Monday, June 20, 2011

#11-23 Medford, OR 5-29 thru 6-17-2011

We headed to Medford on May 29th, I thought that was when I had made our reservations for Valley of the Rogue Park. When we arrived I found out we weren’t supposed to be there until the next day. So they put us in a space that was available until we could move to our reserved space the next day. I was not feeling very well—thought I had food poisoning. We went to son, Jeff’s and family for dinner that night, but I didn’t eat too much. He made BBQ tri-tip. It was good and I was feeling a little better.

The next day was moving day, so we moved one space! I was still hurting and took a vicadin to get through the move and then went to bed. By Monday morning I knew it wasn’t any thing I had eaten. So, Frank took me into Immediate Care in Medford. I was in such pain I couldn’t sit still and had to keep pacing. They put me into a room and started running tests. First thought I might have a urinary track infection, and ruled that out, then they did blood tests and we had to wait for those results. Then she did an exam on the table and pushed in on my right side. WOW, did that hurt!!!! Maybe it was my appendix, so over to Providence Hospital for at CT scan. By that time it was 5:30 and we hadn’t eaten a thing since breakfast. So while we waited for the results of the CT scan we ate something in the cafeteria. All I could get down was a little soup and crackers, and those of you who have had meals with me know that I love my food!

The tests finally came back and I did not have a bad appendix. It was my gall bladder and they said it was “hot,” meaning it was really infected. So immediately they admitted me and called a surgeon. Thank goodness the Dr. at immediate care had given me something for the pain. I would not have been able to get through the CT scan and all the prep for surgery without it. The Dr. got there about 7 p.m.

We called Jeff and Kirsten and they came over and took care of Frank—by this time it was dark outside. Gidget hadn’t been fed or out of the RV since morning and I was worried about her, and about Frank driving alone at night, and anything else except my upcoming surgery. The RV is parked about 12-15 miles away from the hospital, Jeff and Kirsten are about 4 miles away. They were wonderful. Every thing is happening so fast. My surgeon is a little oriental lady and couldn’t have been a nicer Dr. I was in surgery by 9 p.m. and out by 10:30. The removal of the gall bladder was all done arthroscopically. She told us it was very infected and full of tiny gall stones. She said there must have been a hundred of them. By midnight everyone was home. So I missed grand daughter, Marissa’s 16th birthday.

The next day was Hunter’s graduation. I kept telling the Dr. that I wanted to go see him graduate and she worked it out so I could be released from the hospital by noon. I went back to the RV, took a nap and by 5 pm we were at Jeff and Kirsten’s for dinner and then on to the graduation. Below is Grandson, Hunter, ready for graduation.

100_8142

I brought the pain pills, Percocet, and off we went. It rained while we were having dinner, and we said a little prayer that it would stop for graduation because all the graduates were seated on the football field! We were in the bleachers under the roof, but still outside. Even in June it can get cold, and wet in Medford, OR. We had our stadium seats and a blanket to wrap around our legs as well as heavy jackets. We made it through all the speeches and watched Hunter receive his diploma. By then both of us were cold and we left just before they turned their tassels. Below are some pictures we took from the bleachers.

100_8143100_8145

100_8147100B8162

Hunter’s class, his announcement program and ready to walk across the stage to receive his diploma. The rain stopped, the sun came out and it was a beautiful commencement program. And we didn’t have to miss it!!! Thanks Doc.

The next couple of days we stayed put and I rested a lot. The weekend was coming up and we had lots planned. Linda, my friend from the Oregon coast, drove over (about a 3 hour drive) and we went out for pizza with son Mark and family on Sat night, then Sunday we all went to Mark’s uncle’s retirement party. (I’m still not feeling 100 per cent and forgot to take any pictures) There were lots of the Martin family (my first marriage’s family) there and we were able to visit with them. It was good. Linda has known the Martin family for over 30 years. Her youngest daughter and my youngest son were best friends at 2 and 3 years old.

The next day Linda had to leave and get back to Depoe Bay, OR. We have to stay around until Wednesday for my Dr. appointment. For some reason, when we are in Medford we really stay busy. At the Oregon State Park you can only stay 14 days in a row in each month, so because of the surgery and Dr. appointment we had to find another place to park the RV until we were ready to leave. We found a nice park, right across the river from Valley of the Rogue State Park where we stayed for the extra 5 days. It worked out perfect.

Then we are on to Coburg,OR where the RV has an appointment to have a check-up.