I've been remiss about posting for the last week, due to my visit to California.
I passed my driver's written and vision exams and will shortly have a current photo on my new license - we'll probably never see the auburn hair again in this lifetime! Oh well, that's as it is and should be!
I was originally scheduled to be in CA from Sunday afternoon until Wednesday. Tuesday American Airlines called to say that the Lafayette Airport would be closed Wednesday and Thursday due to ice storms, so I rescheduled for a flight on Friday morning.
Then my daughter, Kari, started working on me about what I need to do for this bum right knee I've developed after a million years of jogging. So, I emailed my internist [Kaiser Permanente docs must answer all patient emails within 24 hours - if my doc is on vacation another doc has to answer the email - I love it]; she emailed back that evening that she'd made an appointment for me with my orthopedic surgeon for Friday morning. So, once again, with the help of my son-in-law, we changed my return flight from Friday to Saturday.
Friday morning I saw my Orthopod (surgery jargon) and actually made all the arrangements for a total knee replacement to be done on April 21st in Sacramento. Another great thing about Kasier membership: everything can be arranged through one source so all my pre-op appointments, tests, physical therapy, etc. are scheduled as well as all my post-op care. The only little crimp in the plan was that he wanted me to have an MRI on Saturday and I said I didn't want to change my flight again (American Airlines had not given me any change charges so I didn't want to press my luck). So, I'll need to be in Sacramento on March 31st for the MRI, which will be sent to Belgium to the manufacturer of the components. The components for my knee will be custom made dependent on the MRI. Pretty interesting, huh?
Although this is putting a sizable detour in my travel plans, we decided that it's the best part of valor to go ahead and bite the bullet now while I'm in good health - take no medications, etc. The Orthopod says I probably shouldn't plan on hitting the road again for about 4 months "or so," during which time I'll be diligent about the recovery process. He says I may not feel like jogging again but should be able to do as much walking, hiking, bike riding, swimming, etc. as I want.
I'm going to park Floribunda at my son's house in Cottonwood, CA and move into my daughter's house in El Dorado Hills; where they're going to turn David's office back into a bedroom - located on the ground floor with its own bathroom. I'll probably stay there for at least a couple of months; then may head to my son's house and either stay in the house with the family - or move back into Floribunda to live - without traveling.
Once my daughter had made the generous offer to be my private nurse in her house, I warmed up to the whole idea. I still have NO DESIRE to move back into my own house - and have told the renters that so they don't worry about having to move out. Maybe I'll even start making RV-buying notes about exactly what I'd like for living and traveling if it's to become my full-time life. Hmmm.
I got back to Betty's in Abbeville on Saturday and was thrilled to be back in my own little home on wheels with Eleanor and Lacy. So many people here at Betty's helped out while I was gone and I owe them a debt of gratitude. Lacy stayed with Ruth and Wendell (Tennessee) and Eleanor was nicely taken care of in Floribunda by Christy and Clay (Colorado/Oklahoma). Marvin took good care of my rig - the ice storm presented freezing problems, etc. And, he even moved her and set her up in a new site for me. I'd known that, because I've extended my stay here, I'd need to make room for a big rig that was to head in on Saturday. Thanks to all for all your help.
Yesterday, I celebrated my 71st BD - treated to breakfast and gifts and Happy Birthday at happy hour and lots of phone calls and cards and email greetings from family and friends. I'm one lucky 'girl!'
And, I thought a lot about my mom and dad - I was born on their 9th anniversary so yesterday would have been their 80th!!!!!!!!!
I love you, Mom and Dad.
Today, it's raining - Louisiana style - warm and wet. I'm very content to stay inside and enjoy the beginning of my 72nd year . . .