Another Delay For My Surgery

The alarm went off at 4:30am this morning. We had to get up this early for the two hour drive to VA Shreveport for my pre-op visit and lab work. We were on I-20 heading East by 5:10am. We stopped for breakfast in Marshall, TX.

The sunrise was just outstanding as pictured here. The closer we got to Waskom, TX the smell of smoke was very evident. Through this area is where one of the large wildfires was a couple weeks ago. We hit the state line just before 8am and decided since my appointment wasn't until 9:30 we would drive over to one of the RV parks, Cash Point Landing off Highway 3 (Benton Road).

This park is a little over ten miles from VA. We took the 220 bypass and found the park without any problems. The park is a so-so park with gravel roads and grass pads with quite a few trees. Not sure how difficult it would be to find a satellite signal from the roof of the MH. Most antennas were ground mounted out away from the trees.

There is one thing about entering the road to the park from Highway 3 that Sandy and I had a little concern about which was the railroad crossing had a pretty good rise to it and we weren't sure if one would high center this in a 40ft motorhome.

While driving through the park we only noticed two motorhomes and they both were short wheelbase. The other RV's were either fifth wheels are pull behinds. The RRX may not be a problem but we decided not to take chance it and would stay at the RV Park at Diamond Jacks Casino. They are about $60 per week higher than Cash Point but with the RRX issue and with Diamond Jack being only three miles from VA I felt more comfortable with Sandy staying there rather than Cash Point. When we left the park the traffic going into Bossier City/Shreveport was a nightmare (bumper to bumper) all the way to I-20.

We arrived at VA around 8:45am checked in and waited in their waiting room. We weren't there very long and they called my name to report to the surgeon PA. When we walked into the room I sensed something was wrong as the PA had that look about her that just didn't look right to me. She said I hate to tell you this particularly with all the other delays you’ve experienced but due to a death in the surgeon's family last night he was flying to the Philippines to attend the funeral. Naturally my heart just fell to the bottom as I have been anticipating this nervously for the past four weeks and now another delay. I pulled up my Big Boy britches and decided to accept what ever date would be available after the surgeon returns. Besides you just don't want anybody cutting on you and when you do you want the best available.

We now have a tentative date of 10/20/11. They went ahead and did some of my pre-op while there so at least I won't have to drive back over for another pre-op. They will wait and do my lab work the day before my surgery.

Well I guess I will be back detailing and cleaning the home on wheels anticipating another date for the knife. We got back to Canton around 1pm and are in the process of finishing setting up our booth for sales this weekend.

Until next time . . . .MtnAire Travlers.

Getting Down To The Wire

I've been busy doing some of those chores of maintaining the home on wheels before my pending surgery on October 6th. Things like washing and cleaning the coach, washing the roof, applying 303 to all the roof vents and applying The Solution to the sides. Another reason for all this is to get my mind off the surgery and for these kind of chores I know I want be able to do for a while after my surgery.

We are at Canton now for the big fall show this next weekend. This show generally produces our largest crowd of the year. Let's hope there are buyers in amongst them as it's been awhile since we've had a good show.

We have checked out a couple of RV Parks near the VA Hospital and will stay at one so Sandy won't have that far to drive when she visits me. There is a nice RV Park at Diamond Jack Casino and another park about ten miles called Cash Point. We don't know which park yet but they beat the other alternative of driving back and forth to Lone Star which would be about 180 mile round trip. One of the pluses of having a home on wheels. Our plan is to check out Cash Point when we drive from Canton to Shreveport this coming Wednesday for a pre-op meeting and some lab work.

Another chore I did earlier in the week is to mow my BIL James three acres and our little spot. In the process of mowing I managed to knock down a old dead tree with the mowing tractor. The tree wasn't that big but when it fell I threw my left arm up to avoid being hit in the head. This really did a number on my left forearm and put a big bruise on the old noggin. I guess you can say this guy must be one big accident looking for a place to happen or a clumsy cluck. I believe both would be applicable. I know Sandy would agree that I fit both categories. When I walk into public places I get these stares like what happened to your arm??? I would take a photo but it does look gross.

Well I've managed to bore you to death with all my past and future events and will sign off until next time.....

MtnAire Travlers

ONE DOWN - TWENTY THREE TO GO

This is the weather system that blew in last night around 8pm. We finally had some heavy rain, lots of thunder and lighting. To be on the safe side we let down the Wineguard Trav'ler antenna. Glad we did as the winds were viscous. You could fell the motorhome just a rocking. Also we had several small tree limbs and a lot of leaves on the ground when we stepped outside this morning.

Last night's rain fall was a little over a 1.0. inch. It was a start toward cutting into our deficit and very much welcome. We may have a little more today. We’re 24 inches behind in rainfall this year, so it will take a lot of water to put a dent in that deficit. Any rain at all is better than nothing.

It hasn’t just been the lack of rainfall, the record high temperatures we've had all summer have dealt us a double-whammy, especially with regard to our lakes, rivers, and creeks. The drought in Texas is sort of a relentless disaster in slow-motion. Day after day of high heat and no rainfall has really taken its toll on the land not to mention all the horrible wild fires. On our way into Longview this morning for my Doctors' appointment you could here the trees and grass giving a big sigh of relief and crying for more. We're so thankful for the rain the good Lord sent our way.

I finally have a tentative date for my surgery at VA Shreveport. Check in Oct 5th and they will perform the surgery Oct 6. The surgeon said I probably will spend two days in ICU and 7 to 8 days in Hospital. This by no means is firm as he said it really depends upon the patient. Then I hopefully can come home can't drive or lift anything heavy for six weeks.

Until next time. . . .MtnAire  Travlers.

Change In The Winds Brings Smoke

I won't go into all the details about the wild fires we're having in Northeast Texas. But, there is one that is fairly close to base called the Bear Creek fire. It has consumed about 30,000 acres and last report I believe nine homes. I mention this as it started to our east and as the crow flies that is about 15 miles from us. The winds have pushed this system toward Jefferson and Lake O' The Pines.

Until today we've managed to escape the smoke and smell but with the wind shifting more from the North we are now experiencing smoke and the smell of burning. We don't expect the fire to head our way at this time but we remain vigil and prepared to pull out of here in the event things change.

Our hearts and prayers go out to all those that have lost their homes. We also don't want to forget the firefighters who have been battling the fires across Texas. My BIL James has been helping fight a fire over on one of the oil leases where he is a pumper. He came home the other evening completely exhausted. He said there are just to many fires going on that there is just not enough fighters to contain them.

Sandy and I drove through where one of the fires had passed through and it was so sad to see all the devastation that has been caused by these fires.
We need rain so bad and the weatherman is not giving us much hope.

On another note we've been out of transportation for two days. The Jeep is at the local Chrysler/Jeep dealer getting it's speed sensors replaced. This is tied into the ESP/BAS system causing the idiot light on our dash to come on. We also notice a difference in the handling. It seems the sensor thinks we are on wet pavement and tries to correct the travel of the rear wheels. We just heard from our service writer and he tells us to come and get our car as the part had to be ordered and won't be in until next Monday. So we have another appointment set up for next Tuesday. I guess they just no longer keep parts at the dealership and strictly depend upon shipment from their warehouses. Fortunately for us we took out the extended warranty and this is covered by it and all it will cost us is the $100 deductible. Something finally going our way for a change.

I'm publishing this post on the new blogger for IPhones that Rick with Rick and Paulette mentioned in his most recent blog. Hope it works. Haven't figured out the photo thing yet. Maybe next time.

Until next time. . . .MtnAire Travlers.