No longer a lurker!

[janalee]

I have been enjoying all the postings on this wonderful forum...and I do mean all of them! Now it's time to introduce myself. I am Janalee from NE Pa..an avid rver since my popup days in 1985..I have since bought and sold 19 rvs and they were all loved! I just love having a new toy to fix up and play with..then on to another.! My DH and I have traveled extensively and have spent the last 15 winters down south. I read with interest a lot of the different places we also have visited---lots of great memories and wonderful friends we have made. However, we now face a crossroad..DH has dementia..from anesthesias during some rough surgeries..he is 80 next week -I am 71 and still in fair shape.I have always done all the driving ..he was my navigator..that part of him has disappeared. I so want to head south at least for three months in Dec. My kids say GO..I have mixed feelings about it. He is no help whatsoever in a breakdown (ask how I know) and has flooded our camper this past week..but I have always handled the maintence issues and repairs quite well.he is very forgetful but not a wanderer..but he enjoys word games and meeting people...Has anyone here faced a dilemma like this? Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated..

[mitch5252]

..

Welcome, Janalee! We're glad you decided to not lurk anymore!!

That is one large number in the RVs bought and sold department! You are certainly ambitious.

Sorry about your husband - you have a very rough road ahead of you...I know. I lived it, too. As George's (also 80) dementia worsened, I had to do everything, and also keep an eye on him and his insulin dependent diabetes. No easy task. We only camped twice, that I can remember, after his cognitive issues became apparent to outsiders. Both times were difficult on me; but I had the blessing of those trips being with the incredible women of this Forum. Their compassion and understanding know no bounds.

I'm not sure if we could have continued camping in our little trailer if he had lived long enough for the dementia to worsen. I tend to think not. Luckily, he wasn't a wanderer, either! He only left me 8 months ago and I'm still working with my doc to get me on the right meds so I don't cry like a little baby when typing things like this!

You'll find great support here. We'll cheer you on as you face new adventures, and we'll cry with you in your pain. God bless you and keep you strong.

..

[sharon]

Welcome Jana! So very sorry about your hubby, that's gotta be tough. My advice...from someone that hasn't had to deal with that, but has watched another of our much loved member's with a similar problem, as long as he doesn't pose a danger to you or himself and you feel like you can handle whatever may come up, go while you still can. You're the only one that can assess what you feel capable of handling.

But in the meantime, glad to have you aboard! Join in whenever the urge strikes!! And we love pictures!!

[sharon]

OK Mitch, send me some of your meds, you made me cry, too....

[Dawn309]

I am like Mitch. My DH had dementia and was an insulin dependent diabetic also. I took care of all his medical needs daily. He also aspirated on thin liquids and would quit breathing at any moment after having his lungs shut down and had to be put on life support twice over 7 years. All that being said, I too had to do everything when it came to the RV after a while except drive it. I paid a friend to drive the 5th wheel to the CG while I pulled the boat. We never took the boat out, it was just an excuse. That would have been way too dangerous. He did not like not being trusted to drive, but there was no way he could. He accepted it with his friend pulling the RV. He was on medication for the dementia and was very cognitive during the day. We took our last trip in March in the RV before he passed in May. I believe he enjoyed the trip even though it was very tiring for him and he slept a lot in between visiting with our friends. We carried his large oxygen concentrator with us along with his motorized chair as he had mobility issues too.

If you think both of you can handle the trip(s), you are still building memories.

[avalen]

Welcome, and as you can see a few of the ladies know all about the shoes you wear. These gals are fabulous.

[janalee]

Oh my gosh...I am NOT alone after all in my present life! And it seems you gals had it even worse! No one here at home has this situation so they can 't possibly know how lonely you can be...even in a crowd. Anyway, I have lots of repair and redo experience to share with you gals --but you all seem pretty self sufficient and very savvy! My hat is off to you. Right now I am dealing with a soggy underbelly from the flooding so as zoonas I figure that out I will participate more. Thanks for the warm welcome to your wonderful group...PS...I can 't seem to view some of the pics..just a blank box with either an X in it or a Q.mark.
By the way, I presently tow a 2002 25ft.. Sunline Solaris with a Chev conversion van..downsized from a 2001 31ft class C towing a Saturn..tbis is my seventh Sunny TT..guess I like them!

[cpatinjones]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

[WickedLady]

Welcome! As for the pics: try right clicking on the red X. That should bring up a list of options. Choose "show picture".

[retiredhappy]

Welcome to our forum. As you can see some of our ladies have been through what you're going through. You couldn't ask for a more supportive group. Any questions - Just ask. If you're feeling lonely just jump on the forum and we'll be there for you.

[Bethers]

Welcome,

I'm so sorry about your husband's illness. How difficult that must be (as others have already shared their experiences, and yes, Mitch, you made me cry, too!) If your children say go - and you feel capable to handle whatever may arise, I think, too, you should do it. It seems to be what you want - and you never know if you'll be able to do it the next time.

Good luck to you and glad to have you with us.

[rvgrammy1953]

Welcome to the forum.....my heart and thoughts are with you as you go through this....I have not lost a spouse to dementia, but did loose my Mom to that terrible disease last summer......Only you can make the decision to head south again this year....but sounds like your family is supportive and now you have all of us here....keep us posted on what you decide...we are with you, either way....

[ellenw]

Welcome, Janalee. So far I haven't had your struggles. My heart goes out to you and all my sisters here who have had to watch their beloved partners fall away from them. Nineteen RVs - OMGosh!!

Anyway, I have lots of repair and redo experience to share with you gals --but you all seem pretty self sufficient and very savvy!

Wait, no, I'm not self-sufficient yet or savvy. Share! Share!

Right now I am dealing with a soggy underbelly from the flooding so as zoonas I figure that out I will participate more.

Okay, this one I can help with. Stop lying on the damp floor and your belly won't be so soggy, under or otherwise.

[janalee]

Loved your response ellenw!! Thank you all for your thoughts and caring messages..as soon as I get my TT back together I will be participating more....Janalee

[Getupngo]

Welcome, Janalee. You have discovered what I have learned over time ...there is nothing we go through that hasn't been experienced in one form or another by one or more of our Forum sisters. Few of us emerge unscathed by tragedy and challenge by this time in our lives.
Again, welcome!