Sadly, plans change!

Well, this week didn't go as planned. I had hoped to drive to Drumheller on my way to Yellowstone, USA to visit a friend. I had the car packed, map out and my passport ready (after I went back for it... luckily, I was only 15 minutes away when I remembered). And then I started driving alone... and kept driving all alone... and finally arrived in Drumheller alone and feeling horrible.

The 4.5 hour drive taught me a lot about myself. I do not cope well in a car alone for long periods of time. I am not able to cover long distances driving non-stop (or even with a few breaks). I have not been paying attention to my health this year and am suffering.

A few years ago, I was diagnosed with anemia... and I had it bad. My ferratin levels dropped to dangerous levels and I was taking multiple iron supplements daily, trying to get my iron stores back up. If anyone has suffered from anemia, they know the effect it can take on your body and your life. For me, I get extremely exhausted, physically unable to be active, irritable and my mind just isn't as sharp. Last time, it took me 6-7 months to get my levels back to a reasonable level by my standards (lower than most people - I will always have lower levels). I thought everything was going well so I relaxed with the iron supplements and iron-rich diet. Then before I left for Europe, I had my blood checked. The day I left, I found out that my levels were dangerously low again. So as I was driving to the airport, I had to stop to get some iron supplements. Surprisingly, I was able to do quite a bit during my travels (not to say that I didn't suffer after pushing myself too hard sometimes!). Unfortunately, travelling is not the best time to attempt to increase iron levels. Plus, sometimes I kind of forgot that I have anemia.

So, this week my body decided to remind me. To get back to my story, the drive to Drumheller was not kind. I had a raging headache by the time I arrived and by late evening, my vision was blurring and I was so exhausted I couldn't function. It was then that I realized I couldn't go any further. I still had two days of driving to get to Yelloewstone. The drive home would have been another three days! The long drive for some reason messed with my system and I realized I need to be home and try to start the recovery process before I leave for Australia.

It was a difficult decision to make as I was really looking forward to spending time with Emmy in Yellowstone and family and friends in Calgary on my way home. But my health is important and I knew I needed to get home. I have a doctor's appointment booked for tomorrow and I have a strong feeling that she will tell me my iron levels are low... again.

Luckily, I made it home and there were no major problems (gosh, it would have been horrible to have blurry vision while driving!). I drove for 7 hours today and that was enough. Again, the headaches are back but this time, I am home where there is Advil!

But the trip wasn't all bad. I stayed in Drumheller the two nights I had planned which gave me time to tour around. I climbed a giant T-Rex tower for views over the city, drove out to the Hoodoos (eroded rock formations - very cool!), the Royal Tyrell Museum (one of the best Dinosaur museums in the world), the Little Church (slightly taller than me, and remember, I am short!) and then I remembered about an RV camp that had a Dinosaur Soup pot that me and my siblings climbed into when we were kids. I remembered exactly where it was and went out for another photo-op. The rest of my time was spent chilling in my cute, tiny campground, planning my Australia trip.

On the way home today, I decided to take a detour and drive to Vulcan, Alberta. If you have seen the movie "Trekkies", you would have heard about it. This town is Star Trek crazy! Now, I have never seen Star Trek but I thought, why not go and check it out. And to be honest, I was kind of disappointed, though I did purchase some Vulcan ears! Then it was the long drive home.

Plans change, and I guess you just have to adjust. Maybe I don't need to go too crazy with my Australia plans, right? Or maybe I have to have something planned so I can accomplish everything I want to. It's tough to find that balance. Here's hoping I can do it again.