Post by laughingpygmy on Feb 21, 2015 14:30:35 GMT
The best part of hosting pygmy island was the ability to meet many wonderful and truly interesting people. The people who apply for "Survivor" are people driven by a dream.. people who are usually "Type A" and usually don't like to hear the word "NO".
I have to say the one person who best represented that description was my friend Cindy Abbott. I first remember chatting with Cindy when she was applying for Survivor... and I was astounded by a picture that she had where she was sitting next to a Tiger, patting it.... I said to myself... "Wow, that is one brave woman". Little did I know.
I remember writing emails back and forth when my brother was diagnosed with colon cancer... Cindy was very supportive of his journey... this is when she let me know a little about her life Journey which was truly amazing...
Cindy told me that she was suffering from Wegener's Granulomatios... Yes, I had never heard of it, and she wanted that to change!
Definition
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Wegener's granulomatosis (VEG-eh-nerz gran-u-loe-muh-TOE-sis) is an uncommon disorder that causes inflammation of your blood vessels. This inflammation restricts blood flow to various organs.
Wegener's granulomatosis, which is also called granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), often affects your kidneys, lungs and upper respiratory tract. The restricted blood flow to these organs can damage them. Wegener's can affect other organs, but this isn't as common, and generally isn't as serious.
Wegener's granulomatosis also produces a type of inflammatory tissue known as a granuloma that's found around the blood vessels. Granulomas can destroy normal tissue. There is no known cause for Wegener's granulomatosis.
Early diagnosis and treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis may lead to a full recovery. Without treatment, Wegener's granulomatosis can be fatal, most commonly from kidney failure.
Cindy had explained that this disease had slowed her down... but she was pushing on regardless. She had lost the sight in one eye, and she was in a lot of pain... but she wanted to do Survivor!
Well, she hasn't yet been on Survivor... but she has taken up the torch to teach the world about Wegener's and all other rare diseases... She was on an Episode of "The Doctor's" ( I have been searching for it, I will post it when I find it) ... Then to increase awareness for all rare diseases she took on the task of climbing Mt. Everest!!! AND SHE DID IT!!!
Cindy details her journey of her life of being diagnosed to accomplishing the climbing of Mt. Everest in a book that she has written (very inspirational, I was amazed by her drive when I read it) called "Reaching beyond the Clouds"
Ok, so that was amazing enough... Right??? No, not for Cindy.. her next challenge (and she doesn't even get immunity for it) is the 2015 Iditarod. Yes that's right the Iditarod, the thousand mile dog sled challenge through the Moutains and Ice of Alaska!! you can read all about Cindy, her disease, her accomplishments and keep up to date with her Iditarod race (last update on 2/14/15 from Alaska) on her website... reachingbeyondtheclouds.com/
Cindy truly is a SURVIVOR... and I think if she were ever picked to play... she would find it "too easy". hahaahah
Good luck in Alaska Cindy... the pygmies are pulling for you!!!!
