Cancer patients help inspire renowned doctor to climb mountain
Dr. Richard Deming is used to taking care of everyone else. But recently, he needed the help of some of his former patients in order to complete the trip of a lifetime.
Deming was supposed to lead a group of cancer survivors on a 103-mile trek up Mount Kailash, one of the most sacred mountains in Tibet.
But a bicycle accident in July left him with a concussion, punctured lung and 10 broken ribs.
"I was definitely feeling some issues related to my accident, and wasn't sure if I would be able to complete the journey," Deming said.
Less than two months after his accident, Deming did complete the journey, spending nine days making the trip up the mountain while still in a sling.
Deming said the encouragement he received from his cancer patients helped him get through.
"That's what these journeys and that's what life is about," Deming said. "You can't always be the strong person helping everyone all the time. The tables get turned, and it was a great opportunity for me to graciously accept the help of others."