RV-Dreams Community Forum

Update -- I'm really still here...

Ckerr said
10:09 PM Mar 5, 2014

Someone asked why I hadn't been around much and why I hadn't posted more about what's going on and I figured it was time to fill in the gaps.

I'm still down in Mission, Texas working in Sales at Retama Village. I'm really enjoying it. I wish I was on the road more, but for right now finances just don't work for that lifestyle. So I get to live in a great RV friendly community and hang out with a great bunch of RVers and every now and then get visits from RV Dreamers. This year I've seen Kevin and Evelyn and Len and Phyllis down here. Looking forward to running into more of you!

The other good news is I've met someone truly wonderful. His name is Jeff and he manages operations at a plant in Mexico so commutes across the border daily. We've known each other almost 4 months and have a great time together. We're going to miss the weekly Winter Texan dances at various RV parks soon.

On the not so good news front, I was diagnosed with breast cancer late last summer. I've had 2 lumpectomies and still haven't gotten it all. So now I'll have a mastectomy on the left side with reconstruction in early April. So I've been busy with doctors appointments, work and a great guy. I knew he was a great guy from the beginning. Our 1st date was 10 days after my first surgery and he's hanging in here. And he gets great reviews from all the folks at Retama which means a lot.

Cancer treatment is at MD Anderson in Houston which is 300 miles away so that's kind of a pain. The doctors are great and ultimately worth the travel, but it does make everything a little more challenging. The upside with this 3rd surgery is that I get the complimentary "tummy tuck" when they do the reconstruction.

I suspect I will have a bit more computer play time next month. I have to be sure to recover quickly, as I have a work trip planned to the Escapade in Goshen in May. Maybe I will see some of you there?

NWescapee said
10:16 PM Mar 5, 2014

Carol - praying for successful surgery and a quick recovery!!

Workinrvers said
10:40 PM Mar 5, 2014

Carol,

DW went through (well I guess we both went through) a bout with breast cancer last year. We were lucky and it was stage 0 and after a lumpectomy and some radiation she got a clean bill of health. MD Anderson are truly the absolute best at treating cancer. You are in good hands. God speed on your recovery so you can get back on this Ferris Wheel we call Fulltime RVing ........ what a ride!

Phil and Rudee

TRAILERKING said
11:24 PM Mar 5, 2014

Hang in there. My wifes' friend went through cancer two separate times(I'm not sure for what) which after treatments, led to remission. Then breast cancer. Had lumpectomies and treatments. Good again. She just keeps going forward.

Ckerr said
06:32 AM Mar 6, 2014

Thanks everyone. Good news is the cancer is stage 0. Original plan had been lumpectomy followed by radiation. They just kept finding more cancer cells. Little buggers aren't showing up on any tests, so now best option is the mastectomy. Good news is there won't be any radiation or chemo after.

Really good news is my job has great health insurance.

We're hoping to build our home base here at Retama Village in the next year and then when we can really retire in 5 years or so buy the RV and travel from here.

I do miss ya'll and plan to hang out here more!

el Rojo and Pam said
07:19 AM Mar 6, 2014

Praying for a successful surgery and a quick recovery. Sounds like Jeff is a keeper.

Wishing you the best.

Red

Alie and Jims Carrilite said
07:36 AM Mar 6, 2014

Congrats on the job and love!
Sorry to hear about the cancer. Having a positive outlook makes a world of difference in life.

jayc said
07:53 AM Mar 6, 2014

Carol, I am also sorry to hear about the cancer. Good luck with your treatment. I know that the Docs at MDA are the best.

PIEERE said
09:26 AM Mar 6, 2014

Wow! Carol; it's nice when the bumps and bruises in life bring some relief; (Jeff). I have remained as upbeat and positive as I could and just passed the two year mark since the Heart Attack; with the help of most on the forum who keep edging me forward.
Good to see your post again and I will pray for a complete and clear recovery. When I hear of all the good things that happen it brightens the day even more!!! PIEERE

K & E said
07:20 AM Mar 8, 2014

So glad things with Jeff are working out so well!!! Best of luck with the surgery. At least it will be over once and for all. Kevin and I may just have to make another trek to Texas in the future so we can stay at Retama for a month or so. Take care!!!

Ckerr said
08:45 AM Mar 8, 2014

Thanks Evelyn. Maybe you can tentatively plan a trip for March 2015. Nothing official, just a hint biggrin

Ckerr said
08:48 AM Mar 8, 2014

Pierre, you are correct... Friends are such an important part of life and recovery!

I smile every time I read an update that you are doing well. Hopefully you can head this way at some point. If not we will just have to come find you!

WestWardHo said
08:59 AM Mar 8, 2014

Carol,

Thanks for posting your update and the good news! I'm delighted you met a great guy, he does sound like a keeper who is not afraid to join you in your fight and recovery. I met my husband who was a widower, having lost his wife to cancer, just after I had finished my reconstruction & my mastectomy. I told him very early after meeting that I had cancer because I wasn't sure he could deal with cancer again. Normally I would have kept that to myself until I knew someone much better but given what he had been thru I didn't think it was fair to not tell him before we got seriously involved. He thought about it and said, "no problem". Darn, I didn't get a tummy tuck out of mine! But seriously, you attitude is awesome and you will be fine!

We had originally intended to visit you at Retama this winter but life got in our way. Sending you heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery and soon life on the road.

Sherry

phyllen said
01:44 PM Mar 15, 2014

Hey girl. Haven't been on this site for a spell so was thrilled to see a post by you. It was really good seeing you again. We are up here in Fort Worth doing another gate guard stint. I've changed my blog address due to issues with the old one that I could not clear up. Hated to do it. new one: www.myownhighwaysinmymind.blogspot.com

Yea, Jeff is a nice guy. We enjoyed meeting him. You've been through a lot but looking good on the other end.

Keep in touch!

Ckerr said
05:31 PM Apr 15, 2014

YEAH! Had the mastectomy and reconstruction last Tuesday. Yeah, because I finally got good pathology results. Got all the cancer and no sign in the lymph nodes so done with the cancer surgeries. Now just to recover from this one and a little touch up reconstruction surgery till I'm happy with how everything looks.

I do have a flat tummy (under the swelling) but I can't quite stand up straight. Pain has been very tolerable. Mostly in my lower back because I can't stand up straight when I walk... I guess that's what happens when you cut about 5 inches out of the middle of the tummy and pull it back together!

Dee and Jim stopped to see me in the hospital which was so nice!

I'm out of the hospital and staying at a hotel next to MD Anderson for my follow up appointments tomorrow and Thursday. If all is good I will hopefully be home for Easter. Keep your fingers crossed!