2011

So far this year we had planned a trip to Branson, MO for June to take advantage of a discount rate at the Escapees park in Hollister but had to cancel that because at my last physical my PSA went through the roof.  Went to the Urologist and he did a biopsy.  Two of twelve samples showed cancer, 5% in each of the two.  That means that there was a 99% chance that the cancer could have been missed, guess I got lucky in that respect.  I have prostate cancer, both the non-aggressive and aggressive kind.  I'm starting to feel unlucky now.  Doc recommended we remove the prostate.  Scheduled surgery to remove the prostate, no luck there, Doc found a lymph node with cancer and removed it, it was sent for analysis and came back positive.  Talked about it with Wife and doctor and decided to do radiation therapy.  Also decided that some form chemo was in order so I now get a Lupron shot every four months.  Now I have hot flashes, yes I now know how women feel during menopause, not fun.  Wife found a great OTC medication, supplement really, that works wonders.  85% reduction of hot flash effects, it works.  As of this writing I have five more radiation treatments to go and another Lupron shot.

Applied for VA disability back in March, after the biopsy results came in, still waiting for approval.

On a better note, I'm still positive about my prognosis and feeling ok even with the hot flashes, incontinence, and other side effects.  Ordered and bought a trailer to haul the bike and Suzuki after the radiation treatments are done, we are going up to Iowa the middle of August to take delivery and bring the trailer home.  Now we have to decide if we are going to Branson or move our residency to Texas with trip to Livingston.  Still have time to decide, October is the cut off, that's when the tags and taxes are due here in Kansas.  We will be parking the motorhome at the house so we'll have somewhere to live while we get the house ready to sell or rent.

Well it's Feb 2012 and I thought it was a good idea to update this.  We now have renters in the rental and our neighbors behind with the first refusal on our primary residence.  Our daughter is pregnant with our second grandchild, a boy that is going to be named Noah Alexander that is due to make an appearance the end of May.

2010 Oregon trip

Decided a trip to visit family was in the cards this year I took off for Germany.  The plan was for 21 days.  Booked the flight and off I went.  I hate flying commercial and after this trip I hate it even more.  Flights delayed, not enough time between flights, lost bags, etc.  Finally made it to Dresden, without my luggage.  Brother and Sister in Law picked me up and away we went.  First stop St. Hubertus-Klause, brothers restaurant for some real food, schnitzel with potatoes and asparagus.  Yum.  

 








 

Then a nap.     











After nap head back to restaurant for dinner.  More good food.  We then head out for visits with the rest of the family, nephew Peter and family.  Down the street we go to Peters house.

   

Beautiful house and yard.  


 

Getting late so up to my room for a good nights sleep.

Next morning breakfast and the surprise:
 
A balloon ride across the countryside of Germany.  I was in heaven.

That was the first two days, the rest were just as exciting.  I visited Prague, Budapest, Terezin, Dresden, Berlin, and Regensburg among others.  Follow the link to my 2010 Germany for many more pictures:

http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/Bandit_23CE/Our%20Travels/Europe%20Trips/Germany/2010%20Trip/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ16 

After my return to the states it was time for that road trip to get the water heater replaced.  We packed and away we went.  It took us three days to get to Portland Oregon where we stayed for two days before heading south to California.

The new water heater/furnace installed we took the MH to a dealer to have the oil changed and the radiators washed.  The engine had been having some cooling problems and we decided that needed to be fixed before we tackled the hills again.  Got the MH serviced and south we went.  First night was just south of Portland in a very nice park but the next morning we headed for the coast.

   

This is definitely gorgeous country.  I could live here.  We stopped at the mandatory tourist places, we were after all tourists, like Seal Cave.

  

Spent a couple of hours here watching the seals.  We had parked the MH at a very nice park in Florence and took the truck up US101 for this one.  The only not good thing was the Mexican restaurant we ate in, the food was not up to our standards.  They didn't have salsa and chips, no con queso, and to top it off NO BURRITO!

    The next morning we took off southward headed for Eureka and Pat's family.  We arrived mid afternoon and got settled in at the park.

    This park is close to shopping, the highway, and the beach.  It just doesn't get any better than this.  That evening we went out for dinner, at the Samoa Cook House.

We planned to stay for only two days but extended for another.  Brother in Law, Greg, and I went south a ways to a car show being held in Fortuna (sorry no pictures, forgot camera).  After we got back Pat, Greg and I drove down through the Redwoods and played a bit by the river skipping rocks.      

We left Eureka and headed east getting to Redding where we hoped to spend the night, not to be, still had daylight.  East we went for about another hour finding a campground for the night.  Not a bad place up in the hills east of Redding.

   

The next morning we hit the road again in the direction of Reno where we stopped for lunch.  Did a little gambling and got fuel.  Onto I-80 and looking to make Salt Lake City by night fall.

   

We made better time than we had hoped and crossed into Wyoming before night fall.

  Found a campground and settled in for the night.

    On to Larmie and the big hill.  That was not fun, the engine continued with the cooling problems.  Have to get that fixed when we get home.  Made it up the hill and into Nebraska we went, stopping in Sidney at a Cabella's park.  

  Ever onward we made Kearney and stopped at the Great River Road Arch.

View all my pictures at:   http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/Bandit_23CE/