Grounded. Itching to Go. Soon.

[mstephens]

Just after we got moved to the desert, me dear wife busted her leg. Well sure, I feel bad for her, but it also meant we were grounded, and during the hottest part of the year!

You really know how much you miss your tin can when you can't get out and use it. We haven't been out for 8 weeks! That's the longest we've been off the road since we bought our trailer 18 months ago.

Looks like we'll take a short "test the leg" trip in late August then do a rally in September. Thankfully, with this move to the desert, we plan on being able to go out year round.

I love that trailer. What is it about these things? :-)

[Foiled Again]

Camp in the driveway! Build a ramp if she can't manage the steps.

Camp at the neighborhood shopping center - one with a nice restaurant - and have them deliver to your awning. Set up a table and chair with a leg rest for the wife.

Of course if she's in a wheelchair... be patient. Time heals all wounds.

Paula

[mstephens]

Now you're thinking! I especially like the part where the restaurant brings the food out to the trailer.

My first trip to Miami Beach several years ago had me on the Inland Waterway one evening. I loved the idea that boats, er yachts, I should say, motored up to a restaurant dock and the restaurant served them on the boat! That was cool. So, why not a trailer?

[daveswenson]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

Camp in the driveway! Build a ramp if she can't manage the steps.

Camp at the neighborhood shopping center - one with a nice restaurant - and have them deliver to your awning. Set up a table and chair with a leg rest for the wife.

Of course if she's in a wheelchair... be patient. Time heals all wounds.

Paula

That's brilliant. There's a Deli in Bellevue with pastrami to die for. I'm camping there tomorrow.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

Of course if she's in a wheelchair... be patient. Time heals all wounds.

Narrow doors and hallways aren't exactly friendly to crutches, either. Found that out the hard way, after foot surgery gone wrong left me on crutches for 14 weeks (and taking intravenous antibiotics three times a day for just as long).

[time2play]

Originally Posted by daveswenson

That's brilliant. There's a Deli in Bellevue with pastrami to die for. I'm camping there tomorrow.

Do tell! Which deli? My husband loves pastrami sandwiches.

[mstephens]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Narrow doors and hallways aren't exactly friendly to crutches, either. Found that out the hard way, after foot surgery gone wrong left me on crutches for 14 weeks (and taking intravenous antibiotics three times a day for just as long).

Good point. She wouldn't be able to do the steps in an AS on crutches.

She will be allowed to "hobble" on the bum peg beginning next week. From there, walking should be pretty soon and we will be able to roll again.

[spinney]

Just do what this guy is doing/did and widen the door ha. Doesn't seem like an easy job to make these things wheelchair accessible. Hopefully she can do some hopping when the legs gets better.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by mstephens

She will be allowed to "hobble" on the bum peg beginning next week. From there, walking should be pretty soon and we will be able to roll again.

Hobbling is a major step up— so to speak. Even if one has to use a cane for balance and support, not needing to use both hands just to walk is a significant milestone toward full self-reliance. You guys may not have to wait all that long before you can roll; as long as the doctor clears her to go camping (be sure to ask him about it). It should be possible with a walking cast or a post-op surgical boot (what I called a "Frankenboot" when I had to wear one), as long as you stick to camping in areas with easy terrain.

[mstephens]

Thanks Protagonist. Yeah, we won't be doing any rugged camping (not that we ever do anyway). We're just going to go hang out at an RV park somewhere near the coast to get out of the heat for a couple days.

She's in the Frankenboot now - but not weight bearing. That comes next week. Then she can go to a cane shortly thereafter.

To do the stairs safely, you have to be at the point of full weight bearing. I wouldn't ask her to do anything unsafe or painful! I can see the light - we'll be on the road soon enough I think. I was just amazed at how much I miss rolling.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by mstephens

Good point. She wouldn't be able to do the steps in an AS on crutches.

She will be allowed to "hobble" on the bum peg beginning next week. From there, walking should be pretty soon and we will be able to roll again.

Silly boy, buy a new Eddie Bauer for her! use a ramp!
Easy
Hey it's what I did!
(After I wrecked the Safari. wah.)

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

Silly boy, buy a new Eddie Bauer for her! use a ramp!

Easy
Hey it's what I did!
(After I wrecked the Safari. wah.)

As the saying goes, that's a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

I can't speak for the OP's missus, but when I was recovering, I needed the challenges of getting up and down the stairs and doing other normal daily activities for myself while mobility-impaired. Without those challenges, I wouldn't have been nearly as motivated to accomplish my physical rehabilitation.

Every challenge is a pain in the patootie, but every challenge overcome is a joy that's worth celebrating.

[CDONA]

Try sitting on the floor level step at the doorway, and slide in on the bum, then get help off the floor, , ,

[mstephens]

Originally Posted by CDONA

Try sitting on the floor level step at the doorway, and slide in on the bum, then get help off the floor, , ,

he he - - that's how she currently gets in and out of the house!

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by mstephens

he he - - that's how she currently gets in and out of the house!

With crutches, as long as you've got a handrail on one side, it's easy. Tuck both crutches under your arm on the side opposite the handrail, as if trying to use both at once on one side. Go down one step with the crutch, then follow with the good leg, holding the bad leg slightly out front. To go up the stairs, similar, but go up with the good leg, then the crutch, and hold the bad leg to the rear.

I did the bum-bouncing thing one time only, and then got my physical therapist to show me the two-crutches-under-one-arm trick. Bouncing up the stairs on your bum is tough, when you have to drag your crutches along for the ride.

[Fly at Night]

So sorry to hear.

Hope the leg heals quickly and you are both on your way!

[NevadaGeo]

Originally Posted by mstephens

Good point. She wouldn't be able to do the steps in an AS on crutches.

She will be allowed to "hobble" on the bum peg beginning next week. From there, walking should be pretty soon and we will be able to roll again.

You'd best get busy and build some steps that she can use then. Something that you can put in your tow vehicle or into the trailer while you're travling, but sturdy and wide for a wheel chair. And ramp. We'll be listening for the results now.