The Curse of Giardia

August 13, 2024

Zero Day #2 (Leadville)

Our bed was so comfy last night and I slept great. I woke before Henry but cuddled down deeper into the covers and read my Kindle until he woke up too. I hadn't stood up yet but I felt good and planned to hike out today. As the morning wore on though I was exhausted just from showering and my diarrhea was back. We sat down and worked out a plan, finding an Airbnb in town (availability for lodging is dwindling as we get closer to the Leadville 100). We packed up and checked out of our hotel and walked down to Melanzana to get hoodies. If you're a Colorado Trail or CDT hiker you can shop without an appointment so we wanted to take advantage of it.

I felt so hot and sick. When I started sweating as we checked out I knew I needed to get serious. It was impossible to keep lying to myself. I had Giardia. Henry and I sat on a bench on Main Street for awhile, chatting with other hikers before walking down to see if we could check into our Airbnb early.

Once inside, I started searching for an urgent care (there were none) so I decided to take my chances calling around to some family practice offices. After 2 or 3 calls I finally got lucky with an appointment only an hour later. Henry and I walked to Family Dollar to get some resupply. I made it down two aisles before going outside and sitting on the sidewalk, I was too weak to stand and the nausea was unbearable. I texted Henry asking him to buy me some meds and fifteen minutes later he walked out with an older couple close behind. I was just getting ready to tell him that I don't think there's any way I could make it the 1 mile walk to the doctors when he said "Babe this couple said they would drive you to your appointment". Damn if the trail doesn't always provide.

I thanked them profusely, they were so kind and wished me well as they dropped me off out front of the office. I was 30 minutes early and prepared to just sit in the waiting room and sip my Gatorade but the doctor took me back early and hooked me up with antibiotics. She offered an IV for hydration but said it would more than likely cost hundreds of dollars and suggested I go to an IV lounge in Breck where I could get one cheaper.

I walked back to the Airbnb, the hot sun doing nothing to help my condition but I did feel more hopeful knowing I would at least soon have meds. Hambone and I headed down to Safeway to get some food and my script. Back at our house I took my meds, ate a chicken Cesar salad, stripped off my clothes and climbed in bed. It started pouring and the ceiling leaked, water dripping onto our dining room table. The whole room could have flooded and I wouldn't have left this bed.

I drank Pedialyte all afternoon and in the evening Henry went to pick me up grilled cheese and tomato soup and we watched a movie. It was obvious that I was going to need another day off tomorrow and the only place with availability was the hostel down the street called the Abbey. Thankfully they had a private room available. All evening I felt dehydrated and restless, I could not get comfortable and my legs ached so badly. I took an edible to relax and when it finally kicked in I was able to fall asleep.

Giardia Girl Dinner