Gosh, it's been an interesting few weeks. I introduced myself here late last summer (2009) after I purchased a used Shamrock 23RSS. We just love our little rig and use it every weekend when we can.
For some time, I've been having hip troubles. I work for a SoFL hospice and spend my days getting in and out of my car to visit patients. I found it really difficult to climb in and out of the queen slide, so I put a little stool there to make it easier. Was getting steroid injections, which helped a lot, but also caused cataracts. Had lens implant surgery and got them fixed. Was scheduled for hip replacements on Nov 1 and Nov 15. In October, my employer brought in a Mammovan to make it easier for us girls to screen, and to do their part for breast cancer awareness month. Mine came back abnormal. Since then, it's been a whirlwind. I have stage 3 cancer and had a bilateral mastectomy on the 8th. No new hips for me this year, but months of chemo then radiation since nodes were involved.
Months ago, we made an appointment to put the Shamrock in the shop for a look over and a few little repairs. That was supposed to be a week ago Saturday. I was still recovering from surgery and in no shape to help carry everything into the house, so we postponed. I'm supposed to start round one chemo this Wednesday. I enjoy spending Thanksgiving at home every year, but this year we decided to go to our favorite little camping spot and join our friends for a pot luck turkey dinner.
My car was in the driveway and it wouldn't start because it's been sitting for weeks. Roadside assistance came after we couldn't jump start it, got her cranking and told me my battery was bad. Off I went to Auto Zone. It took hours to get the battery out. Got home and the trailer was loaded and hitched, so off we went. About 45 minutes from home, we hit the sugar cane fields east of Belle Glade FL. My partner Mel let out a string of bad words and pulled over. A tire on the driver side of the rig blew. We were going to get them checked/replaced since it's a 2007 and I had no record of the previous owner changing them. Then I had dread because I had not purchased a jack.
Mel made a whole bunch of calls and while walking around the trailer, noticed that the front tire on the other side had also separated but did not blow. Roadside assistance said they do not support travel trailers. I called the local RV dealr and told them of our situation. They gave me the phone number of the tire dealer they use. We called them and they had our tires in stock. I had them bring four. In all, we sat on the road for three hours and got away with just over four hundred to change out the tires, with service and tip. The spare was also bad, so they took one tire that was still good and mounted that under the cover.
So, sorry for the long story. I have to shop for a jack ASAP because I never want to go through that kind of stress again. Any good recommendations?
It was a lovely peaceful and relaxing weekend otherwise with lots of good food and nice balmy temperatures. I have lots of reservations made for camping over the next few months. Now it's a matter of waiting to see how sick the chemo makes me. I'm very comfortable in the camper but not sure how well I'll do in the truck for 2-3 hours each way.
Best loved friend ever!!! (greatly missed)
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