ut_pupcamper
Utah
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Joined: 02/09/2007
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My son was involved in a very serious car accident on the 25th of March. He was life flighted to the hospital where they lost all his vitals just as they landed and had literally rush him into the emergency room to resuscitate him. During the next 10 hours he underwent emergency surgery to repair his spleen, bladder, bowels, pancreas, liver and kidney and a collapsed lung and to stabilize a shattered pelvis. They had to use 20 units of blood to get him through the surgery. For the first 2 days we stayed in the trauma ICU with him, they had him in a medical coma, sleeping as best we could in chairs. I jokingly said to one of the trauma nurses that I was going to pull my trailer down and park it in the parking lot so we could take shifts getting some sleep. She said that they actually had hook-ups in a certain section of the parking lot just for that reason.
For the next 10 days, and 2 more surgeries, my wife and I were able to be only 2 minutes away from his room, even though we seldom left his side. It made it so that if one of us did try to get some sleep we were able to get back early enough in the morning to catch all the doctors. It was nice to be able to escape and have a little piece of home to take a shower or just to be away from the hospital. Thankfully my son is now home and making a recovery, not a full one but he's alive. Thankfully he had no head trauma, a miracle by all means and one the paramedics and life flight nurses could not believe after seeing the damage to the car.
I am so grateful to a hospital that had the foresight to see the need for something like this. It really was a comfort and an escape during a very difficult time. Oh and they had wifi in the hospital and keeping up on the forums became a great diversion to the constant beep beep of the alarms from the monitors.
So though it may not have been camping for this alone I am glad I bought a trailer.
Don & Alice
Camping in and around Utah
2013 Rockwood 8286WS Diamond Package 5th Wheel
2003 Ford F350 Lariat Super duty Crew Cab
6 kids 3 grand kids a dog a cat and Titan the killer Chiweenie 
Camping in 2013: 5
Camping in 2012: 19
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pasusan
PA
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Joined: 05/13/2009
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I agree - good foresight for the hospital to offer that. Glad your son is alive - hopefully he will make a full recovery.
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"Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy." JB & GF
Susan & Ben ~
84 Bronco & 90 Award Classic 23 joined with a Hensley Cub
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Joined: 06/20/2009
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Kudos to the hospital, doctors, nurses and staff.......on many levels!!!!
Glad your son is home. Hope for a full and quick recovery.
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RoadLife
New Mexico
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Joined: 03/28/2009
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Thank God your son is still alive! It sounds like a miracle.
ROADLIFE
RoadLife USA 2013 Blog
2003 40' Allegro BUS - 2 slides
2013 Ford F150 XLT 4X4 OffRoad 2009 RAV4
Shasta - Australian Shepherd; Boomer - Brittany
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mtnbiker1096
Idaho Falls, ID
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Joined: 09/26/2004
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I have seen a few hospitals, my local one included that have an RV section for just that reason. I cant imagine what you went through but I too am glad that someone thought ahead to make such a service available.
Derek
___________________________________________________________
1994 Chevy Suburban
1976 25' El Dorado
Me, Wife, 2 Boys, 2 Girls, 1 Lab, 1 Yorkie = Loads of Fun!
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sdianel
Tampa, FL
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Joined: 07/24/2005
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Hope your son makes a speedy recovery. God Bless you and your family.
My son had brain surgery in Oklahoma City at Mercy Hospital in the winter during an ice and snow storm. We stayed at the hospital with hookups for 5 days. So we fully understand how you feel about having the trailer to rest. You need your strength to help him get well. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lonny & Diane
2004 Country Coach Allure 33' "Big Blue"
Towing 2008 Chev Colorado 4x4
Semper Fi
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usmc616
Orange County, New York
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A TT may come in handy in some very different circumstances. In this case it worked out great for you. May your son fully recover.
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Joe,Joyce 4 kids & 3 dogs
2004 Ford Excursion LTD 4x4 V-10 3.73 Gears, Hellwig Swaybar, Bilstein Shocks & Steering Stabilizer, Roadmaster Active Suspension, Super Duty Tow Mirrors
Reese Dual Cam & Prodigy Brake Controller
2010 Jayco G2 32BHDS.
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anaro
Mebane, NC
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Joined: 01/16/2011
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Glad to hear your son is doing better. I hope he continues to improve to the point everything will be back to normal. It is wonderful when hospitals do that but many city hospitals are unable to do so and will contract with different hotels for discounted rates. I know when I worked in the ICU (I have worked in trauma, cardiac and neuro), I used to have a hard time convincing family to go home and get some sleep. They wanted to stay at the bedside. The need for you to get some sleep during this time is important so that you can be there for him when he is well enough to go home. It is always easier to get family to go get this much needed sleep when they can stay so near the hospital. I am glad you were able to do this and be there for him when he came home.
2009 Ford F250 Lariat Crew Cab 6.4L diesel 4WD
2011 Crossroads Zinger ZT26BL
Reese Dual Cam
4 nights camped in 2013!
21 nights camped in 2012!
27 nights camped in 2011!
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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Joined: 06/16/2004
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Glad your son made it!!!!!!!
My mom was driving their Class C and had to swerve to avoid Oscar Grope in his Belchfire 8 one day. Dad was walking back from the potty at the time. Mom spent about a week in the RV hooked up to hospital power while they fixed up dad. One reason I advocate always wearing seat belts when vehicle is in motion.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
2010 Outback 230RS Toybox, 5390# UVW, 6800# Loaded
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories
I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
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weathershak
Not sure, I need to look out the window
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Joined: 12/11/2006
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Glad your son is home safe. We wish him a speedy recovery. He is very lucky to have loving parents at his side. My hats off to the Hospital and any Hospital that keeps RVers in mind. It is nice being steps away instead of blocks away at a Motel.
My DW and son were hospitalized for 2 months. I did not have that option and the added expense of lodging killed us financially.
Full timing it since July 2012 My pics
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