a metaphor.

For more walking challenges and other adventures outdoors, please ensure you follow this blog plus my Facebook page Ronny Allan.

If you click on each picture, you can enjoy a pictorial with captions view of each adventure.

Sometimes, you gotta climb that hill, even if it hurts

Sometimes you gotta climb that hill …….. twice!

Sometimes you gotta climb that hill, even if you get wet!

Sometimes I have to climb hills for the mental challenge

Disclaimer

I am not a doctor or any form of medical professional, practitioner or counsellor. None of the information on my website, or linked to my website(s), or conveyed by me on any social media or presentation, should be interpreted as medical advice given or advised by me.

Neither should any post or comment made by a follower or member of my private group be assumed to be medical advice, even if that person is a healthcare professional.

Please also note that mention of a clinical service, trial/study or therapy does not constitute an endorsement of that service, trial/study or therapy by Ronny Allan, the information is provided for education and awareness purposes and/or related to Ronny Allan’s own patient experience. This element of the disclaimer includes any complementary medicine, non-prescription over the counter drugs and supplements such as vitamins and minerals.