So far and no more for now…

27 November 2018

Pilgrimages always hold the unexpected. We knew that on our first day with a change of route due to high river levels. Day 2, 5Okm down and we were in for a much bigger surprise. After a great day in which I was feeling fit and in relatively good shape, over I went in a dizzy spell and collapse. The initial assessment was of an electrical malfunction in the heart because I had no heart damage and no indicators of actually having had a heart attack (cardiac enzymes released by damaged muscles). I had some ECG waves associated with another condition that may still be underlying and need to be addressed. The main outcome of yesterday’s investigations is that what I experienced was at least in part due to some underlying blockages which no one, nursing staff, doctors or me expected to find. I will need major surgery. That fact that I have an undamaged heart after Saturday is entirely due to the intensity, quality and regularity of the CPR I received for a significant period. The staff here are quite amazed and a little in awe of my CPR team. So thanks again, Anthea, Andrew, Bruce, Merran, Grant, and all others who had a hand in keeping me here.  To have 2 ambulance teams and fire brigade arrive in under 10 minutes to a remote setting was nothing short of remarkable. They also provided CPR and successful defibrillation. Our sincere thanks to them for their diligent work in our community and their expertise and care to us when we needed it.

I am conscious that Merran and I are now beginning quite a different journey than the one we planned. Many of the same challenges will apply in new and different ways.

We will place Island Traverse on a long hold while another pilgrimage unfolds in its place.

Thanks for journeying with us. With God’s help, we will be back.

Tim and Merran