So here we are at the High Chaparral RV Park in Casa Grande, AZ. It's a rather large park, mostly full hookup, pull-through sites, and only $15 a night using Passport America. Like most of the parks in southern Arizona, it's nearly deserted. Not surprising, since the daytime temp is right at 102 degrees!
This is the start of our first significant trip with our new-to-us Prowler travel trailer. The trip to Willcox last month was a shake down cruise, and a few things did shake down. We were going to stay here just two nights, check everything out, and then move on.
However (and isn't there always a "however"?!), just after going to bed around 9:00 last night, I began feeling pressure in my chest. After about half an hour of macho "No, it's not that bad" I finally agreed I had to go to the ER. An ambulance came and took us away (the trailer is still hitched to the truck, so Suzy had to ride along in the ambulance). At the hospital, I got first class attention for about half an hour, then suddenly it stopped and we were ignored for a nearly three hours, me on their uncomfortable cot and Suzy perched on an uncomfortable chair.
Some readers may remember my Christmas season heart attack near Parker, AZ in 2012. I certainly remember it, and I was concerned it was happening again. The ER doctor, who looked a lot like a Mexican Buddy Hackett, didn't seem worried; he declared that I'd be staying the night and would have a stress test in the morning. Following our three hour isolation, I was finally to be wheeled to room 150 where I would have a better bed and Suzy would get a recliner chair.
As we were wheeling along, we both saw that we were passing through a door marked "Observation," That set off an alarm: If you are admitted, that's covered by Medicare or other insurance. If you are held for observation, that's not covered and you can expect a very large bill in the mail. With that, we conferred and announced we weren't staying. The nurse removed all my attachments and had me sign an acknowledgement that I was leaving "against medical advice." Since we had both arrived in the ambulance, we had no way back to High Chaparral, but the hospital arranged for a free ride for us. We got home at 2:00am, in bed by 3:00am, slept until 8:00am, and then signed up for a third night at the park.
Midday today, OH CRAP! Our RV toilet valve jammed in the open position! Try as I may, I was unable to get it to move even partway closed. Because we have very high temperatures in this region, and there are so few RVers willing to be here, the mobile RV service people have also departed; there is no one to help! We can still use the toilet, of course, lind of like an indoor outhouse, and we will over sanitize with the chemical stuff, but we'll also keep the door closed in between visits.
I can't take it -- there's no more to write, so I will simply say we'll tell you the outcome in the next session of ... Our Life on Wheels.
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| Our rig. The office is behind, and beyond that is a pool and hot tub. Too hot to use right now! |
However (and isn't there always a "however"?!), just after going to bed around 9:00 last night, I began feeling pressure in my chest. After about half an hour of macho "No, it's not that bad" I finally agreed I had to go to the ER. An ambulance came and took us away (the trailer is still hitched to the truck, so Suzy had to ride along in the ambulance). At the hospital, I got first class attention for about half an hour, then suddenly it stopped and we were ignored for a nearly three hours, me on their uncomfortable cot and Suzy perched on an uncomfortable chair.
Some readers may remember my Christmas season heart attack near Parker, AZ in 2012. I certainly remember it, and I was concerned it was happening again. The ER doctor, who looked a lot like a Mexican Buddy Hackett, didn't seem worried; he declared that I'd be staying the night and would have a stress test in the morning. Following our three hour isolation, I was finally to be wheeled to room 150 where I would have a better bed and Suzy would get a recliner chair.
As we were wheeling along, we both saw that we were passing through a door marked "Observation," That set off an alarm: If you are admitted, that's covered by Medicare or other insurance. If you are held for observation, that's not covered and you can expect a very large bill in the mail. With that, we conferred and announced we weren't staying. The nurse removed all my attachments and had me sign an acknowledgement that I was leaving "against medical advice." Since we had both arrived in the ambulance, we had no way back to High Chaparral, but the hospital arranged for a free ride for us. We got home at 2:00am, in bed by 3:00am, slept until 8:00am, and then signed up for a third night at the park.
Midday today, OH CRAP! Our RV toilet valve jammed in the open position! Try as I may, I was unable to get it to move even partway closed. Because we have very high temperatures in this region, and there are so few RVers willing to be here, the mobile RV service people have also departed; there is no one to help! We can still use the toilet, of course, lind of like an indoor outhouse, and we will over sanitize with the chemical stuff, but we'll also keep the door closed in between visits.
I can't take it -- there's no more to write, so I will simply say we'll tell you the outcome in the next session of ... Our Life on Wheels.
Plenty of us up North hoping everything is fine.
ReplyDeleteKeep us posted.
Plenty of us up North hoping everything is fine.
ReplyDeleteKeep us posted.
Not sounding like a fun trip so far. Maybe time to head home, grab some R&R & regroup, re-organize & re-think your options, All the best to you guys from us guys way up here in Bayfield Ontario, Canada.........
ReplyDeleteHang in there Jerry and hopefully things will settle down. Aren't you close enough to your doctor in Tucson that he can help you? In any case, take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteWhat about taking the trailer to La Mesa or who you bought it from and have them repair it? I know how you feel about all the little nagging problems with the RV and the older I get the more aggravating it gets.
You're so right - nothing every goes as planned. We sure didn't expect to be spending our summer here in AJ. I really think you need to get to Tucson and have your heart checked out. I do remember that observation thing at the hospital and medicare. That is so stupid. There are always things wrong with an RV - I am constantly going Jim this needs to be fixed. He gets real tired of it. I sure hope everything gets taken care of for you and the rig.
ReplyDeleteI do remember you mentioning about the observation thing before but I totally forgot about it. Thanks for the heads up. I am with Sandie...I am concerned for you Jerry. I think as soon as you get on the road again, you should see a doctor and and get another opinion.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your toilet. When it rains, it seems to pour.
Please go see your Dr. in Tucson. There is plenty of RV service there also. Take care of yourselves and we will see you in October.
ReplyDeleteNorris RV has mobile service.
ReplyDeleteWe found out about "observation" when we took our uncle to the ER..He was admitted under observation, but the doc switched it to "admitted" after 2 days..Did this just change recently? I remember that Medicare USE to pay for observation..if memory serves...Hope you are feeling better...I say stress is the cause of many illnesses!
ReplyDeleteHang in there, Jerry. I agree that you should probably get checked out by your regular doctor though.
ReplyDeleteSure hope you and the rig are feeling better soon!
ReplyDelete