Like a good book sometimes you have to peak at the ending before reading all of the other chapters.  I think more has happened in the past 24 hours (especially emotionally) than the first 5 days put together.

As I write this it's still brings up some very raw emotion.

We trekked across Africa...with beautiful weather and the African sun beating down on us we arrived at camp 4.  Fall Summit.  We all felt so good, I even had a burst of energy at 15,500 feet ran a few meters (mainly to the bathroom) but hey I still gave running a shot. We did an acclimation hike up to 16,030 and all of us were literally on top of the world.  So excited for what was to come. 

We had dinner and at the risk of giving too much of the middle of our story away, the dinners were out of this world.  I have a lot to learn from these African tent cookers!

Evening approached and we were to sleep from 6 pm to 11 pm then start out on our journey to the summit at midnight.  Well this is where my story takes a bit of a turn.  As 10 pm approached so did body aches,fever and all of the bodily functions that went with that.  I tried to stand up but as I was about to faint I was happy to land safely on the ground, gripping a rock despite the freezing cold.  If this wasn't enough, a little clip from 'The Bridesmaids' rang true as I found the nearest rock for my bodies next 'response' to whatever was going on.
I made it back to the tent shivering desperately trying to warm up.  The guides were so wonderful bringing me hot water bottles to warm my sleeping bag and checking in every few minutes.  As midnight came, the team leaders checked in on me.  Bob, knowing I was not well enough to even answer
at that point told him he couldn't leave me and that the team would have to start without us.  Now most people who know both of us know Bob is about
the journey but I am about the destination.  I wanted Bob to go, for him to have this experience...and as I sat there and cried he said "I came on this to have a journey with you, I am not about to leave you now".  I still sit here in awww, tears streaming down my face that this is my husband.  That this was
his idea and passion to come to Africa and now he is choosing to stay with me. 

The guides informed us to rest and try to sleep till 4 am and we could try to head out for the summit at that point.  I tried to sleep, labored to get comfortable, with the fever coming and going and stomach pains persisiting I went through the most emotion I have ever had in a 4 hour time period.  Crying that all we had hiked and worked for would not happen.  Claustrophobic that the tent was getting smaller and smaller.  Overwhelmed at the love
my husband had just expressed.  Anxious to get home and see my family.  Dreading the long road ahead to get back to our lodge. 
At 4 am the guides came in and at that point the decision was made.  I couldn't stand without getting faint and I needed to take more medication to stop
 my bodily functions from dehydrating me.  I was so thankful they moved the little portable toilet into our tent...sorry TMI but the 20 feet to the toilet tent
was even too much at that point.

After the final decision was made, we were instructed that we would rise at 7 am and head for the camp that the rest of
 team would later meet us at...I felt peace.  I could finally sleep knowing what road we would be taking in the morning.  Still saddened that the summit of 19,341 feet wouldn't be our story,  I am now able to deal with reality of what is.  That our summit was 16,030 and the view
was still specactular.  Above the clouds and on top of the world. 

Pastor Dan said it best as we were walking back on our short 12 mile hike to the main gate today.  Regret is your friend.  Without regret you wouldn't care about the outcome. Regret will remind you of what you were striving for.

Life has a way of teaching you little lessons, even on a big mountain.  God is constantly working on me, ridding me of worries in my life and the night of
summit was no different.  The constant nagging in my head 'what will others think' had to go by the wayside as Bob and I made the decision of what was best for me. I think I will be emotional about my summit for quite sometime...Trying not to live in regret but in thankfulness that Bob and I were able
to do this journey together despite not reaching the expected destination.

I am so proud of our team.  Dan & Audrey...planning this trip, leading the group and never giving up.  Always inspiring and moving forward.  Dominique for making us laugh and his spirit for all things local.   Pat, quiet yet determined and had his own way of encouraging others.  Tom, driven & passionate, and was going to make it no matter what.  Heidi, pushing her body beyond what she thought it could do and keeping those porters humble. Uncle Dan (70 years old, and as the African guides called him Babu 'grandfather') taking 20 steps then stopping to breathe,  truly one AMAZING man.

The past 7 days is beyond words, although I just wrote a lot of them.  Team comradery, laughter, competition (mainly in the game of dice), and encouragement.
WOW Africa is incredible! More photos to come :)