The Start of a Different Journey Along a Road That NO ONE Wants to Travel

It has been quite a while since I last blogged.  Usually, it is because we are having too much fun on our RV adventures to stop and take the time to write about them.  Sadly, this is not the case now.  In the blink of an eye, our lives have changed dramatically.  Our wheels are not rolling, all our campground reservations have been canceled, and our travel plans have been put on hold indefinitely.  Instead, we are on a different kind of journey, a road upon which no one ever wants to travel.

 

It started back in March, when we went to enjoy a relaxing day at Lake Havasu, AZ.  Instead, we ended up in the Emergency Room at Havasu Regional Medical Center with Dad suffering excruciating pain on the left side of his back and abdomen.   We thought perhaps he had kidney stones.  But the CT scan indicated much grimmer news, and the ER doctor urged us to return home to TX immediately to seek medical attention.

 

We called the very next day to schedule a consult with a highly recommended urologist in Kingwood, TX and were grateful to get an appointment within 3.5 weeks (originally we were scheduled 6 weeks out!).  But upon examination and review of the ER CT scan, this urologist deemed Dad’s condition was too severe and outside the scope of his services.  He referred us to Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) in Houston and Dr. Seth Lerner, BCM’s top urologist, stating that with 30+ years of experience practicing medicine, Dr. Lerner “wrote the textbook” on Dad’s condition.

 

Surprisingly, we got an appointment just 2 days later for a consult with Dr. Lerner.  After a PET scan, Dad was scheduled for a cystoscopy and transurethral resection which were performed on an outpatient basis.  Dad lost quite a bit of blood, so he was admitted to Baylor/CHI/St. Luke’s for observation.  He was sent home with a Foley catheter/bag for Mom to administer maintenance/care before it was removed a week later.

 

The scan/procedures provided confirmation of Dad’s diagnosis: Stage 3b, muscle invasive bladder cancer, with several metastasized lymph nodes.  

 

I feel like I got sucker- and gut- punched at the same time.  It is surreal to hear the word “cancer” to describe Dad’s condition. Cancer does not run in my human paternal OR maternal families.  And, ironically, Dad has never been a smoker nor ever had excessive exposure to chemicals, the two groups who are considered high-risk for bladder cancer.

 

We met earlier this week with the BCM oncology team.  They spent over an hour imparting information and answering our many questions.  There was no sugar-coating Dad’s condition.  They cannot cure his cancer, but they will pursue controlling it aggressively.  He will begin 4 cycles of combination enfortumab-vedotin chemotherapy/Keytruda immunotherapy, a muscle-invasive bladder cancer protocol approved by the FDA in November 2025 which has produced encouraging outcomes.   Thereafter, his bladder must be removed, and a neo bladder from a section of his small intestine must be created.  Unlike many medical doctors, the oncology team is not opposed to Dad partaking of some natural/holistic remedies which our wonderful friends, Stephanie and Curtis, have been instrumental in sharing.  For instance, he has been applying frankincense and myrrh to his abdomen area to assist with inflammation and to possibly kill cancer cells.  We have added many antioxidant/health-benefitting foods to his diet.  And he is drinking tea brewed from wild lettuce for pain management with no interference with his heart medications.

 

It has been so difficult to see Dad, who conquers all tasks with vigor and gusto, exhibit such a lack of energy and be in such discomfort/pain.  Furthermore, it breaks my heart to watch the emotional toll this has taken on my parents.    Dad may be the stronger one physically, but we always have relied on Mom to be our emotional pillar.  My beloved human Grandma always called Mom the family’s “Rock of Gibraltar”.  But I notice that the “Rock” now has many visible fissures and cracks.  She returns from her walks with a tear-streaked face.

 

If only I could wave a wand to repair our crushed spirits, piece together our shattered dreams, and cure Dad of his cancer, which comes with a 5-year survival rate of just 35%.   But I know only God has the power to relieve us of our burdens.  I know that every day my family is together is a gift from God, for none of us is guaranteed a “tomorrow”.  I do believe in miracles, and I know God answers prayers.   I just hope he hears the small voice of Rambling RV Rat through the roar of all the other people in this world who need his mercy and grace.

 

Though no easy feat when you feel like a guillotine is hovering overhead, Mom strived to return normalcy to our lives, particularly when we were awaiting physician consultations.

   

We had a somber trip home from AZ to TX. 

For Easter, we attended a beautifully-performed Easter Cantata, and we assisted in the delivery of plants to area shut-ins and seniors.  It was a heartwarming experience.  And I realized that sometimes the simplest gifts are the ones that bring the most happiness to folks.

The Easter Cantata at First Methodist Church.

Plant Delivery Volunteers.

We enjoyed Mom's lasagna Easter Dinner (Dad still had an appetite then).  And, we celebrated my birthday--or more accurately the anniversary of my rescue from the toy store so many years ago, which you can read about here:  https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/741635452 7052845038/7395047688811937612

Having to forfeit pickleball and line dancing for less physical activities, we went to a couple of movies over these last few months and attended a Spring bell choir concert.

Known as the  "Ding-A-Lings", this is one talented group of bell ringers!

Despite Dad’s physical limitations/reduced capacities (he cannot lift more than 10 pounds for 6 weeks after his urethral transection, during which stents had to be implanted because the tumor is blocking the kidney-bladder connectors), we returned to volunteering at Mannafest Food Pantry, albeit for shorter shifts and more passive tasks.

 

For Memorial Day Weekend, we attended a ceremony in Lufkin, TX, we participated in placing flags on the graves of local heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for their Nation, and we stood for a local Korean War hero finally brought “home”.  The rain didn’t stop us from arriving at 7 a.m. on opening day for picking at C&M Blueberry Farm in Livingston.

Ceremony at Gibson Funeral Home in Lufkin, TX.

 

As members of the Southeast TX Patriot Guard Riders, we participated in placing flags on graves of local heroes...

...visited with the Gold Star family of KIA PFC Stuart Moore... 

...and stood for the "Coming Home" Procession of Korean War MIA CPL Orestus Stewart.

 Great family farm and delicious berries at C&M! 

 

To commemorate a milestone wedding anniversary for my parents, we visited Livingston Lake State Park.  It was a far cry from the celebration they anticipated.  But it was reminiscent of one of their first dates.

Enjoying nature, even if it is only in our hometown instead of in a National Park, provides us all with some solace, serenity, and spirituality.

 

One thing I learned from this entire ordeal is that full-time RVing makes a medical emergency so much more difficult.  So, we are grateful that Mom always planned for “what ifs”.  Hence, we have this long-term leased lot on which to stay here in Livingston.

We are blessed with the prayers of family and friends, and we value the camaraderie of our fellow members of the Escapees RV Club.

 

March Madness – It Ain’t Just About Basketball Here in Quartzsite, Arizona

March weather is known to “come in like a lion”.  Nay, nay I say!  This year in Quartzsite, the temperature on March 1 was 94F degrees!  But we were going to another “Howling at the Moon” festival in Yuma come hell or high water (and with the 97F temps in Yuma, we were getting close to the dry heat of hell!).  As we drove South on AZ-95 to Yuma, we noticed an exodus of RVs heading north seeking cooler temperatures.

 

The heat wave continued the next day for our Quartzsite line dancing extravaganza known as March Madness, where line dancers from neighboring areas join our Quartzsite group for an entire day of dance and fellowship.  It was the 22^nd Annual and the final one at which our long-time Instructor Vee would be at the helm.  We are grateful for her years of devotion, for the laughter, and for instilling that the only important thing about line dancing is “to have fun!”.  Though Vee is departing, line dancing will continue in Quartzsite with our new instructors Julie, Cheryl, and Diane.  So grateful they have stepped up to the plate to fill the void.  We also are fortunate to have Jody and Ken, wonderful instructors at the Desert Gold RV Park in Brenda, who always welcome us at their classes.

The Quartzsite Line Dancers.

Ken, Jody and the Brenda Line Dancers always welcome us when we pop in for an extra lesson.

All our dance instructors!

My favorite...

...March Madness participants!

Catherine presented departing Instructor Vee with a gorgeous handmade quilt consisting of all our annual Mad Madness t-shirt designs.  Truly a labor of love!

Not only did we experience high temperatures, but we had many days with ferocious winds during March.  I’ve got dust stuck in places you wouldn’t think possible!

 

Fortunately, we had only a light, cool breeze to accompany the hot weather on the day my family held my Rambling RV Rat Desert Party.  Pretty much every year we have been in Quartzsite (this was our 11^th) we have hosted a get-together.  This year included 28 dance friends, pickleball buddies, and desert neighbors.  Mom cooked up several entrees, (sausage/peppers, nacho skillet, chicken/rice) along with several salads (couscous, pasta, broccoli), and baked up a storm with foods that could accommodate most people’s dietary needs.  She may not be the best chef, but I am happy to report she maintained her record of never poisoning anybody!

 

The aerial view of the gang!

The aftermath of the party.  This is Round 3 of dishes that Mom had to wash!

After our desert party, many of us attended the final Skyhawk Dance at the Senior Center.

We used my self-portrait as directional signage for reaching our desert abode.

Speaking of signage, over the last 6 years I created 6 rock art self portraits along Old Yuma Road, representing 1 for each year of being in Tyson Wash LTVA.  Happily, they have remained intact!  Let me know if you locate them! 

We had some wonderful aerial views during March: double rainbows, the after-effects of a SpaceX launch, and writers in the sky.  And I just love witnessing the beautiful Arizona sunrises and sunsets, the masterful work of our Creator.

First the rainstorm.

Then the gorgeous double rainbow!

 

The sky after a SpaceX launch.

"Q" with an arrow pointing toward town, created by a skywriter.

Sunrise...

...Sunset, swiftly fly by the days.

Dad was busy with several projects this month.  He installed a new convention oven/microwave (our original one was not keeping temperature).  He re-sanded and re-stained the interior steps up to the bedroom (Klutzy Mom dropped cans too many times on the old steps, creating knicks/craters).  Dad also installed new running boards on my Rambling RV Rat Pack Rubicon, which also received a new windshield to replace the one damaged from a rock that kicked up while ON-road.   We had Shade Pro install some new slide toppers on Suite Retreat, too.

 

Getting packages from Amazon this year was more challenging than in prior years.  With Amazon, you have no idea what shipper will be used.  There is no option to select a shipping preference.     Moon Mountain Mail here in Quartzsite can accept packages shipped via FedEx and UPS for non-mail service folks for a fee of $5/package.  But they no longer can receive anything shipped via USPS unless you have a “mailbox” at their facility.    Fortunately, friend Marlys was a Godsend and allowed us to ship to her Moon Mountain address.

We have derived immense enjoyment from watching the activity at our bird feeders!  Sparrows, mourning doves, and Gambel Quail all have come to the 24-hour buffet.  Even a couple of ground squirrels have been regular patrons at the feeders.  They climb the pole, hop on board the feeders, and kick seeds out to the ground.  They are so very thoughtful and accommodating to the desert mice who come out at night to partake, too.  The whole gang loves when it is windy--we take the feeders off the pole and place them on the ground to protect them from being damaged.

We heard the howl of coyotes a few times here in Tyson Wash LTVA, but not nearly as often as we did our first 5 years when we set up at LaPosa South LTVA.    Similarly, in Tyson Wash LTVA we see few Gila woodpeckers (though we do hear them call out as they fly by), and jackrabbit visits are not as common as they were in LaPosa South LTVA (though I have uncovered plenty of evidence of their existence here in Tyson Wash LTVA!)

 

Some bunnies have been busy, busy, busy!

I always keep my eyes peeled for wildlife surprises.  And I spotted this nest below a nearby bush!

We did some motorcycle riding to the California side of the Colorado River for our annual Burro Palooza viewing.  (The burros were quite friendly--maybe they remembered me from other years!  I am sure they don’t see stuffed rats too often!)  Then, we drove over Parker Dam and continued up Highway-95 to take in the views of Lake Havasu.     

Skull Rock.

We also went for our annual visit to Celia’s Rainbow Garden, a tribute to the daughter of Joanne and the late Paul Winer (known as the “Naked Bookseller”).  Celia succumbed at age 8 to a viral infection that attacked her heart.  I just love seeing the desert flora come alive!

Unbeknownst to us beforehand, a Heroes Day Ceremony was ongoing at the Garden.  Sadly, this was another poorly attended local event due to a lack of publicity (like the Valentine’s Day Dance we attended in February).  We walked over to participate, rounding out the attendees to a dozen.   But not one of us were first responders for whom the event was honoring.   It amazes me how we have so many digital options for promoting events (not to mention the old-school way of posting flyers), and yet communication still lacks.

 

Each year Quartzsite empties out earlier and earlier.  But nothing clears out the LTVAs as quickly as nearly a week’s worth of projected temperatures of 95-110F degrees.  As for me, I am just going to lighten up and head on over to the clothing-optional “Magic Circle” in LaPosa South.  

Speaking of Paul Winer earlier, I found this photo from 2016!   Mom photographed Dad and me with him outside his bookstore.   You can see quite clearly why he was called "The Naked Bookseller".  

"N" is for Nudists, and this Rambling RV Rat has just joined their ranks.

 Talk to you again soon!