大象传媒

Xtreme Exhaustion

• Hugh
• 9 Sep 06, 10:33 AM

Saturday morning- and exercise testing continues. Fortunately, this mornings test was gentler for me than that of yesterday....
Yesterday started well: I awoke due to be turned into a cyborg, with arterial line inserted for cardiac output monitoring, nasogastric tube (a tube through the nose into the stomach) to monitor oxygen supply to the gut), pads to muscle to monitor its oxygenation,ánd to skull to monitor that to the brain. However, after fasting from midnight, it turned out that the company had packed the wrong lead for the cardiac output measures! With testing deferred, I went for a walk with Mark Wilso, heading east across the glacial valley, wading through (very cold!) glacial streams and rivers to reach an abandoned village. From there, up an escarpment, and a walk along a ridge some 300m above us (at about 5280m). A wealth of delicate small flowers to be seen, as well as some wildlife- a giant colourful catepiller, and two of the biggest hares we have ever clapped eyes on.

Four hours later, and back at camp- now with no food eaten for 18 hours, and no tea of coffee. Finally, we get going at about 15.00hrs, and I put the tube into my stomach. Electrodes attached, onto the bike.. and we are off! The first bit is easy- peddling for 10 minutes at a rate at which I am 'aerobic'. But then the nasty bit- 10 minutes flat out well above anaerobic threshold. The results are spectacular, with muscle oxygen levels plummetting. More noticeable is the fall in BRAIN oxygen- not only on the machines, but clinically. I climb from the bike unsteady, nauseated, and a wealth of interesting symptoms. However, four hours later, and I'm up to a giant meal and cards until late. Even so, this is not an experience I shall ever repeat, and we have adjusted the protocols appropriately!
Anyway. Time to log off. I seem to have hung some washing out just as another storm comes in.....