Just checking in - with thanks to God

[Pete in MI]

I know I haven't been around much on CMD. Lots of things have been going on - probably can't remember them all. I have been suspect of a prostate problem and had a biopsy (finally - after about a year of waiting and jumping through hoops). The biopsy came back negative...THANK YOU JESUS. I have finally submitted and admitted that my driving days alone for any long or short distance is about gone. Fell asleep at the wheel 3 times on the way home from an appointment (40 miles away). I have sleep apnea and am going to be tested for a sleep study in Detroit mid-April. The oxygen concentrator isn't doing much good so will see how things work out after the sleep study.

Saw a guy in Roscommon this afternoon metal detecting on an old historical building...which has been knocked down along with a another building next to it that used to be the MASONs building. Was on way back home from church so didn't stop but I saw he was digging and had a nice detector - with the white pinpointer attached to the shaft of the detector. (Forgot what it is called).

We aare giving serious thought to getting an RV trailer (probably Class C) and living on the road. Will see how that turns out - I want God to make that call as to what to do. If it is for His Glory then He will make a way. If not I will accept that. I don't detect at this point. Still without a detector. Hope all is going well with my Brothers and Sisters in Christ and the Peace and Blessings of Jesus are with you all. Until next check in...

Pete

 

[C. Nyal de Kaye]

As an aponea sufferer I feel for you Pete. I was in a black hole for about 18 months with no interest in anything.

I did not drive at all as I knew that I would fall asleep.

After getting a ResMed CPAP machine, and using it every night, I suddenly "woke up". I came alive, full of energy and bounce once again.

It took six weeks on the CPAP before that happened and I have used it EVERY night since.

Get that machine mate and you will be amazed how you pick up.

I got the ResMed fully automatic machine and several of my friends also have the same thing. All are very happy with it and it worked for all of them.

I wiull admit it was a bit of a pain to get used to it, but I did, and now it's "normal" to wear it.

Once you're "alive" again then you will be able to get that RV and even drive it, not just sleep in it.

Every blessing in Him Pete.

 

[Mike from MI "Iron Brigade"]

I did an at home sleep study. If you fail then you can go do the other big one. Good to see you here buddy.

 

[7centsworth]

It is really good to see you again on here. I have been missing your post. Stop by as often as you can.

 

[Pete in MI]

Thanks for the encouragement and info. I feel more like a walking zombie than a human. Hopefully that CPAP will be the one the Veterans Administration provides me with. I fall asleep all the time...trying to read the Bible, watch a movie, have company over, etc. I fall asleep. The company must think I think they are boring or I am just being rude. Will be good to be alive again. Thanks again for the encouragement. God bless

 

[Pete in MI]

I failed a 24 question test...if I got more than 10 then I was sure to be a sleep apnea subject...I scored 20 out of 24. They put me on the oxygen concentrator which has done nothing since they are pushing O2 through my nose and I am a mouth breather...but the VA doc says she isn't going to authorize a mouth unit until after the sleep test. The nasal canula only dries out my nose so I get nose bleeds. Oh well. All should be better soon I hope. My oxygen level drops to around 70 when I sleep which is good for a heart attack or stroke.

God bless you Mike and family

 

[Pete in MI]

Will try to be more a regular again...maybe when I get out of this zombie state and can stay awake and utilize life again. Thanks Brother and God bless you and yours.

 

[SeniorSeeker]

Good to hear from you again Pete. Hope your sleep study goes well and get back on the road to mending. I confess I don't sleep well either. I often wake up in the morning feeling whipped and that's because I toss and turn all night long. It is my belief that my difficulty arises from sinus problems however. I have difficulty laying flat. I'm giving serious thought to buying a recliner for sleeping.

 

[Greg from Mi.]

RV of one type or another for 18 years. We also had a class C before. Not sure about where you live but its $4 a gal here so you'll need lots of cash to run it. Class C have 55 gal. Tanks. Thats $220 each fill up. We got 6 miles per gal so you'll be filling it up about every 6 hours of driving.
Our RV we have now does a little better. It gets 9 mile per gal. With gas so high we take less trips but stay longer.
Some people just buy an RV already at a campground and never move it. Also don't need a large truck to pull it that way. To give you an idea of cost. We spend $1000 in gas to get from Michigan to Florida and back. That's with gas around $3 a gal. We won't be going as far this year!
Greg

 

[Leslie(nova scotia)]

n/t

 

[Pete in MI]

Thanks for the info Greg. We have a RV park just down the road from us. Sherry said we could do a work thing (like 16 hours of work a week) at the park that would pay for our lot and hook ups. We could then rent out or sell our home on land contract - providing us with income above what I am already making...Adult Foster Care locally so would still be in the area for awhile to give us an idea of what it would be like, what changes we'd need to make, etc. before even hitting the road per se. We did think about waiting for my retirement but even at 4 years away a lot could happen and we would never have taken the step. Still want God to be first and foremost in this undertaking. Sherry can play Christian music on the keyboard at RV parks as entertainment, witnessing and possibly a few extra coins to toss into the gas tank.

Thanks Greg - and I hope gas prices go down - but til then...will be easier to get an RV at a good price as many will sell them instead of travel.

 

[Ma Betty in MO]

n/t

 

[Pete's Wife]

Our plan is for Workamping, in addition to some other things that will give us income. My at-home job can be done anywhere that I have a good internet connection, and gives a good income for half the year (which we'd of course spread out over the year), if all goes well and I still have the job when the time comes; this is my 13th year so unless they retire or whatever, I will still be working April-October.

I've been following dozens of blogs, podcasts, and YouTube videos about full-timing all winter. It is amazing what is out there and how people can make a good living without having the "sticks and bricks" expenses holding them back. Other than the gas - we wouldn't be moving every day or even every week, but most likely will stay in the same place for several months at a time, workamping - and of course (mostly health) insurance costs, we should be able to do just fine .

I have a blog about all of this at http://VitaInVia.blogspot.com (Vita In Via = Life on the Road, roughly) where I talk about our goals and plans and preparations, the Lord's guidance, and what I'm learning as we work toward that day.

 

[Pete's Wife]

Just a suggestion, Senior Seeker - you might try a bean bag chair in your bed. I used that after an extensive stomach surgery a while back, I couldn't lay down at all, but it elevated me enough that I was comfortable and could breathe easily. I wish I'd thought of that during all those years I'd slept in a recliner from my GERD! But my little niece actually thought of it when I was recovering from the surgery at my sister's house, she offered me hers. I now use mine (a juvenile size) when I have a cold and am stuffed up, so it might be just the ticket for you too! (And a lot cheaper)

 

[Pete's Wife]

What a wonderful, encouraging reply! I was really heartened when I read this, I want to much to see the "old Pete," who was LIVING life rather than just trying to get through it, again! I felt very uplifted when I read what you wrote .

 

[Ma Betty in MO]

my sister helping in driving and travelling with me! She is so different than me and I cannot believe we were raised by the same parents! Always in God's timing and planning do things we desire to have and to do will work out for our good and for His purpose! He provides our needs and fulfills our desires by the believing faith and trust we have in His beloved Son, Jesus, as our Lord and Savior! May God's blessings be many for each of us! Amen! Ma

 

[Ma Betty in MO]

n/t