MY HOSPITAL VISIT….OH DEAR:((

ON OUR WAY TO TUCSON ARIZONA

Sure was a frosty early morning start to the day as I made my way around in the dark feeding confused Chickens and sleepy Ranch dogs.  This was our morning to be in Tucson so the Bunch was up early.  Jeep was completely covered in frost so fired it up to thaw it out.  Beautiful crescent Moon played hide and seek with a wispy cloud cover as we waved good-bye to Pheebs and Motor, slipping out the gate at 6:43 a.m.

COULD YOU TURN OUT THAT LIGHT DAD, I’M TRYING TO SLEEP IN THIS MORNING

I was looking forward to our early morning drive all the way to I-10.  I knew how the fiery sunrise was going to light up the Valley floor and surrounding Mountains.  I wasn’t disappointed and how rewarding it was to see Mother Nature at her dawning finest.

Traffic was lighter than expected so we had no problem rolling westward right into the southern end of Tucson where the hospital is located.  We are a tad familiar with this area so had no problem driving right up to the University of Arizona’s Medical Clinic Center.  Spotted an ‘In N Out’ burger place on the way in and made a mental note of it’s whereabouts for our way out.

Lots of room in the parking lot and we walked through the door right into the clinic end of the Hospital.  Reception had us fill out a lot of paper work which I do not remember much about, but here’s what I do remember.  The young girl at the desk asked for our address and I told her, Canada,  “Wow” she said, “I’ve never met anyone from Canada before.”  My words back to her were something like, “well, we’re not much different looking than you folks here in America:))”  That didn’t seem to go over too well so I let Kelly do the rest of the talking.

Being Canadians, we continued to run into more paper work and insurance related stumbling blocks but with Kelly’s patience we were able to get through it all.  I probably would have just turned around and left again.  We were surprised to have to pay a deposit fee of $150 right up front.

The Urologist guy was in surgery but we got to talk with his number 1 Nurse Practitioner who turned out to be very pleasant, patient and knowledgeable lady.  Her first words after entering the examination room with all my files was something to the effect, “Boy, have you got a Whopper of a Kidney Stone.  I liked her realistic attitude right away.  She then went on to tell us that it is not just one stone I have, but several, and in different places.  And, that’s not all she told us:((

WAITING IN THE EXAMINATION ROOM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TUCSON’S MEDICAL CLINIC

Cat Scans are very revealing things so she had a full report on not only my kidney stone status but other things going on in my abdomen as well.  Looks like I am going to have a very interesting medical summer coming up when we get home.  That ought to finally fix all my blah blah complaining about my boring summer days.  Now, how nice is that eh:))

Back to the Stone….NP said there is no way anything other than surgery is going to get that boulder out of me & it will likely involve a laser, amongst other things.  Right now, the stone has temporarily and apparently shifted to a non painful area.  She prescribed a muscle relaxer called, Tamsulosin which I am to begin tonight.  Said it is very unusual to see a Kidney Stone this size and she almost seemed a little excited by that.

I SWEAR THIS LITTLE BANTY ROOSTER IS STALKING ME……

Here’s the plan we are hoping for……..  We are all going to cross our fingers and hope this large stone remains where it is until we can get back to Ontario in the Spring.  I will then immediately have to set in motion plans for having this large stone and smaller stones removed.  If the stone shifts, sending me back into the Hospital I may be faced with Emergency Surgery.  Not knowing how our Insurance Company is going to react to all this it is going to be a real crap shoot to see who might have to pick up the tab for all the medical expenses.  Them, or us.  

So, long story short…..we are now faced with a slight dilemma.  Do we leave here as planned next month, moving further west to some of our favorite but more isolated boondocking sites or do we stay put in case something goes ‘bump’ in the night.  Sounds like that University of Tucson hospital is the best place to be if things turn sour before we can get home.  Anyway, it is something for us to mull over in the next couple days.  Personally, I think we should keep on rolling and enjoy the rest of our winter here in the great Southwest.

THE DISTANT SNOW CAPPED HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS

I do consider myself extremely fortunate to have reached the age of 67 without any serious medical problems in my life. Just the usual cuts and bruises. Don’t seem to even get colds anymore. No surgeries or prolonged stays in hospital and no pills of any kind except for one I take for Arthritis in my legs every few days. Sure can’t complain now just because I have a few normal aging things going on. So, no complaints from me Folks…..I have been a very lucky fellow indeed all these years:))

Hopefully, I will have something more interesting and RV related for Thursday’s blog other than medical stuff.

Upon leaving the hospital today we made tracks for the ‘In N Out’ burger joint we had spotted near the hospital.  Hadn’t eaten anything all morning so how great it was to sink my face into a Double Double burger.  We split the fries and washed it all down with water.  Seems I have to accept water now as my newest best friend in dealing with my current situation.  Water is soooooo boring……..

 

KELLY REALLY GETS INTO HER ‘IN N OUT’ BURGER

More than once in past blogs I have given my opinions on people using rude or sarcastic remarks in comments or blogs.  I particularly liked Deb’s recent post about sarcasm and the types of people who use that approach.  You can find Deb’s post at, FIND AN OUTLET when she writes about, ‘The Difference between Satire and Sarcasm’.  Thanks Deb, my feelings exactly and I also found your reader’s comments most refreshing.

Two new Blog Followers to welcome tonight.  BILLYBOB200138 climbed aboard our travels Tuesday and JOHN swung up the RV boarding plank just today.  Welcome aboard fellas:))

I’M SORRY CORA, I DIDN’T MEAN TO HURT YOUR FEELINGS

GROANER’S CORNER:((  There's a little fellow named Junior who hangs out at Tim Alley's Grocery Store. The owner Tim doesn't know what Junior's problem is, but the boys like to tease him. They say he is two bricks shy of a load. To prove it, sometimes they offer Junior his choice between a nickel and a dime. He always takes the nickel, they say, because it's bigger.
One day after Junior grabbed the nickel, Tim got him off to one side and said, "Junior, those boys are making fun of you. They think you don't know the dime is worth more than the nickel. Are you grabbing the nickel because it's bigger, or what?"
... Junior said, "Well, if I took the dime, they'd quit doing it!"

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