Health Effects of Hanging Up the RV Keys

[jymbee]

The only complaint I had was that they didn't give me enough of those little peanut butter crackers during the short wait afterwards to make sure there were no issues.

WHOA!! Peanut butter crackers?!?

Nothing like that was ever mentioned as an option when I had my cataracts done-- with EITHER eye!

I have a routine appointment coming up with my ophthalmologist and you can bet you butt I'm going to raise some H E L L about this!

[WOW-- After posting I see I apparently offended the all powerful spell "correct" as my offensive double hockey stick word was starred out. Good grief, really?? ]

 

[garyb1st]

If cataracts are the only reason that you are thinking of stopping RV travel,

Cataracts have nothing to do with whether or not I'll continue RVing. Someone else raised the subject. I only mentioned my situation as an aside.

The reason for the thread has more to do with what happened following the return from our last trip. I drove 2,100 miles in five days. The engine was misfiring or something. Engine stuff always puts me on edge. I didn't sleep well for 3 of those 5 nights I was like a zombie when we got home. I had never felt so exhausted. I didn't do much of anything for a month. No work around the house, no exercise or stretching, too hot to hike. Bottom line, I could feel my strength slipping away. When I considered how quickly it happened, it made me wonder what will happen when I do hang up the keys. I wanted to know what other experienced.

 

[DonTom]

It took a little getting used to wearing my glasses with one lense removed while waiting to get the other eye done.

I did the same, between eye operations. There was such a big improvement in my first eye, I did not like the wait to have the 2nd eye done.

-Don- Big Creek Camp, NV

 

[TheBar]

I drove 2,100 miles in five days. I had never felt so exhausted. I didn't do much of anything for a month. No work around the house, no exercise or stretching, too hot to hike. Bottom line, I could feel my strength slipping away. When I considered how quickly it happened, it made me wonder what will happen when I do hang up the keys. I wanted to know what other experienced.

My recovery time has definitely quadrupled in the past few years.

On my whirlwind tour for a funeral started with 3 hours sleep Thursday, but also Friday, and Saturday. Eating lunch and dinner every day with a dozen family members I hadn't seen in 30 years. Then driving 550 miles home on Sunday.

After running on adrenaline for 4 days I didn't do anything but sleep and eat for 3 days. Two weeks later my energy level is finally back to normal but I think I aged a couple years in those 4 days. Getting too old for that kind of stress.

 

[NY_Dutch]

I did the same, between eye operations. There was such a big improvement in my first eye, I did not like the wait to have the 2nd eye done.

-Don- Big Creek Camp, NV

The doctor did both of my wife's eyes at the same time because he also did a procedure to treat her glaucoma. For a couple of days after, I was her designated seeing eye dog.

 

[DonTom]

This will explain the difference it made to me after my cataract surgery was completed on both eyes.

Before my Cataract surgery, Tom & I often drove to Reno from South San Francisco late at night, to my first house in the area--the one I sold a few years ago in Cold Springs Valley.

Tom would have to do the driving because I was driving way too slow , with glasses and all, during the night, especially being blinded by headlights coming the opposite direction. Taking the glasses off was no help. I still could not safely drive at the speed limit, so then Tom did 100% of the night driving.

Not long after the Cataract surgery, I decided to try again to drive at night, with no glasses. I felt like I was going the same MPH as always until Tom yelled at me for driving way too fast--well over the speed limit, with headlights still coming the opposite direction. I was shocked when I looked at the speedometer as I had no I idea I was speeding. From then on, I drove as much at night as Tom did. His eyesight was very good day and night, never needed glasses and never had cataracts. My eyesight was as good as his after the cataract operation except for the fact that Tom could read very fine print without classes and I still need glasses for the fine print.

-Don- Big Creek Camp. NV

 

[Firstime RVer]

WHOA!! Peanut butter crackers?!?

Nothing like that was ever mentioned as an option when I had my cataracts done-- with EITHER eye!

I have a routine appointment coming up with my ophthalmologist and you can bet you butt I'm going to raise some H E L L about this!

[WOW-- After posting I see I apparently offended the all powerful spell "correct" as my offensive double hockey stick word was starred out. Good grief, really?? ]

ROFLMBO!!!! I never got any peanut butter cookies either?!?!

 

[jymbee]

ROFLMBO!!!! I never got any peanut butter cookies either?!?!

I'm thinking class action...

 

[NY_Dutch]

ROFLMBO!!!! I never got any peanut butter cookies either?!?!

My wife wasn't offered any either at a different clinic. When she heard about mine, I had to buy her a box of them.

 

[Larry N.]

I'm thinking class action...

Kindergarten class??

 

[pipepro1]

My wife has macular degeneration, and we are having talks about her not driving anymore. She is depressed that her freedom is slipping away and she will be forced to rely on me. She gets shots in her eyes which is prolonging her vision. Getting old isn't for sissies. I think that when you have questions you have to be honest with yourself and your family. Plan ahead, our local transportation company is great about picking you up and taking you places but the wait for them to pick you up sometimes is bothersome. Still there are taxi services you can use.
The doctor I bought my first RV from traveled all over the states making multiple trips to Alaska. When he no longer could drive he chose greyhound and kept on traveling.

 

[Mr Lars]

Wife and I don’t travel in the RV all that often, maybe one a year, possibly twice. For us, it is a very expensive activity. If my wife came to me, and floated the idea of selling the RV, I would jump in the car, and burn rubber on my way to the nearest hardware store to purchase ‘For Sale’ signs.

 

[Kirk]

Bottom line, I could feel my strength slipping away. When I considered how quickly it happened, it made me wonder what will happen when I do hang up the keys. I wanted to know what other experienced.

To get back to the subject, I strongly believe that you need to find some other activity to keep busy and both physically & mentally active. I like volunteering because there is such a wide range of possibilities offered. I don't know where in CA you are located but any city will have a long list of organizations looking for help. I have know some who build houses with Habitat for Humanity, another who drives for Meals on Wheels, and helping young students learn to read. Another friend helps at a local arboretum in the city park and sometimes drives a golfcart for visitor transportation there. Most zoos and city auditoriums have docents, as do museums. You can find opportunities through local volunteer centers, online databases, community events, or professional networks.

 

[NY_Dutch]

To get back to the subject, I strongly believe that you need to find some other activity to keep busy and both physically & mentally active. I like volunteering because there is such a wide range of possibilities offered. I don't know where in CA you are located but any city will have a long list of organizations looking for help. I have know some who build houses with Habitat for Humanity, another who drives for Meals on Wheels, and helping young students learn to read. Another friend helps at a local arboretum in the city park and sometimes drives a golfcart for visitor transportation there. Most zoos and city auditoriums have docents, as do museums. You can find opportunities through local volunteer centers, online databases, community events, or professional networks.

I'm not physically able to do the volunteer work you mention, but I did volunteer to maintain the websites for several area charitable organizations and the county Office for the Aging. I can do the bulk of the work from home, with the rest just attending occasional meetings to discuss upcoming major changes. Most of it is just keeping calendars updated, along with creating "ads" to promote various events. It keeps me busy, and I do enjoy it.

 

[garyb1st]

For now I have more than enough things to keep busy. My home is almost as old as me. There's always something that needs to be done. The yard itself takes a significant amount of effort. Especially after being gone for 2 or 3 months. The house needs a coat of paint. I'm thinking of doing it myself. I've replaced doors and windows. Not exactly rocket science but for a first timer, requires a bit of knowledge. I use google extensively in my diy efforts.

I'm a totally unskilled DIY type. Inherited that from my father. Never learned anything when young. Didn't have time when I was working. Now I consider it a rewarding effort. It involves activities that are both physically and mentally challenging. Since I've never done these things during my working years, I rely heavily on youtube. I've also gotten help from the Forum. An amazing source for almost any kind of project.

Then there's my wife. She's not quite ready to hang up the keys. Turned 62 a few weeks after my 83rd. If she can get comfortable driving the RV, maybe a much shorter one, then who knows. Hopefully I can sit back and enjoy the scenery a bit more. That's the immediate goal. Bottom line, I'm not ready to hang up the keys.

 

[Seilerbird]

Then there's my wife. She's not quite ready to hang up the keys. Turned 62 a few weeks after my 83rd. If she can get comfortable driving the RV, maybe a much shorter one, then who knows. Hopefully I can sit back and enjoy the scenery a bit more. That's the immediate goal. Bottom line, I'm not ready to hang up the keys.

A long RV is just as easy to drive as a short one.

 

[garyb1st]

A long RV is just as easy to drive as a short one.

True. My concern is the shorter RV will not drive as well as our Pace. The plan is to rent a small one for a few days to see how she like driving it. After that we'll buy a short one or I'll continue driving the Pace.

 

[SargeW]

Plenty of 20-25' class C available for rental. Also cheaper than a B.

 

[winona1]

Haven’t thought about hanging up the keys but know I’ll quit when Winona the RV dies. I did hang up the reins when I had to put my horse down. Finding another steady Eddie is hard, and I don’t bounce anymore.

 

[Firstime RVer]

Probably approaching the point where we'll be hanging up the keys but probably have a few seasons left in our travels. The crew that we traveled with is evolving and we're getting on in years, so trips are getting shorter and less complicated. Life goes on and we'll deal with it as it comes.
Enjoy it while it lasts.
Safe travels and all the best.