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79nTOW · 10-05-2016, 08:13 PM

So proud of you and all you accomplished. Enjoyed reading all of your updates ...people,places and things.

That part of US is beautiful, we have enjoyed it several times. You need to see Yellowstone and the Tetons.

Take care of your knee...so you can keep on keeping on!!

Take care.
Predeta

OTRA15 · 10-06-2016, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColoradoLady

Peter, did you mean "dog is with me" or "God is with me"? I hope both! Thanks. Evelyn.

Both!

I used to have a problem with my right knee when driving also, but only in a certain car. Figured out that, in that particular car, with my foot on the accelerator, if my posture in the seat was not good, the right leg would kind of roll over further to the right, which I guess put some unusual rotational forces on the knee. The center console was not close enough to stop this lazy action. It would take days of not driving that car for the knee to stop being painful.

I ended up rigging up a bumper on the center console, which forced the right knee and leg to stay more vertical, and parallel to my spine (if you can picture this). Better back posture in the seat helped also, so I ended up raising the seat up, and tipping the seat back forward a bit. In effect, the new driving position was more like a bus/truck driver?

No more knee pain from that car . . .

In our newer van, I do the same things with the seat to avoid a repeat, but so far have not needed to rig up a bumper. The driving posture is more vertical than in the old car, so this helps just on its own IMO.

BTW if you have power seats, doing these kinds of adjustments often during a trip also keeps the blood moving, and helps with staying alert IMO.

Glad you are enjoying being home. Hope the knee clears up. Maybe try some different postures/positions everywhere to keep things aligned?

Peter

PS -- A good recliner and ice therapy can help I have found after a few different surgeries.

Gearheart · 10-06-2016, 05:27 AM

Good to hear from you again. Hope the knee gets sorted out soon ice is good.

ColoradoLady · 10-06-2016, 12:14 PM

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the support.

Predeta, I have been to Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier NPs. Enjoyed them all. I do prefer the NW mountainous regions. Grand Tetons and Glacier NPs are in my plans for next summer, providing no forest fires next year.

Gerard, good to hear from you. Say Hi to Laura for me. (Yes, ice does help a bit).

Peter, you are right, in that, my knee does rotate to the right when driving Goliath. There is no way to support it, as there is no console such as we have in our SUVs at home. The captains chairs are free standing. One might expect the seats to be power in the AI, but, unfortunately, they are all manual to position captains chairs. Not easy to adjust.

I had hoped the knee might calm down by now, but, if anything, has worsened. Hopefully, my MD will have some help for me. I cannot take NSAIDS, due to being on blood thinners. Tylenol just takes the edge off. I will not take anything stronger...I hate the side effects.
As said before, getting old sucks...but, better than the alternative.

Lily&Me · 10-06-2016, 12:19 PM

I wonder if a seat cushion would help, Evelyn.

Maggie

OTRA15 · 10-06-2016, 12:38 PM

Your MD or a PT specialist should have some ideas for something to keep the right knee from wandering to the right. Maybe a thin cushion as Maggie said with some kind of raised right wall/barrier? A long Velcro strap looped around the left thigh? All kinds of Rube Goldberg devices come to mind!

Good luck!

ColoradoLady · 10-06-2016, 01:27 PM

Forgot to mention, when at dealer yesterday, I saw a new Basecamp on the lot, only from outside. A bit odd looking, unsure if it was an Airstream, but, it does have the Airstream logo on it. This morning, out of curiosity, I looked it up on Internet, and it looks very austere, and quite different , both inside and outside, from the Bambi 16' sport I owned last year. It appears to be constructed of "economical" materials. I guess if one wants an entry level trailer, I.e., for the young set, it may surfice, but, I would not care for it. No idea of the price on it. Optional tents may give more flexible space...again, for the young set.

mimiandrews · 10-06-2016, 01:41 PM

Suggestion:
Get your doc to refer you to an Occupational Therapist. Those are the folks who help us handle the tasks of daily life when those become challenging due to..... Whatever. Or, as suggested above, a Physical Therapist. I don't know just where your situation lies between those two specialties, but one of them might have just what you need.

As suggested above, a seat cushion with a foam block just to the right of your thigh or knee might work.

Meanwhile, keep going with the ice. I'll keep your knee in my prayers.

ColoradoLady · 10-06-2016, 01:46 PM

Thanks Mimi. Yes, a physical therapist, as well as a foam type cushion with a right block to keep knee in alignment will assist when driving Goliath. I'll look into that.

ColoradoLady · 10-10-2016, 12:23 PM

Just bought a toaster/convection oven for Goliath. $10.00 off at Costco. Oster brand...should be pretty reliable. It will be in sunroom with other supplies till next year travel season.

I should receive a call from dealer service dept. rep today or tomorrow, with info on an approximate time frame. No real rush,except to avoid driving AI home when the snows come.

paiceman · 10-11-2016, 04:06 AM

Evelyn:

I too have knee problems while driving any standard vehicle, my F350 no real issues. MD and Chiro both say it's the angle and that the knee pain starts with my back, which I broke two years ago and still have two herniated discs. So, when driving I now where a special back support belt, purchased from my Chiro and it works well.

Basecamp is about $35,000. The austerity appearance is intentional for the millennials. It is already back ordered out until December.

Bud

ColoradoLady · 10-11-2016, 10:34 AM

Hi Bud. Good hearing from you. I do have an appt with my MD tomorrow. Hoping for some relief!

I did find that the MSRP for the Basecamp is about $35,000 for the base unit and with options, can go to $45,000. Not really an entry level economical unit, IMO. I can see how it will be tempting to those youngsters who are still super active. If I had such an option, and could have afforded it, at age 30 or so, I probably would have gone for it.

Now, at my advanced age, comfort and convenience rules. Love my Goliath!

ColoradoLady · 10-11-2016, 11:02 AM

I had a call from my granddaughter this morning. Melissa, and husband, Jon,and two children are making their way from Durango, Colorado to Lincoln City, Oregon. Jon is being transferred to Lincoln City for his job, working with a cable company. An upwardly mobile opportunity.

This is a big change for them, as Melissa has lived in Durango since age 4. Today, in Idaho Falls, and they are anxious to get into Oregon. They are not camping, are motelling it. They are all so excited for this new adventure and transition in their lives.

I had considered that I would drive Goliath out to visit next summer, but, now, dealing with this knee injury, I am rethinking that plan. Crystal, Melissa's sister lives in Bellview, Washington, and it will be nice to have an opportunity to visit them both. I may consider flying out when I visit. We shall see what future holds.

Also had a call from another granddaughter, who had yet another serious abdominal surgery last Monday and hopes to be released to home tomorrow. She has had quite a difficult summer...beginning first of July, when she had a bowel blockage and subsequent bowel resection, then 3 more admissions for more bowel blockages. This time they did further intestinal resection and removal of gallbladder,which was inflamed and full of large stones. This kid has been put through so much this year. I hope this finally resolves her problems. A lot for a 30 year old. On a positive note, she has been addressing some other serious issues and is making great progress. I am greatful for that!

Parents never stop worrying about our children, and that also extends to our grandchildren as well. Family....the most important factor in our lives!

ColoradoLady · 10-12-2016, 06:22 PM

My MD appt today, re: bum right knee. He did steroid injection, (thank you, my sweet PCP!) also, injected Left shoulder...I ran into an open cabinet corner in Goliath. Had an X-ray of knee, and MD will call with results and look at next plans. Probably PT consult, some sort of brace for knee when on long drives in Goliath. His first impression: severe arthritis, aggravated by extended driving. He says I have about a pound of fluid still on this knee.
I've lost another 5 pounds! Yeah!

Granddaughter will require more surgery....bile is leaking into liver, so a stint will be placed. This kid just can't win! Please, offer up prayers for Nicole! Will be so appreciated! Thank you all, in advance! Evelyn.

duncans · 10-12-2016, 07:20 PM

Hi Colorado Lady and paiceman!

I drove our new-to-us F350 2,750 mi this August, some days abt 500 miles, and my R knee was in terrible pain. I had a lot posterior swelling. I swore it was due to the angle of the seat resulting in a lot of posterior pressure. I, too, have a bum back (like millions of Humans), but don't really see just how that affects the knee...
I am not sure what the answer is. It sure is disappointing to retire, then take the first long trip (with many others, hopefully), then suffer for it. I will be anxious to see what worked for you two.

Susan

ColoradoLady · 10-13-2016, 12:51 PM

Susan, if you have not already done so, I suggest a visit to your MD. That is where you need to begin. Long extended drives are not our friend, especially as we age. Back problems can effect various parts of our body, if nervous system is involved. As with my problem, it appears that degenerative arthritis may be the culprit, which is aggravated by extended driving, and out of alignment of the R knee, deviating to the right. The repetitive motions of gas to brake pedal make it worse.

I am a retired registered nurse, and understand much of the operation of the human body, however, it is the job of the physician to diagnose, order tests, then treat the problem. I have a tendency to "take over" with my own care and diagnostics...part of my class "A" personality....not my best move, as I tend to wait too long before admitting to myself that I can't handle it all! Go to your MD, soon. Good luck. Evelyn.

mimiandrews · 10-13-2016, 01:22 PM

Glad to see your doc is on the problem now. I hope you get relief from that knee pain really soon.

Mimi

duncans · 10-13-2016, 11:20 PM

Hi Evelyn,

I just retired as an RN, 38 years total, the last 27 years in a Level One Trauma ICU.
I cracked my SI joint when I stepped off a small cliff into thin air the first of June. And, like you and every other nurse I know, I did not go to the doc 'til 2.5 weeks ago. Besides avoiding "seeing-the-doc" at all costs, I wanted to avoid that "let's give it some time...". I am still waiting to hear if insurance will cover the CT scan. Amazing how much power the insurance companies have.
Any injury, these days, seems to become a life-long injury. I just don't heal like I used to. So frustrating!

Susan

Lily&Me · 10-14-2016, 05:18 AM

Sounds like something anti-inflammatory might also be helpful in restoring normalcy to that knee, Evelyn...medicinal or homeopathic.

Pain relief is important.

I sustained a small knee fracture a number of years ago, during a twisting motion while doing housecleaning, and didn't go to the doctor for 5-6 weeks, hoping it would clear up on its own.

It didn't require anything but staying off it for awhile, but then I had to have 6 weeks of physical therapy to get all of my leg muscles working the way they were supposed to again, because I had been compensating for the injury for so long.

Especially as we get older, I think, giving in and going to the doctor is hard for us if we even suspect we can treat something ourselves.

I'm a big fan of glucosamine supplements, too, which have helped the discomfort in my knees a great deal.

Need to get things up and running so you can travel next year, Evelyn.

Maggie

ColoradoLady · 10-14-2016, 01:47 PM

Mimi, thanks for the well wishes. Making progress slowly.

Susan, as you are also a retired nurse, you know exactly where I'm coming from, don't you? My nursing was always in high stress areas..civil service nurse in USAF hospitals for 15 years, trauma O.R. for over 16 years, E.R.,transplant surgey & recovery, ending up in home care as an I.V. therapy team manager, inserting Pic lines, traveling the state of Colorado administering antibiotics, chemo, etc....never knew a 40 hr work week...more like 60 hrs as an average. Yep, we type "A's" try to handle everything ourselves. As I said...not our best move. This saying applies...."one who treats themselves, has a fool for a doctor".... Or, in this instance....a nurse! Take care.

Maggie, I wish I could take NSAIDS! As I am on Coumadin, for life, that is out of the question. Tylenol is pretty much it for me, and with only VERY severe pain, I will take an Ultram....rarely. I don't like the way they make me feel. I do take two glucosamine- chondroitin joint support tabs daily...have for a very long time.

Yep, the older we get, the slower we tend to heal. I had always been very sports active, on up till about late 50's age. And I have all the injuries to prove it! Tennis, biking, jogging, alpine skiing, water skiing, gym workouts with weights, ...you name it...if I could do it...I did, and as I've always been very competitive, I always pushed my limits. Therefore ....... injuries! Two bad auto accidents, put a stop to all that!

But, all that aside....I am not giving in .... I still plan on travels next season! Evelyn.