Around the end of September, I came down with a nasty throat infection that was confirmed to be Glandular Fever/Mono after a blood test. The doctor told me that by age 35 most New Zealanders have had Mono without even realising it because of a lack of symptoms. Apparently, it only gets you if you are a bit run down already (lucky me!).
This has meant two months of forced slowing down, more sleeping, not going out, university extensions, boredom, and uncertainty about how long I would feel tired. At first, I needed a nap after walking around the block. Having a legitimate reason for exhaustion and staying in bed has been nice. However, it has also been very frustrating for someone naturally impatient, always exercising or going out, and whose friends are off climbing, skiing, and mountaineering. At the same time, the illness made me realise again how privileged I am to have been on so many adventures.
Slowly I have been improving. Just last weekend I managed a tramp with my Mum and my Uncle. We stretched an overnight tramp into Lake Angelus Hut into three nights in the bush. I was incredibly nervous and unsure how my body would react. I knew I would either come home thinking that was a terrible idea that set me back a month or elated at my progress…
Fortunately, it was the latter! I am stoked to have not regressed in terms of fatigue levels and very excited for future easy-level tramping over the summer until I am back to the normal level of insanity! I am so grateful for my body and the places it has taken me. I am so appreciative for the restoring power of the New Zealand bush and the mountain tops. I came back feeling refreshed, happier and a bit more like myself again. Hallelujah!
