We are back(ing)

dennis&stella · November 3, 2016

We retired sold the house and most of our stuff and went full time in 2011.. We had to stop traveling in late 2014 due to a progressive kidney disease I had hat was diagnosed 25 years earlier. We bought a house sold our DRV fiver and truck and settled in for the long term, prparing for dialysis for the rest of my life.

A year ago I was very lucky and received a kidney transplant that was a 100% match. W just bought a new to us class A and jeep and are going to resume our travels at least part time.

SInce we had not had a class a and had not done any RVing for a couple of years, we took a driving course at Lazy Days in Tuscon. Back in the DRV was the most stressful thing we did in our previous travels. Some times I could back into a difficult spot on the first try, other time even in an easy to backing spot, I was the campground entertainment. Our driving instructor suggested that my wife be the primary backer with our class A, with the reasoning that if I was backing and hit anything it would be my fault and if my wife was backing and hit something it would also be my fault. He also suggested trying my wife backing with my directing using only hand signals.

With nothing to lose we tried my wife backing, with me directing and to our surprise it works. After a month of traveling she has backed into all of our campsites and has nailed it every time. She is also doing half of the driving and so far it is stress free compared to our years in the DRV.

We look forward to revisiting a lot af our favorite spots west of the Mississippi, and some places we missed on our first round of traveling. We have been up the east coast from Florida into Canada and will spend our remaining travel time in the west.

The Fort Worth Transplant Instutite got me transplanted 2 1/2 months after being listed. if you know anyone who needs a kidney transplant, tell them to contact Plaza hospital in Fort Worth.

dennis&stella

coachmac9 · November 3, 2016

Congratulations on receiving a new "lease on life"!! Thanks also for sharing the info about the transplant center...you never know who might see your post and need it or share it with someone who is in need!!!

Aggie79-82a · November 3, 2016

It is always great to read good news. Congratulations on being healthy again. Enjoy your new time on the road.

2gypsies · November 3, 2016

Excellent news!

sandsys · November 3, 2016

Way to go!

After years of directing Dave in backing I started wondering if it would be better for him to direct me since he has better spatial sense than I do. But, we came off the road before we got to find out how that would work. Good that you figured it out sooner.

Linda Sand

Al F · November 3, 2016

My wife never learned how to back a trailer and had very little desire to learn. Early on in our TT and 5th wheel days, she would direct me while backing into campsites. One problem we had with her giving directions, is getting the trailer positioned in the optimal place for door openings, slides far enough away from obstacles, etc.

The solution was to put her at the steering wheel and my giving the directions. Using our cell phones or walkie talkies I would give her specific instructions. Always while holding the steering wheel at the bottom, turn it one full turn to the left. Now back up. You are doing fine, keep coming. OK, now stop, turn the steering wheel 1 and a half turns to the right, now back up, etc, etc. If at anytime she didn't hear my voice she was to step on the brakes and stop till she could hear me. Her only responsibility was to be sure the front of the truck didn't turn into a tree. She used to say she could just close her eyes and follow the instructions.

This worked superbly well for us. No shouting or disputes.

Unfortunately she is no longer able to drive. Her back problems got to the point, several years ago, that she no longer knows where her feet are without looking at them so it is hard to move from the gas peddle to the brake. Now I do all the driving. With parking I may get out and in several times to position the RV where it needs to be.

Kirk W · November 3, 2016

Welcome back, Dennis! Thank you for sharing your story. We Texans have to stick together, especially as age comes sneaking up on us! Can we plan to meet you in Tucson at Escapade next March?