Cardiomyopathy at 45, defibrillator at 52, heart transplant at 56. Bought first MH at 58. Don't dwell on what you have had but look forward to what is ahead. Enjoy it all.
Diane has congestive heart failure. Doctors think she was born with it. She was told 9 years ago that without a transplant she would only live about a year. Got with the right doctors and they decided to try meds instead. Worked well until three years ago and her fraction rate was down to 5%, average is 65%. Went through another transplant evaluation and at the last minute a new pacemaker was okayed by the FDA. It has three leads rather than the normal two, the third going to the damaged side of her heart. They hoped for maybe 25-35%. Miraculously her last echo showed 55%. She now mows 6 acres, works in the yard, takes care of the animals and does most anything she wants. Still gets tired but amazes everyone with her energy. She's anxiously looking forward to my retirement and our planned full-timing.
"BIG BOB" & DIANE:
Big Mac & Sarah (Retired Greyhounds)
2005 Prowler Regal AX6 365BSQS
2005 F-350 Lariat Crew Cab 4x4, DRW, 8'bed, 6.0 P/S Diesel,
Veterans, the reason we will always be "FOREVER FREE".
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I had a silent heart attack in 2001 and had a quadruple bypass in April 2001. I tell every woman I know to watch the warning signs they hit you and you don't even realize it. If its a pain you never had before especially on your left side don't waste time go and have it checked. I am doing well now but it was an experience I don't want to repeat but will if I have to. I was only 46 years old and it aged me considerably. I also have diabetes with lots of complications so that doesn't help. I am traveling now because I know in a few years I won't be able to. So don't wait enjoy life now because it could be taken away in a nanosecond. God Bless
Dennis and Jane
1 Jack Russel Terrier = "Ruger"
1996 Dodge Ram 3500 Cummins Diesel 4x4
35' Hitchhiker Discovery/2 slides
Full Timing It and Loving It
This past Feb I had a cart cath after I failed stress test and they found 2 arteries had closed back up but 3 were great.
They told me I had so much scare tissue that I may not survive another bypass operation so now I am on some meds.. also they can not do stints or angioplasty..
Had a double bypass at age 41, a quadruple 18 yr. later in 2001. Have never had a heart attack, so the pump is in good shape as long as I can keep the plumbing running free & clear. At age 41 I thought I wouldn't live to see all 4 of my kids through high school. They're not only all through high school, but college as well, married & with careers of their own, also 6 grandkids. God is good!
2001 Ford Excursion V 10
2003 Jayco Designer 31FKS
Twin Honda Eu2000 gen sets
I had a double by-pass in 1997. Have been in the hospital three times since then for by-pass related problems. Six weeks ago, the latest in-hospital session, they told me that one of the original by-pass vessels was only doing 30% on what it was supposed to be pumping. And that I now had a leaking heart valve. That was the bad news. The good news was that they could contol it by adjusting all the medicine I was taking daily.
But I finally decided to make RV'ing a little easier on myself. So I had Camping World install a HWH Leveling System two days ago. I probably should have done it a long time ago, but better late than never.
Wife has 2 mechanical valve replacement in 1971, pacemaker 1996, 2 new mechanical valves, 3 bypass in 1999. Also had a stroke and many TIA's.
We are in Florida for the winter and spend about 6 weeks in the RV during the summer. We have been in 48 states and much of Canada with the heart issues. It slows us down, but has not stopped the RV Life.
Like my fathr, have an enlarged heart, and am a Diabetic. Circulation problems, but no heart attack. Told that as long as I take care of myself, eat right, work out and so forth, the chances are good. But I have found that my fantacies were once of a intimate nature, but now are of a Whopper Hambuger.
I was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure last summer at 35 years old with an ejection factor of 14%. Symtoms appeared and I was diagnosed just days after buying my truck and while still looking for a trailer. This is my first setup. A 97 K2500HD Ext cab, 5.7L, 4L80E tranny, 4.10 gears and Prodigy brake controller. I didn't intend to do much with it so an older tow vechile in mint condition seemed appropriate for what little use I had planned at the time. What I didn't know until recently reading these forms was I should have got a LWB. Yesterday I purchased an old but very clean 87 20ft Prowler and will be heading out this Friday if all goes well. In all I have a trip planned out that will be about 8600 miles. Have to see it all while I can The setup is pretty sad looking if sitting next to some of the rigs I have seen here but overal comfortable and although I haven't actually pulled it yet, seems as though it would be easy to drive due to its size.
I have pulled small uhaul type cargo trailers, car trailers and trailer mounted construction equipment in years gone by but never a 5th wheel. The truck has completely been gone thru, new brakes, tires, belts, etc. The trailer has new brakes, brake and light wiring, tires and wheel bearings. I think I'm ok mechanically.
Has anyone on here traveled the country with CHF? Any problems moving thru the climate zones such as going from the dryness of Arizonia to the humidity of Florida or into the thin air of the Rockies and such? Any tips for the first time RV'er in general?
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