Today we’re relaxing at Namche Bazaar. We lost some time due to weather. Planes can’t fly into Lukla Airport unless the weather is absolutely perfect. But we have to be prepared for that. So, we got split up into groups. Our group wound up hiking 13 miles. Two days of trekking in one day. Looking back on the last year of training for this, I’ve realized that no matter the training regimen, it’s the altitude that gets you. I’ve been pushing myself to the limit on day one. Let’s see what happens on the following days.

I’ve always wanted to come to this part of the world. There’s a sense of peace. The people are welcoming and friendly.This is exactly the welcoming feeling I got from my doctors and nurses when I was first diagnosed. As a patient, that’s what you need. A calming explanation of what you may face on this journey. I had a relatively easy journey on my way to complete remission. I’m hoping this trek will be as easy as my multiple myeloma “trek” has been. But I’m not betting on it. And I’m not taking my remission for granted.

I’m grateful to the MMRF for putting the funds this team has raised via this Everest Base Camp trek (fast approaching $400,000!) to work in the clinic to develop new treatments for all myeloma patients.