Dad's Perceived "Blip on the Radar" Turns into a Major Medical Issue

The past 2 months have been wild and scary.  We were happy and carefree, ready to leave for Quartzsite, AZ right after Christmas.   Then Dad suffered chest pains, resulting in an ER visit that, thankfully, ruled out another heart attack.

 

We breathed a sigh of relief and were hopeful that a heart catheterization scheduled for December 29 would reveal that a new stent or rotor-rooter of an existing one would fix Dad’s problem.  Dad was confident that the incident would be just a “blip on the radar”.  He would be fixed in a jiff, and we would be in AZ just a few days later than planned.

 

Dad’s “blip” turned into the need for QUADRUPLE coronary artery bypass surgery!  Then midway through the bypass procedure, Mom was summoned for a consult:  Dad also had a leaky mitral valve for which she had to provide authorization for surgical repair!  But we ain't done there!   After the bypass surgery, Dad developed tachy-brady syndrome, a fluctuation between atrial fibrillation and bradycardia, too low a heart rate.  This resulted in the need for a pacemaker a week later.

 

Prepped for bypass.

Post procedure, Dad looks a bit chunkier from all the fluids.

After the pacemaker insertion.

Coming home, with more hair stubble than Dad has seen in many years!

It boggles this stuffed rat’s cotton brain how things turned so bad so quickly.  After Dad’s heart attack 5 years ago, he made major life changes:  adhering to a plant-based diet, giving up all the foods he loved (Dad shared my passion for cheese!); losing 40 pounds; exercising regularly and even doing yoga on a daily basis.  He doesn’t drink, smoke, or take pharmaceuticals—legal or illegal.  He aced his last nuclear stress test in November 2021. And his blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and other lab measurements were all good after his bloodwork in October 2022.  Yet his worst fear came to fruition in early January 2023—being cracked open like a coconut and required to take prescription drugs.  It was a tough pill for us all to swallow (pun intended), and it certainly portrays the evils of heredity.  Sometimes nothing you can do will make you healthier.  With Dad’s DNA, we are always grateful Dad didn’t follow his own father’s destiny:  dying in his 40s from a heart attack.

 

I don’t know which was tougher to bear:  Dad with his chest cracked to physically repair his heart function or Mom emotionally brokenhearted, dealing with the possibility of losing her partner in life.  They both seemed to have aged considerably from the ordeal.

Thankfully, the Texas hospital where surgery was performed operated like the good old pre-COVID days.  Masks were not required. Mom was able to stay at the hospital for the full 2 weeks of Dad’s admittance, sleeping and showering at the ICU visitor waiting area or staying right with Dad when he was within a regular room.  She left the grounds only twice.  Once was to visit the local Walmart to purchase clothing and toiletries for both her and Dad.  (This hospital provides NOTHING to patients, not even a tissue.  Waiting rooms have no complimentary coffee for visitors.  Vending machines, if operational at all, require payment by apps or credit card.  The cafeteria has very limited hours of operation.  One might think these changes were implemented for COVID.  However, the staff informed Mom they were all enacted for budgetary purposes long before COVID reared its ugly head.)  The second time she left the hospital was to pick up the car rental she booked to transport Dad home, since there was no way Dad was getting into Big Boomer, our medium duty truck.  

Meanwhile, my pocket pal Nezumi and yours truly, the Rambling RV Rat, remained home.  We were highly concerned about our human Dad, so we were well behaved stuffed rodents, especially since Aunt Laurie (whom I refer to as Wicked Witch of the East or W.W.T.E. for short) checked up on us each evening.

 

But God has been good.   Although we are members of SkyMed to deal with on-road medical situations, Dad's issues transpired while we were still at home base.  So, we were fortunate to have his usual healthcare providers involved in his treatment.   Dad’s surgical procedures all went well.  Despite his requirement to be in a sling for his pacemaker for the first 4 weeks post-op, Dad has had a speedy and full recovery.  Effective February 24, he has resumed driving and was given the green light to return to “normal” activities (though I’m sure the docs wouldn’t share Dad’s personal definition of “normal”).  Most importantly, God has blessed us with the gift of friendship and caring people in our lives.  Collectively, we felt like George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life”. The outpouring of support and prayers has been so heartwarming, particularly from those in the RV Community, who understand the added hardships of dealing with medical issues within a traveling lifestyle. Trixie, a former full-time RVer who is back in a sticks/bricks nearby because of her own husband’s major medical problems, arrived at the hospital to sit with Mom during the bypass surgery.  Friends Janice/Rick and Nancy/Jerry (all of whom we met while working at Amazon 7 years ago) and Mom’s BFF Aunt Maureen/Uncle Ted, checked in EVERY SINGLE DAY, offering Mom emotional support. So many who previously went through this surgical ordeal reached out to give Dad encouragement.   I can’t name you all individually, but please know my family is eternally grateful to each and every person who phoned, e-mailed, texted, messaged, and most importantly, prayed for a positive outcome.

 

We canceled all our travel plans and our summer volunteer gig in Oregon because Dad’s litany of follow-up medical appointments, from PCP to thoracic surgeon, from cardiologist to cardio electrophysicist (say that 3 times fast!) are booked right through August.  Thankfully, our ERPU leased lot here in Escapees Rainbow Park provides us a place to park with no worries about reservations or needing to change spots. To learn more about Escapees ERPU long-term leased lots, here’s my blogpost about it:

 https://ramblingrvrat.blogspot.com/2018/?m=0

This is the longest stretch of time we have stayed in Livingston.  Furthermore, we typically are here only during the last quarter of the year.  So, we ain’t looking forward to a Southeast Texas summer!  Mom’s already dripping from the humidity despite the cooler weather we experienced in January and February.  We also had several torrential rainstorms which created wetlands and flooded fields along Highway 146.  There was enough standing water that the occasional heron, egret, or ibis would fly in for a stopover, which was very cool to see.  

 

One of the advantages of being at home base is catching up with friends. So we have enjoyed socializing numerous times with Park residents Lisa/Jim and friends Rosemary/Jeff who are here in Livingston for a month or so before continuing on their journey.  We were happy to see Bob/Ruth from Hondo while they were on the Park grounds for a short time one day giving their lovable pooch Nicky some play time.  James/Cindy, whom we met last year in Quartzsite through mutual friends Guy/Sue, were passing through the area.  They recognized our truck!  That led to several long chats during their stay and an evening of dinner and fellowship.  We hope to see them again soon down the road.  We also have enjoyed the company of new RV friends Dave/Debbie, who share our passion for dance and have joined us at the VFW many times. 

One of several dinners my parents spent with Jim/Lisa as a foursome...

The foursome expanded to include Escapees Larry/Robyn.

One of several evenings of fellowship with Rosemary/Jeff.   Our server at Pueblo Vieja was terrific and provided great laughs.

So good to see Ruth/Bob and Nicky.  We usually catch up with them in Hondo on our way to Quartzsite.

Fun times with James/Cindy.

James is a big fan of mine, so I bestowed him with this photo op!

New friends Dave/Deb, who share my family's love of dance.  They have helped my parents with their two-step!

Mom keeps us all motivated to stay active and engaged, insisting we must make the most of our time here.  Therefore, we participate in the limited number of activities the Park offers like the Sunday ice cream socials. Mom assisted Park residents with reorganizing the Clubhouse library, and she has returned to daily line dancing lessons offered at the Park.  Dad started walking with us daily--he is now joining Mom and me for our full 5-mile jaunt!

 

Furthermore, we have become auxiliary members of our local VFW, which has lots of fun events like dance lessons as well as live bands every Saturday.  The VFW has provided us a venue to dance and to expand our friends and acquaintances beyond the RVing community.

 

Through folks from the VFW we learned that some Livingston residents are trying to organize pickleball games using the tennis courts at a local park.  Mom created a petition to the Mayor requesting at least 1 tennis court be lined permanently for pickleball.  (Right now, we have to chalk out the court once/week.)  Despite the less-than-stellar current court conditions, my parents are enjoying meeting new people and re-honing their limited pickleball skillset.

 

Into each life, some rain must fall.  We, by the greatness of God, have withstood this storm.   But we know that EVERY day is a gift.  We have no guarantee of tomorrow, or next week, or next year.  Being back on the road soon is our hope, but for right now, we are content just to enjoy “being”.

 

 

 

A Holiday Season of Celebration in Texas Ends with Tribulation

Upon returning home to TX, we immersed ourselves into maintenance projects, business appointments, and holiday activities.

 

Getting together several times with friends Lisa/Jim and Romalee/Tim is always a highlight of returning to Rainbow’s End each Fall.  We also spent time with Kate/John during their 2-night stay in Livingston.  We saw them last in June while we were all in CO.  Sue/Jack, who we haven’t seen since January 2021, stopped by to chat.  We enjoyed catching up so much, we neglected to get a photo.  And we enjoyed the hospitality of fellow Escapees member “Movie Man” Joe on 2 occasions as he invites all Park residents to join him on his lot in viewing a film, enjoying treats, and even winning prizes.

 

The best reunion, however, was Mom with Yellow Jacket, her 2009 Honda Rebel.  You see, when Dad converted his 2010 Road King Classic into Maximus the Trike, Yellow Jacket got evicted from the truck garage for transport and was confined to a storage unit.   Mom was relegated to riding shotgun with Dad on Maximus for the last 10 months.  Worse yet, my only way to ride was strapped to the cargo tour pack!  Mom is thrilled that Dad has now devised a new way to transport her motorcycle with us.

 

There is no better way to celebrate the reuniting of a motorcyclist with his/her beloved bike than to take a ride.  So, we set out for Martin Dies State Park in Jasper, TX.  We all froze our buns off, but the cold was accompanied by some lovely fall foliage.   Though this Park gets crowded during the summer, it is underutilized in the Fall.   So, it is always an enjoyable, serene experience hiking at Martin Dies State Park this time of year. 

 

Our motorcycling travels also brought us to the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in Carthage, TX.  So many great talents hailed from the Lone Star State, including Tex Ritter, Willie Nelson, and the Oak Ridge Boys.  Texas-born Gene Autry was considered by many (including himself) to be the first singing cowboy.  But John Wayne beat him to it in 1933 as Singing Sandy in “Riders of Destiny”.  Unfortunately, the Duke’s singing voice was less than stellar.  Let’s just say that he would not be chosen as a contestant on “The Voice” and that his decision to stick with acting was a wise one.  The Museum has a replica of an old-fashioned soda pop shoppe and includes a working juke box.  I selected “Elvira” to play and watched my crazy parents do some line dancing in the Hall corridors.

  

Mom doesn’t care where our travels take us, but she mandates that we are somewhere stationary from mid-November to year-end.  That’s because she always treats us to a plant-based Thanksgiving feast, making another Tom a happy Turkey.  She begins her collaboration with the Keebler Elves for cookie baking, and we all decorate “the house” inside and out for Christmas.   Thanksgiving marks the commencement of our binge-watching holiday shows and movies.  From classics like “Miracle on 34^th Street” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”, to must-see films like “Christmas Vacation”, “Elf”, and “Home Alone”, from animated specials dating to the 1960s/1970s, to cheesy Hallmark and Lifetime movies, my family reaches maximum consumption level.  Cultured people can perform Shakespearean soliloquys or recite the words of great poets like Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, or Langston Hughes.  Not my parents!  Instead, they quote Clarence A.S.C., Clark Griswold, Cousin Eddie, and Burgermeister Meisterburger.  Not to mention they know all the lyrics to the Snow Miser/Heat Miser songs and the opening tune from “Santa Clause Conquers the Martians”.   By the time Christmas day actually arrives, I am ready for holiday detox!

Our Thanksgiving meal--no Tom Turkey here.

We spend Thanksgiving weekend decorating outside...

...and inside for Christmas.

Eye test!  There are at least 3 rodents in this section of our ornaments.  Can you spot them?

We were told it was a dry summer here in the Piney Woods of TX.  But we had several deluges these last 2 months that more than compensated for it, including rainfall associated with Hurricane Nicole.  Weather ran the gamut, from hot, humid 90F-degree scorchers, to cool, crisp Autumn days, to the “polar freeze” that, sans the snow, made it feel like a holiday winter wonderland!

 

Christmas is a magical time here in Texas.  Every town and city, regardless of size, offers holiday lights and activities, and Livingston is no exception.  This year we attended the Lighting at Municipal Hall, where the holiday season was kicked off with caroling by a children’s choir, sipping of hot cocoa, photo-taking with our favorite characters, and the illumination of all the Christmas lights at Pedigo, Penguin, and Heritage Parks.

 

A sampling of the holiday lights at Pedigo Park...

This was the first year we participated in the Jingle Bell Fun Run/Walk, held on the second Saturday in December in conjunction with the Hometown Christmas Fair.  There were hundreds and hundreds of entrants.  Since we were among the first 100 to sign up, we received official t-shirts and jingle bells with our entry fees.  We opted for the 2-mile walk rather than the 5K run—Mom said she didn’t want to register on the Richter Scale as an earthquake with her heavy pavement pounding when she runs.  The route took us right through the Hometown Christmas Fair, so we got to peruse all the arts, crafts, and food vendors at the same time.  It was a hot, humid day, but the rain that was initially forecast hadn’t materialized--yet.  Instead, the downpour occurred in the early evening, right before the commencement of the Lighted Christmas Parade in which we registered Big Boomer!  It was torrential for a solid hour, with thunder and lightning to boot.     The storm subsided just long enough for all of the parade floats and participants to high-tail it along Washington Avenue for the 1.5 mile route.  I sure was disappointed the precipitation precluded me from sitting front and center upon a fully decked-out Big Boomer.  Instead, Dad let me honk the horn as he drove.   Though Mom’s feet got wet, she insisted she still walk the route to hand out the candy we bought for the spectators—a good decision based on the smiles on the kiddies’ faces as they held out their pillowcases, stockings, and Walmart bags to collect edible offerings.

Jingle Bell Fun Run/Walk.

 

Me front and center for the Hometown Christmas Parade before the downpour began and I was relegated to sitting inside the truck.

Buc-ee riding along with Big Boomer.

Another Parade entrant.

Once again, we rang bells for Salvation Army for 2 hours each week starting on Black Friday.  Folks were very generous, despite their own economic struggles.  Perhaps knowing all the monies raised locally assist folks right within our own County’s community played a part.    We viewed the Polk County Heritage Society Train Village display, drove through The First Baptist Church’s “Bethlehem”, attended the annual Christmas play at First United Methodist Church, and spread holiday cheer with the Caroling Caravan at Escapees Rainbow’s End RV Park.

Polk County Heritage Society's Train Village.

We always appreciate the reminder from First Baptist Church of the true reason for the season.  

Scene from the First United Methodist Church's play, "A TX Christmas Carol".

Carolers at Escapees Rainbow's End RV Park.

We were the tail end of the Caroling Caravan.

In addition to all the holiday activities we did in Livingston, we had a 3-day stay in Jefferson, TX for their Candlelight Tour of Homes.  Of course, it was a blustery 40F degree day when we embarked upon Maximus the Trike for this 3-hour ride.  So, we stopped to thaw out and enjoy a late breakfast at the retro 1st City Café within the Fredonia Hotel in Nacogdoches.

 

We started our Jefferson adventures by learning about the city’s past and perusing Marion County artifacts at the Jefferson Historical Museum, whose structure was once a Federal Courthouse and later a post office.    Jefferson was founded circa 1840 and named for our 4^th Prez.  A 100-mile log jam on the Red River proved beneficial to Jefferson—the jam acted as a dam and made water levels optimal to accommodate commercial river travel.  Boats from New Orleans unloaded cargo and tourists in Jefferson.  By 1870, Jefferson was second only to Galveston as a port.  Dubbed as The Queen City, it was the 6^th largest city in all of TX at that time, boasting a population of 30,000.  Then the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) came in to wreak havoc.  They used nitroglycerin to unclog the Great Red River Raft in 1873, thereby lowering the water levels and killing the riverboat industry.  Jefferson’s population dwindled rapidly.  Jefferson is now home to less than 2,000.

 

The exterior of the Jefferson Historical Museum...

A sampling of exhibits... 

...within the Museum.

But the townsfolk have done a terrific job of preserving and repurposing structures like converting an 1865 saloon/brothel into the Kahn Hotel, where we reserved second floor accommodations.  We had a lovely room with period furnishings, reclaimed wood floors, and warm, earthy tones on the walls.  What we didn’t have was a visit from any spirits.  Considering the Kahn Hotel is ranked as #7 among the most haunted buildings within the Lone Star State, I can only presume the ghosts were afraid to rumble with this Rambling RV Rat!

 

Coffee shop within the Kahn Hotel.

We have attended holiday house tours throughout the years in NJ, NY, PA, in our hometown of Livingston, TX.  They were always enjoyable, truly festive, fine examples of creativity, and a labor of love by the homeowners to make it a magical experience for guests.  The properties on display in Jefferson, TX were no exception.  Though they varied in architecture, age, and decorations/ornamentation, all truly captured the spirit of the season.   We took tons of photos, but I am only including a small sampling.  We had a blast.  And walking the route rather than riding Maximus provided us with added ambience, including seeing the Enchanted Forest with themed trees decorated by area businesses and families.

 

A Christmas tree shaped by stacked books!

Carolers entertaining the guests.

Surprisingly, Jefferson has some excellent restaurants.  This Rambling RV Rat highly recommends McGarity Restaurant and Saloon.  It has terrific atmosphere and service.   Plus, it offers a selection of plant-based options for Dad along with Irish favorites and American fare for carnivores.  It was our go-to eatery.  We also enjoyed the small but varied menu at Austin Street Bistro. And though not nearly as good as Italian cuisine from back East, Roma’s Italian Restaurant sufficed in a pinch.

 

Interior of McGarity Restaurant and Saloon.

We walked around downtown, and browsed around the small shops including the General Store/Mercantile.  Their vintage and varied merchandise and retro decors brought back many fond memories, compelling me to add a mouse ornament to my collection, Dad to buy a University of TX Longhorns ornament, and Mom to purchase C&C (cute AND comfortable) ankle boots.  We walked along the History and Nature Center Trail, enjoying the artist-in-residency’s creations that were mingled within the wooded setting.  I even spotted Big Foot!  It was a terrific mini getaway and added immensely to our holiday cheer.

 

I'm in luv!

Big Foot likes to hike this trail, too.

We contributed to several food, gift, and toy drives this holiday season including one sponsored by Gateway Classics in Houston, TX, where we got to see some terrific sets of wheels.  But, by far, our hearts were warmed most by joining the San Jacinto High Rollers on their motorcycle charity run to benefit Boys and Girls Country in Hockley, TX.  For us, it encompassed 200 miles, so it was a LONG day of riding.  But it was an uplifting and gratifying experience to be together with the youngsters and teens for the first time since COVID reared its ugly head and to watch their excitement when they received gifts from Santa.

 

Speaking of motorcycling, we participated in 2 wreath-laying missions with the East and Southeast Chapters of the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR). Both missions offered drier and warmer weather than in prior years.

 

Fellow Patriot Guard Riders.

Wreaths Across America at Memorial Gardens, Lufkin.

Wreath-laying for Livingston's own PFC Stuart Moore.

Lanette, whom we met in MN this summer, invited us to get together in Crystal Beach, TX, an enclave on the Bollivar Peninsula at which she secured a work-camping gig.  The fog was as thick as pea soup that day.  But the less-than-ideal visibility conditions didn’t damper our spirits. We sat on the beach along the Gulf of Mexico.  You can drive your vehicle or even park your RV beachfront down here.  Very cool.   We enjoyed great conversation and a tasty meal at Mamma Mia’s Woodfire Pizzeria which overlooks the Bay.  We then parted ways, and we put Maximus the Trike onboard the Ferry over to Galveston.  We walked along Sea Wall Boulevard and the beach a bit before heading home.

 

Who cares about being unable to see the waters of the Gulf of Mexico when I got to see Miss Maddie! 

View of the bay from the outdoor eating area of Momma Mia's.

Aboard the Ferry from Bolivar Peninsula to Galveston.

These gulls hitched a ride.

Art along Seawall Boulevard.

Maximus at Galveston Beach.

The week before Christmas brought sub-freezing temperatures, registering as low as 10F degrees with the wind chill factor.  Our Christmas was a quiet one at home.  We enjoyed our traditional meals, watched religious services on TV, and just focused on the blessings we have received this year, despite some setbacks.

Yours truly with his special gift from Uncle Kevin and Aunt Ellen.  It's a Mouse King Nutcracker!

 

As I extend my family’s best wishes to each of you for a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2023, I ask for prayers for my Dad.  Chest pains resulted in Mom taking him to the ER.  Heart attack was ruled out, thankfully.  But a follow-up with his cardiologist and the scheduling of a heart catheterization resulted in learning he has multiple major blockages that cannot be repaired by stents/rotor-rooter.  Despite his active and healthy lifestyle and adherence to a plant-based diet since his 2017 heart attack/insertion of stents, he must undergo quadruple bypass surgery, scheduled for the first week of January.   We are grateful this happened at home base with medical professionals we trust and facilities we know rather than while on the road.   So, our travel plans have been canceled.  But this, too, shall pass.  With the loving care of Mom, the outpouring of support from friends and family, and, most importantly, our faith in God above, Dad will have a positive outcome.