WESTWARD HO? NO! A ROADRUNNER AND STEALTH R Ving

After four days of non-stop travel, John finally decided he had had enough.  We stopped at the RV park directly behind the Shell station at the I-10 and I-8 junction near Gila Bend, Arizona.  

John's legs were swelling, a danger sign for one who was in the hospital just over a year ago with congestive heart failure. This is how he spent most of our time there. He also walked in order to increase circulation in his legs.  It worked and he is better today.  

This RV park is an Escapees fifty percent off park, so we stayed for just over $13.00.  To put it mildly, we thought this was not going to be a pleasant experience.  But we were mildly surprised.  We had full hook-up, WIFI and very little noise from the interstate.  We slept very soundly, but John had maxed out his energy and I decided that a second night was needed.  

I did laundry, fixed some good vegan meals, walked dogs and just chilled.  It was a good rest.  

We had a visitor this morning.   He was running around just trying my patience.                                             I needed to use the telephoto setting to get these pictures.        But get them, I did!                                      He was on his way to  visit another unique  RV.    At least I think one could call it an RV.  It actually was a fifty-six foot trailer pulled by a huge tractor!  

This trailer has a fold down "deck".  They climb a set of stairs to get to the deck and enter from a double sliding glass patio door!  There is also a garage door in the back for their un-toad. Even with the car in the rear, just think of the room and storage they have inside!  I keep wondering if it had a split level inside since the trailer is so tall.  

The paint was stealth black.  It had no decorative "swooshes" on the sides.  What I would have given to been able to see inside. The license plates indicated North Dakota. Have any of you seen it? 

This morning, we  made the short run from Gila Bend to Quartzsite and all is well.  Well, kind of.  

OK you master-mechanics, we have a problem.  The inverter is not working properly.  There seems to be a loose wire someplace in the inverter.  John wiggles the wires and sometimes the it starts working, sometimes not.  

Tomorrow, Monday, we head into Quartzsite to find someone (any suggestions?) to look at the wiring and fix it.  This puts a damper on boondocking since we need electricity for the refrigerator.  

That is all of our exciting day of full time travel.  Some days are great, some......well......are a challenge.  

Thank you for joining us today and again, thank you so much for shopping Amazon through the link at the top, right of the page.  

God bless you in your travels...

THAT DARNED ELEPHANT.....ONCE AGAIN,IT IS TIME TO EAT AWAY

Dr. Lykens was able to make a diagnosis today.  They were trying to decide between more lung problems and atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure.

AND THE WINNER IS...
             CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE CAUSED BY THE A  FIB

That sounds bad at first.  At least until the diagnosis is made and the treatment is centered upon one illness to treat.  Actually both are linked and the old saying "which comes first, the chicken or the egg?"

This time the extreme fatigue from moving into our new motorhome is the culprit.  In simple terms, he just, plain overdid it.  

The fatigue, catching a cold, the Atrial Fib, his COPD and his unwillingness to just totally cease all activity and rest taxed his body beyond what is reasonable.  

He began to retain water, he was always tired and felt weak, the end of last week, he was unable to sleep because he could not get his breath. He would wake at five or five thirty in the morning.  I would rouse in the dark to see him sitting on the side of the bed.  His head would be hanging. Keep in mind, this man loves to sleep and would gladly sleep till nine any morning.  

We would come to the dining area and he would be so tired that he would put his elbows on the table, hold his head in his hands and nod off.  This would last for two or three hours.  

I am telling you in order that someone will read this and keep it in their memory bank.  It might happen to  you or a loved one sometime in the future.  Congestive Heart Failure is a sneaky menace.  

BUT THE PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS OF OUR READERS, FAMILY AND DEAR FRIENDS HAVE BLESSED US ONCE AGAIN.  Thank you...each and every one of you.  

John is making progress much faster than in the Spring.  He is working hard to follow all instructions to the tee.  Learning to breathe in deeply through the nose and out through his lips is difficult to remember.  If he does this, he is able to keep his oxygen levels in the nineties.

Using the tried and true breathing exercise was hard at first.  Now, he makes that ball do the happy dance!  Aren't those yellow socks cute?

Finding plant based food and eating on a diabetic plan has been a stretch of the imagination.  He combs the menu for hours deciding what will work for both eating programs.  It is much easier here at home.  

He has made both plans work together.  He is my hero!  

I never hear a complaint from him.  He amazes me and the entire medical staff with his quiet humor.  

Indiana University Hospital is a teaching hospital.  The physicians that are produced by this program are among the nation's finest.  And eighty percent of Indiana's top Doctors work at the medical complex of Indiana University.

The two on the right are Residents.  On the left you see a pharmacist.  These pharmacists travel on rounds to help with the dosages, spot drug interactions, make recommendations.  Every Pharmacist has a "Pharm D"... a doctorate in pharmacy.  

This afternoon, Dr. Lykens, came to check John's progress, give us tons of information and to allow us to ask questions.  He was in no hurry to leave and answered every question and asked us if we needed more information.  Then he pronounced John improved enough to leave the Progressive Care Unit and go into a "regular," (my works, not his) room. 
The best news was and is that Johns congestive heart failure is not permanent.  

 Do you think John is eager to move?  His bags are packed and he is "ready to rumble!"  Where is that nurse with that wheel chair????

Ahhh here she is, going through her check list.  This young woman  is an excellent nurse!  I am so thankful that she was the one to care for John today. 

Some nurses just seem to go through the motions.  This lovely lady was so efficient and caring.  When she told us that she was her first nursing position and started just one month ago, we were astounded with her presence and skills.

When the director of nursing checked with us to see if we were happy with the care John received, we were sure to heap praises on this angel of God. 

Dr. Lykens was so encouraging.  CHF - Congestive Heart Failure does not have to be a permanent diagnosis.  For John, this is temporary.  We WILL need to be  cognisant of any signs or symptoms.

If all goes well, John should be out of the hospital by the first of next week.  We should be able to travel in about two weeks after a follow up visit with Dr. Lykens.  

There are a few new rules.  John can drive a maximum of two hours, if his feet do not swell.  If swelling occurs or the two hours are up, I take over the driving and John gets to sit in the co-pilot's chair, a recliner, and tell me how to drive.  Oh happy day.

I do not know how much rock climbing and rock hounding we will be doing.  I want this to be a winter of recovery and strengthening.  We have the rest of our lives to do the more active interests.

Thanks for visiting. Thanks again for your support.  You all are a wonderful group of people.  We are blessed.  

For you new visitors, on the regulars too.  Feel free to leave comments, ask questions etc.

God Bless and have a great Thanksgiving.  "Count your blessing, one by one....count your blessings, see what God has done..."