Welcome to my newest follower, trustnoone1018. I did not see a site for you, but if you have one, please let me know, and I will share it with my readers. Welcome aboard and I hope you enjoy the ride.
I went back to the Heart Doctor yesterday and found out what is wrong with me. I have a leak in my Mitral valve and I also have Atrial-Fib. He immediately put me on Coumadin. So, this blood thinner requires that for the first few weeks you have blood tests ever so often. I think he said at least once a week. After a while they will get me regulated on this med., but I will still have to have a blood test once a month. We could do this on the road, but if something would be wrong, I would have to hurry and get back to my Doctor, so, this is our dilemma. He has also put me on Sotalol, 80mg twice a day to help regulate my mitral valve and my a-fib. We are hoping this will do the trick, but are not sure yet.
Another problem with my health has cropped up also. I don’t know if I have mentioned it before, but I have Glaucoma. I went to see the Optometrist, at my daughter’s urging. I had developed a really bad floater in my right eye, and it basically left me blind in one eye. The Doctor did several tests, and discovered that my pressure was way over the top. So, I have lost part of the sight in my right eye. A tear in my retina was also mentioned. Also my cataracts on both eyes have gotten much worse. I have to go back next Tuesday for another check up. He put me on stronger drops and wants to see if it is working and he is also going to do a scan of my optic nerve the same day. I also had to get new glasses, and the Doctor hinted that he wouldn’t be pulling a 38’ 5th wheel with my eye sight.
This is where we are today. Trying to decide if we give up living full time, and get a house or someplace to live, or do we ride out the storm here at my daughter’s house and decide later. My nerves are screaming out, “make up your mind”, but my heart is saying, “ I don’t want to quit”. I must confess, I would be under a lot less stress if I were here with my own Doctors’, and family. We did a lot of traveling before without the RV. We could still go places and do things, but just not in the RV.
There is one more very large problem I have. The eye Doctor wants me to limit my time on the computer to just a couple hours a day. Preferably an hour in the morning and one later in the day. This is a real bummer… I love computer games.
I know that everyone out there has an opinion, and I would love it if I could hear them all. Help me decide what I need to do. Please… :(
24 comments:
WOW, Getting all that news at once would be very nerve raking. We hope that your meds start working real soon and your feeling better even faster. Everything happens for a reason and we have to do what we have to do. Everything will work out.
Travel Safe
Dawn and Denise
oh my Pidge..that is quite the dilemma you have..I know you will make the right decision..your health is the most important thing!..take care of yourself and all the other deciding factors will happen when the time is right.
You have a very hard decision to make. My thoughts will be with you. I hope everything will work out for you. Medication can do wonders.
You got a full dose of news at once, I think I would stay awhile until you are stabilized and then let your heart make the decision.I know we are waiting now and everyday that goes by makes me worry something else, will delay us, Donna has a heart malfunction also is taking medicine so if she has to limit driving so be it. Hope you have great improvement and good news soon. Sam & Donna.
Oh my, that's a lot of news at one time. You have to do what ever is best for you. You have to put yourself first and be happy.....
I have been wondering what you found out. I too had a leak in one of my valves but not my mitral valve. The doc wasn't concerned about the leakage, saying most people have leaky valves & it wasn't significant. The atrial fib -- it took a bit to get the meds regulated. Is coumadin something you will have to be on forever? My bro also has atrial fib and was put on coumadin, but once they got his meds regulated, he came off the coumadin. I was told to take 325 mgms of aspirin a day in addition to my meds. My husb also has glaucoma and we know at some point it may affect our travel. I hear a lot of folks who have cataracts removed -- is that a possibility for you? Do you actually drive your truck & pull the 5th wheel?
It definitely is a lot to think about...whatever decision you make will be the right one for you. Take care & God bless.
Take your time and follow your heart. We wish you the best in getting it all sorted.
We like having you in our RV family and you are there to stay no matter what. If you want to live then yes you need to stay put - with all your knowledge you can still help us newbies on the road and well I am sure any one of your readers would make time to stop and visit you. You would have to change your dreams a bit but it can be done. Or you deal with the punches and get back out there and make ways and put a doctor in 4 corners so you always have a doc in sight no matter where you go (I know easier said then done).
We had a camphost that worked for my husband last here when he was the CLM boss with the same heart problems - and it was scary for the season. But we found out she back at the same job this year. My husband left the company (our deal is 2 years and we move on)... We will learn from this because we may hit the same pavement as you are right now and so we thank you for educating us on the facts of life to an RVer's life...
Hugs
Evielynne
Get a big monitor for your computer so you don't have to squint at it so much. I'm using a 22 inch here at the house. As far a quiting RVing, give it some time and the right answer will come. You don't have to have a exact answer right away.
I guess if I found myself in this quandary, I hope I would have the common sense to look after my health issues first as that's the only important and essential thing. Without that the question of fulltiming or not becomes moot.
Pidge, I am praying for you. You will make the decisions that are right for you. Right now, concentrate on your health. I, too, am on Coumadin. I have to be on it the rest of my life because I have an artifical heart valve. I have to get it checked monthly or more. The way that the professionals monitor it is to have me take more or less of the pills depending on the results of the INR (ProTime) test. It's a pain to have the lab work done on the road, but not impossible.
I'm hoping and praying that your eye problems can be solved.
Stay put for awhile...don't make any rash decisions too soon..sit tight and wait and see about your meds, get that in place and stabilized...take care of your eyes, a large monitor is a great idea, but maybe it's time to take a little break from that?...health is the most important thing, above all else. Sounds like you can stay put for awhile, get yourself stabilized with your meds and your eyes, and then you can decide what you want to do about full timing. One day at a time.....
Take your time with making a decision about fulltiming. Eventually you will know what is best for you. Good luck.
Do whats best for you.You will be in our prayers.
I am so sorry to hear that you have such problems with heart and eyes. Quitting fulltiming and/or RVing in my case was very sad, but it's not the end of the world. Like you say, you can still travel and live your life, but it will just be in a different way. I agree with all who say take care of your health first and foremost. Without that you can't do anything. I also agree with you that you should be near your own doctors that you trust. You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you make your decision.
I take a low dose aspirin every day (well, I do skip some days) and I have to tell you I have the most colorful bruises on my arms and hands! The coumadin will probably have the same effect.
Gosh, that is a lot to absorb at one time! A few thoughts:
Odel is on Coumadin permanently. He goes to different labs across the country, every month or two (depending on his numbers). It is not a problem at all. In fact, he is working on getting a new "in-home" tester (Medicare provides these for those folks who need permanent monitoring) that works like a glucose tester, which will make it even easier. If it turns out you need Coumadin long term, it need not stop you from traveling.
I had a cataract removed a couple years ago, and it was a thrill! Easy surgery, with immediate improvement. I was driving within a few days, and it continued to improve for 6 weeks.
Yes, your health is an extremely important asset to be well-guarded. Since it doesn't seem like the question of fulltiming needs to be answered right away, can you work on the various health problems for the next few (or several) months before making a decision?
You have a lot to think about, don't you? Take your time, one day/one challenge at a time, and I think you will discover the right course...
Best wishes!
Sorry you are having health problems. My mother lived to be 83 with the same health problems you have. That included a trip to Alaska by RV! So, take heart, just sit still for a while and it will all work out. I use drops to reduce the pressure in my eyes,and have had laser surgery on both eyes. Don't make any hasty decisions.You have your hubby and family for support and of course all your blogger friends.
Hi Pidge,
You sure have a lot to think about. I would wait it out see how the meds work before making any dicisions. I know a couple who jumped the gun and now they are sorry. Even if it takes a few months wait it out. I wish you the best and a speedy recovery I will keep you in my thoughts
Wow. That is a lot of information, not to mention emotion, to process. But, your health must come first, no question. And you don't need to make every decision right now. Living in an RV that doesn't move isn't a bad thing. :) Many of us don't travel as much as we thought we would.
The most important thing is to take care of yourself and the rest will fall into place.
Now. Take a deep breath.
You are at a crossroads we all know we ourselves will be standing at one day. The circumstances may be different but the crossroad remains the same. I think health is priority in your case & has to be dealt with first. Once you know & feel compfortible with your health situation you will be able to deal with & make your logical RV decisions. All the best Pidge & the Bayfield Bunch is thinking of you.........
Pidge, your health is always utmost important. Give yourself some time to sort through things, and then a decision can be made with more clear thinking. Your decision that is the most comfortable for you is the best decision. If it is to stay in the RV and travel part time or to settle in a house with family around and still travel some part time...neither is wrong. It has to be the one that gives you the most comfort and stability.
Take care and our thoughts are with you!
I am with most of the others, your health is job one. There is nothing wrong with travel in shorter periods when you are feeling good. I am sure that we would abandon the full time travel should significant health issues arise.
Oh my, that is a lot of news to take in at one time. Seems to me that you have found a great deal on a place to stay that is close to family and friends. They are people that you need at this time. I think I would stay put there and see how things go. We are thinking of you.
Kevin and Ruth
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
Wow Pidge, just saw the news, u have a lot to think about. So glad they found out what was wrong, now u and the dr's can address the problems and get them solved. Ur in a great place so u don't have to make any big changes right away...besides, don't know where u could live for that kind of money that would be any better. U have a wonderful support system so please my dear friend, just take it one day at a time for awhile...u will know what u want to do when the time is right to do it. Remember my motto, "Do ur best and let the Lord handle the rest". I'm sorry I wasn't able to read about this sooner but we've been on the road and mostly without internet...went to FL with my sister-in-law, then to New Orleanns. They went back home to PA and we followed in 3 days and stayed there for almost 2 weeks. On the way home O took another tumble and broke my wrist just north of the Alabama line. I'm a tough ole bird so I wrapped it in ice til we got home, went to the er for xrays and now waiting to see the surgeon either tomorrow or the next day. As we age we seem to gather problems a little quicker but honey, I can honestly tell u, He won't give us anything we can't handle together. Please try to keep ur spirits up and just handle today, tomorrow will take care of itself when it gets here. I'm a true example of prayer working miracles and there are thousands of us out here praying for u so, rest, eat good and listen to that sweet daughter of ur's. We love u both and look forward to visiting with y'all again. Hug sweet Rusty, u'll be surprised how much that will help also. Many prayers headed ur way. U have Dick's cell and our home phone numbers if u want to talk...I don't have mine anymore cause it took a nosedive into the toilet. lol Love u, talk with u soon.
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