GRANDSON THOMAS - THE EQUESTIAN

On Sunday afternoon while we were in Raleigh, I went with Barry and Thomas out to a beautiful farm where Thomas has Equestian lessons.  He is in the Jumper class and is doing very well in the competitions.

Thomas and his horse Willy.

The Instructor, Thomas and Barry with Willy.

And Willy patiently poses with me and Thomas.

Wow!!  Great job Thomas!!

GRANDSON JASON AND JENNY'S WEDDING

Sat, Sept 13 - Today my grandson Jason and Jenny were married.  We got all dressed up for the occasion.

Faye, Michael, Barry, Stasia and Gene in the church vestibule.

Entering the church sanctuary.

The handsome groom and beautiful bride.

During the ceremony.

Mr. and Mrs. Jason Fields.

It was a wonderful day!!  Congratulations Jason and Jenny!  #jjallday

BLOG CATCH-UP

SEP 09 - THE FOLLOWING FOUR ARTICLES TOOK PLACE THIS PAST WINTER WHILE WE WERE IN FLORIDA.  THE FOUR ARTICLES ARE POSTED IN THE ORDER THEY OCCURRED, BEGINNING AT THE END OF MARCH.  SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO GET AROUND TO POSTING.  HOPE IT IS NOT TOO CONFUSING THAT I WENT BACK IN TIME.

FAYE ENDS UP IN THE HOSPITAL IN WAUCHULA, FL!

March 31 and into April -

Our last posting carried us through the 4th of March and indicated that we had been out of commission for one reason or another.  That article ended with this statement:

     Hopefully, next week both Ken and I will be fully recovered and can go out and PLAY AGAIN!!!

Well, I'm here to tell you, it did not turn out that way!!

I guess this picture will explain why we have not been on the Blog for quite some time!!  I ended up in the hospital in Wauchula, FL for ten days (March 31 - April 10) with PNEUMONIA!

Ken took this picture of me in the hospital bed!  Unknown to me!!  Looking pretty bad!!

Ken and I both had been feeling poorly for awhile --  a lot of coughing, no energy.  Then I developed aches and pains.  Thought I had the flu.  Finally Ken insisted that I go to the Emergency Room at the Hospital in Wauchula.  They immediately did chest X-Rays, contrast MRI, blood tests, etc. All of these tests told them I had Pneumonia!  I have had Pneumonia before, but this time they said I would have to be admitted to the Hospital!

Later, when I met Dr. Kathy Lee, a really nice Asian doctor, she said in her Asian accent:  "You have really bad Pneumonia.  Really bad Pneumonia!!  You have Pneumonia in both lungs!   I will have to treat you for TEN days!!"

Wait a minute!!  Did you say I have to stay here for TEN days!!  YES!!  What could I do??  I settled in for ten days in the hospital.  But things were not too bad!

That afternoon, Ken brought me a beautiful potted plant.

Ken's daughter Tracy sent flowers the next day.

And my daughter Stasia and son Barry sent flowers the day after that !

All of the beautiful flowers brightened my days and the staff enjoyed them as much as I did!  In fact, I left them for the staff when I checked out.  They were still beautiful.  THANKS ALL OF YOU!!

The staff took good care of me.  The food was delicious, too!  This is my lunch salad one day!

For four days I was on IV for fluid 24/7 and antibiotics every six hours.  And for those four days I guess I was pretty sick.  The doctor said after four days I would be transferred to Rehabilitation.

Transferring to Rehab was something I had difficulty wrapping my head around!  First, they removed the IV for fluid, so I only had to have IV for the antibiotics every six hours.  Then, still in bed, I signed some papers discharging me from the Hospital.  Another set of signed documents transferred me into Rehabilitation!!   It seems Wauchula Hospital has a Swing Program whereby they can "swing" you over to Rehab!  Same room, same bed, same doctor, but now I was in Rehab!  It was all a matter of paperwork changing the way Medicare would be billed.  In other hospitals I would probably have to go to an entirely different facility!  Lucky me for Wauchula's Swing Program.  I just stayed where I was.

I was able to move around at will.  Therapists took me to physical therapy to build up my strength two times a day.  I could check myself out for a few hours to have dinner with Ken, so I did that a couple of times.

I had planned to go with friends Lois and Gene to see "The Story of Noah" at the Cattleman's Arena in Wauchula on Friday, April 4.  Instead, they came to visit me in the Hospital on their way to the play.  They brought a beautiful fruit basket but unfortunately I lost the pictures of their visit.  One of my therapists said the husband of her best friend had written the play, The Story of Noah, and composed the music!  Small world!!

I finally got out of the Hospital on April 10 and am slowly recovering.  Thanks to all of our friends and family who helped us through!

Sidebar:  It is now September and I still have residue of Pneumonia in my lungs.  The doctors are not planning any additional treatment.  Guess I'll have to live with it unless it heals itself!

KEN'S BIG TOE SURGERY!

March 25 - Back in February, on Ken's first visit to Podiatrist Dr. Jones, she pointed out that he had fungus under the nails of both big toes.  In fact, she said he did not have any nail left on those toes.  It was all fungus buildup!  She said if left unattended, the fungus to go into his foot, into the bone, up his leg.  It could result in having his foot amputated!!!  Ken should let her remove the fungus from both big toes.

Because of Medicare guidelines, surgery could not be performed on both toes at the same time.  Ken's first appointment was on March 12.

Ken's toe after surgery.

At home we had to treat the toe with Epsom Salts bath, drops, band aid on and off to protect the nail and then allow the nail to dry.

Dr. Jones removed the fungus from Ken's right big toe two weeks later, on March 25.  I was still in the hospital while Ken was recovering from this surgery.  He had to manage the treatment of Epsom Salts bath, drops, band aid on and off all by himself!!  He did a great job!

Recovery is going slowly and he has not been able to wear tennis shoes yet (June 1) to play Pickleball.

VISIT WITH TRACY AND VICKIE

April 26 - We had received a call from Ken's oldest daughter, Vickie, telling us that she was coming to the Orlando area to visit her sister Tracy in Stratford.  We of course made plans to spend some time with them.

You may recall, Tracy lives with her friends Chuck and David in Chuck's log "cabin" in the middle of a ranch.

It is the home of Royalty Pups.  Here are some of the newborn pups!

We gathered by the side of the pool.  The two of us in the middle.  Tracy on the left; Vickie on the right.

Tracy and Vickie with Chuck and David.

We all had a great time talking, drinking, and eating, eating, eating!!  Tracy is restaurant manager on a nearby country club and is an excellent cook!!

FERNANDINA BEACH SHRIMP FESTIVAL (AMELIA ISLAND)

May 04 - We left Florida, heading back to Richmond, VA on May 02.  We stayed at RPI Walk About campground in Woodbine, GA just north of the Florida/Georgia Line.  (Sounds like the name of a country western band!)    It happened that this was the weekend of the Fernandina Beach Shrimp Festival just a few miles south in Florida.  Fernandina Beach is the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry in the United States.  In Fernandina Beach, Florida, the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival is an annual tradition, always held the first weekend in May. This huge festival attracts over 100,000 people during the weekend .

I can't believe it!!  We decided to go to the big event!!

The marina was full of boats!!  The JUDGE was a well-known Shrimp Boat.

There were lots of shrimp and food vendors everywhere, crafts and music.

Everything was perfect!!  Even the boat lines!

It was a lot more walking than we like to do at our OLD age!!  We were certainly glad when Pirate Calico Jack came to pick us up in the shuttle bus!!

If you are ever near Fernandina Beach on the first weekend in May, we highly recommend their Shrimp Festival!!

5TH ANNUAL KEN AND FAYE EWBANK PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT

Sunday, Aug 31 - Today, Mike Roberts ran the 5th Annual Ken and Faye Ewbank Pickleball Tournament at Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay Resort in Virginia.  Can you believe we have a Pickleball tournament named for us!!??  This particular tournament is not restricted to Thousand Trails members but is open to other players in the area who would like to participate.  So we had a large group of enthusiastic, fun players!

Here is the group of about 45 participants!

Mike welcomed the group and explained to everybody how ten years ago Ken and Faye had learned to play Pickleball out west and came back to TT Chesapeake Bay and introduced the game to anybody who would play.  After a few years the initial group had grown and a small tournament was held over Labor Day Weekend.  From that beginning, we now have four beautiful new Pickleball courts at the Chesapeake Bay Resort.

Mike surprised me by calling me to the front with him (Ken was indisposed!).  He announced to the crowd that  ". . . not only is the Labor Day Pickleball tournament named for Ken and Faye, but today we are dedicating the new courts to them."  I was overwhelmed!!  I could not believe it!!

Mike showed the plaque bearing the name of the Ken and Faye Ewbank Pickleball Courts that will be posted at the main entrance gate!  Can you believe this!!??  I know I can't!!
(Mike said the lady at the print shop finally convinced him that Ewbank was not spelled with a W.  He will have the spelling of our name corrected.)

The new Pickleball courts are wonderful but it is very difficult to take action pictures because the fence is in the way.  Here are all four courts in action!

Among the participants were our long-time good friend Dennis (white shirt) and his partner Louis.  Their first match happened to be against two ladies who are frequently here at TT Chesapeake Bay, Jessica and Joyce.

Dennis and Louis in action in a later match!

At the end of the doubles tournament lots of medals were presented to the various bracket winners and jars of Vlasic pickles went to the runners up!  After the presentations we all enjoyed hot dogs, cookies and drinks.

The Ken and Faye Ewbank Pickleball Tournament ended with a singles tournament for the crazies!!

WHAT A DAY!!  Thanks so much, Mike for handling everything!!!

WE HAVE BEEN OUT OF COMMISSION -- OUT OF TOUCH -- OUT ON "SICK LEAVE"!!

FIRST - KEN'S MAMMOGRAM AND ULTRASOUND TURNED OUT NORMAL!!

Wed, Dec 18 - What!!??  Did I say KEN'S Mammogram!!??  That's right!!  Ken had to have a Mammogram and Ultrasound!!

It all started a while back, three months back, with our visit to a new Dermatologist in Clermont, FL on Monday, December 9th.  After Dr. Boucher had finished examining Ken, and freezing a couple of pre-cancer spots, Ken happened to mention that his left nipple was very sore; sensitive and tender.  After some poking around, Dr. Boucher told Ken that he had a lump in his left breast!!  OMG!!  The doctor wrote an order for Ken to have a Mammogram at Clermont Radiology.  We have heard of men having Mammograms, of course, but Ken!!???

When we went to Radiology to set up an appointment for the test, we discovered that for men having a Mammogram, especially the first one, Radiology required a bi-lateral exam (both breasts) as well as an Ultrasound.  They called Dr. Boucher and got a corrected order.  It was another week before Radiology could schedule a time for the Mammogram when the Ultrasound equipment was also available.

On Wednesday, December 18, Ken had the ultimate experience of having a Mammogram!!  Now he knows what we women go through every year!!

It was another week before we got the results.  That was a really scary time!!  NORMAL!!   A big sigh of relief!!

Tue, Jan 14 - We had a follow-up appointment with the Dermatologist, Dr. Boucher, to check the pre-cancer places and to discuss the Mammogram results.  Dr. Boucher said the results were Normal; the lump was an increase in breast tissue fiber; no sign of malignancy; no need for further action at this time.  But we asked how could it be normal??  There is a lump!!  What do we do about that??  Dr. Boucher recommended that Ken see a General Surgeon for his opinion of what should be done.

We set up an appointment with Dr. Johnson of Mid-Florida Surgical for the next time we were in the Orlando/Clermont area, Tuesday, January 28.  Dr. Johnson viewed the film of the Mammogram and Ultrasound and confirmed Dr. Boucher's determination.  He told us the lump was an enlargement of the gland tissue known as Gynaecomastia.  Common in men; they come and may go away.  Usually, Gynaecomastia in men appears in both breast.  Because Ken's lump was only on the left side (a possible symptom of cancer), Dr. Johnson decided to do a Guided Needle Biopsy that same day in his office to send samples to Pathology for further analysis.

Have you ever seen a Needle Biopsy??  The "Needle" was hollow, about 10-12 inches long and the diameter was a little smaller than my little finger.  The doctor gave Ken a quick prick with the numbing needle and almost immediately started drilling with the Biopsy Needle into the side of Ken's left breast.  We were able to watch on a monitor as the Biopsy was performed!  The doctor drilled about 5-6 inches to get into the fiber mass.  I watched as a little squiggly thing came out and dropped into the handle of the Needle.   He stopped drilling momentarily and the nurse picked up the sample with tweezers and put it into a glass jar.  The process was repeated for four more samples.

Dr. Johnson said if the Pathology results were negative, there was no need for a follow-up unless there was a change in the lump or it bothered Ken.  The Pathology results came back negative for Atypia or Malignancy.  But  Ken decided to go ahead with surgery to have the lump removed while we were still in the Orlando area.

Ken's Surgery was on Monday, February 24, at South Lake Hospital in Clermont.  Dr. Johnson was the surgeon.  The hospital staff prepped Ken for 11:30 AM surgery.  However, Dr. Johnson was held up in a previous surgery.  Ken's surgery did not take place until 1:30 PM.  The staff took good care of Ken and provided for his every need.  Following surgery, Dr. Johnson stopped by and told us everything went perfectly.  The lump in Ken's left breast was removed with a small incision, so we don't have to worry about that anymore!

Ken is now just lounging around the RV recovering from the surgery.

SECOND - FAYE GETS BLU-U LIGHT FACIAL TREATMENT!!

Going back to our first visit to our new Dermatologist in Clermont, FL on Monday, December 9, Dr. Boucher also examined me.  He found and froze several pre-cancer cells on my face, especially around the nose area.  He also took a biopsy of a mole-looking bump on my left calf.  At our follow-up appointment on Tuesday, January 14,  Dr. Boucher said the biopsy from the bump on my left leg was negative.  He gave me a prescription for a cream to treat pre-cancer places on my face.  As an alternative he mentioned a BLU-U Light treatment that would be covered by Medicare.  I chose not to get the cream because the prescription was very expensive.

After considerable thought (and vacillation), I decided to go with the BLU-U Light treatment.  The plan was for two sessions, the first on Tuesday, February 25.  I sat in an examining room.  Dr. Boucher's assistant cleaned my face and then applied a topical solution.  She placed protective eyewear over my eyes and placed the BLU-U Light in front of me.  The BLU-U blue light is of low intensity and did not cause any discomfort except that I (Faye!) had to sit perfect;u still!  The treatment lasted for 15 minutes.  The assistant applied sunscreen to my face and I went home.  I was to continue using the sunscreen and stay out of the sun for 48 hours.  For the next several days my face was flushed and there was some slight burning, tingling and itching but nothing bad.  I just spent the week inside with the day-night shades closed.  Besides, Ken was at home with me, recovering from his surgery.

My second BLU-U light treatment was on Tuesday, March 4.  In the doctor's office, the process seemed to be the same, but the after effects back home are certainly different!!  My face looks like I fell asleep in the sun for four hours!!  It burns, stings, itches, drives me crazy!!  Now, five days later, it is also peeling!  Needless to say, I have not been out of the RV!!  Still keeping the day-night shades closed!!  Do not want anyone to see me!!

As I said, we have been out of commission - out of touch - out on "sick leave"!!

Hopefully, next week both Ken and I will be fully recovered and can go out and PLAY AGAIN!!!

ANNUAL TT PALM SPRINGS PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT!

Feb 2014 - Ken and I are in Florida this season and were not in California for the Fifth Annual TT Palm Springs Pickleball Tournament!  But they went ahead and had the tournament without us!!  HA HA  Becky E sent us this picture of the participants that I wanted to share on our Blog.  It is great to see so many of our friends; and I see a lot of well-earned medals in the group!!  Know you all had a great time!!  Wish we could have been there with you!  We miss you all!

Thanks for the picture, Becky!!

KAREN AND DENNIS; LOIS AND GENE IN VENICE FLORIDA

Sun, Feb. 09 - There was a group of us tennis friends from Richmond, VA who used to play tennis together for years and years; go out to dinner and happy hours, oyster roasts, boating, etc. etc. etc.  One couple, Lois and Gene, recently bought a condo in Venice, FL.  They were going to be in St. Petersburg for a couple of weeks to house-sit for their daughter while she was away from home.  So Lois and Gene offered the use of their condo in Venice to other friends, Karen and Dennis while they were in Florida.

Karen and Dennis came to visit us at TT Peace River on Sunday.  Dennis and I had a great time playing a few games of Pickleball with Brenda and James.  After that we enjoyed snacks and drinking beer and catching up with things back home.  Later the four of us went to a late lunch/early dinner at Wildcat Grille in Wauchula.  It was such fun seeing our "old" friends in Florida!!

Sat, Feb 15 - On Saturday, we drove over to Venice, FL to visit our friends Lois and Gene at their new condo.  It was really nice, overlooking the small canal and golf course.  After catching up on all the happenings, we decided to go out to dinner and then over to the beach to see the "Drum Circle" and watch the sunset.

Well, we visited for so long, by the time we had dinner and got over to the beach, the sun had set and the Drum Circle had almost closed down.  I think the Drum Circle could be a lot of fun with all types of drums, lighted hula hoops, etc.  A big party on the beach at sunset!!  But it really did not matter that we missed it because it was so cold and windy out on the beach that evening, it would have been pretty miserable!!

We did get our picture taken with a couple of the drummers who were still on the beach.  (See how bundled up we are!  Burrrr!!)

The last of the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico!

On our drive home, we did get to witness the full moon rising.

It followed us all the way back to Wauchula!

It's always fun visiting with our long time friends!!

MARK AND CHRIS BACK AT TANGLEWOOD RV RESORT

Wed, Feb 19 - On one of my trips to Sebring, FL for a Cold-Wave Laser Treatment, we stopped by to see Mark and Chris at Tanglewood.  We have not see them since a group from the East Coast were in Calfornia back in 2011.

Since we last saw them, Mark and Chris have married and bought a beautiful new Allegro Bus!!  Congratulations Guys!!

It was great to see them again!  We had to get in a picture too!!

See you guys again soon!!

KEN'S VISIT TO SEBRING PODITRIST

Wed, Feb 12 - Ken has been suffering with a terrible pain in the fourth toe of his left foot.  The pain was so severe that he could not wear his shoes.  We looked up Podiatrist on line and found the three best Podiatrist in Sebring, FL, according to the website.  We called Sebring Foot Care and, due to a cancellation, Ken was able to get an appointment the next day, on Wednesday, February 12.

The Podiatrist, Dr. Joni Jones, examined Ken's feet and toes and toenails.  We immediately took a liking to Dr. Joni.  She was thorough, easy to talk to, fun, and cute as a button!  We told her we had found her on the web as "one of the best Podiatrist in Sebring."  She replied:  "I'm THE BEST!".  Dr. Joni took X-Rays of both of Ken's feet.  Reading the X-Rays, she explained to Ken that his toe was hurting because a doctor some time ago had removed a bone from Ken's little toe so it was shorter than normal and not support the fourth toe.  She wrapped the toe with a band-aide and sat up a follow-up appointment.

As we left Dr. Joni's office, I happened to turn around and saw doctor and patient laughing and hugging each other Good Bye!!  They were so cute I had to have a picture!!

Dr. Joni is a dancer -- both ballroom and on stage.  She loved to strike a pose for pictures!!

Here she snuggles Ken's neck!  I can't blame her!!

Then she wrapped Ken's arms around her waist!!

What a fun visit with Dr. Joni Jones, Best Podiatrist in Sebring, FL.  I told Ken he was NEVER going to the Podiatrist alone!!!

FAYE GETS NEW COLD-WAVE LASER THERAPY

Wed, Feb 12 - While sitting in the waiting room of Ken's Podiatrist, Dr. Joni Jones, I noticed a poster on the wall about Cold-Wave Laser Therapy MLS.  I wondered if this type of therapy might help me recover from the hip/back pains I have been suffering.  I've been limping and walking hunched over for the past several month.  I asked the office who could tell me about this Laser Therapy.  As it turned out, Steve H. the expert on Laser Therapy, was established at Dr. Jones' office.  He explained how he was certain Laser Therapy could fix my right hip so I could walk properly.  I signed up for six sessions at $60/each (that was all I could afford, even though he recommended 25 sessions).

For each session, I laid on my stomach on a table and Steve shined the Laser on my back/left hip area for about 30 minutes.  I felt absolutely nothing; no heat, no tingling, nothing.  I could not even tell the machine was turned on except for a beeping sound that indicated the laser was activated.  After only one session, I could stand up straight and walk a lot better.  Like a miracle!!  That was wonderful!!

Faye and Steve and the Cold-Wave Laser Therapy MLD machine.

Although I saw immediate results at first, after the remaining sessions, I am still not 100%.  Still I am hoping the laser therapy will continue to improve my walking ability!!

Thanks Steve for this introduction to Cold-Wave Laser Therapy!

LADIES LUNCHEON AT THE BACK PORCH RESTAURANT, LAKE ALFRED, FLORIDA

Fri, Jan 24 - Today I joined friends Cis and Sally and about 43 other ladies from Torrey Oaks for a delightful luncheon at The Back Porch Restaurant.  I rode with Cis as we caravaned the 40-mile drive to Lake Alfred and the restaurant.  Ken and I have driven pass this place numerous times and often wondered what it was.

The Barn is a unique building that contains three distinct areas -- The Stable contains a garden center with plants and gardening items; The Barn Antiques, established in 1969, has a nice gift shop and lots of antiques; and The Back Porch Restaurant, nestled between the other two, is a nice little restaurant with a dine-in back porch and patio.

Our group actually filled up the entire back porch.  I thought with our large group, it would take forever to be served.  After we had chosen seats, we were given  printed menus and pencils.  We each marked our menu with our choices of appetizer, soup, entree sandwich, and dessert.  When we had made our selections Cis and I took our menus to the front counter and turned them in to the hostess.  We each got coffee from the coffee maker and a cup of iced water and made our way back to our table.

I kid you not!!  Before I could stir my coffee, a waitress brought our lunch!!  Lunch was unique in that the waitresses brought each person a large "picnic basket" containing that person's choices.  We removed our lunch items and placed them on the table and the waitress took the basket.  Cute!!  And apparently that is the secret to very FAST service!!

For my lunch, I choose Cream of Vegetable Soup, Pasta Salad, Chicken Salad Croissant, and Unbelievable Chocolate for dessert!  Delicious!!

It was delightful!!  Thank you ladies for letting me join you all!

THINGS THAT GO CLICK,, CLICK, CLICK IN THE NIGHT!

Thu, Jan 16 -  Thursday morning, Ken said he woke up during the night and heard a strange clicking sound.  Click, Click, Click.  What in the world was going on, he wondered.  He got up and went toward the front of the motorhome.  This is what he saw!!  The slide-out had come in by itself!!

(Picture taken Thursday morning)

And it would not go out!!  This was not good!!  It looked like we were looking at a major expense!!  The Slide-out motor or something like that!

We were planning to leave TT Orlando that morning.  What were we going to do??  At least the slide-out was in the IN position and not OUT!!  We could at least move!!

We called nearby Camping Connection as soon as they opened and asked if they could take a look at our slide-out and figure out the problem.  The Gods were with us!  Camping Connection said to bring the RV in.  They would see what they could do.

Gary spent about an hour and checked out everything it could possibly be.  Turned out the Inline Circuit Breaker had gone bad!!  A $5.69 part plus labor -- total cost $123.79!!  Wow!!  We were so lucky!!!

Thank you Camping Connection for taking good care of us!!

But, this delay leads to the next article where we are not so lucky!

DON'T BE STUPID!! LIKE I WAS!!

Thur, Jan 16 - This morning as we were leaving TT Orlando to go to TT Peace River, we needed to stop by Camping Connection to have a repair made to our slide-out (See article Things That Go Click, Click, Click In The Night).  Because of this delay, we were running a few hours behind schedule.  That was not a problem except it meant we would arrive at TT  Peace River at about 1:30 pm, and by the time we were sat up it would be after 2:00 pm.

In my mind, that was too late to eat lunch.  We were driving at moderate speed south on Rt. 17 through some small towns; terrain was flat and fairly straight; light traffic.  I could whip up a couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch on the way.

Suddenly!!  Ken had to stop quickly!  I was standing at the kitchen counter with knife in my hand, spreading peanut butter and jelly on slices of wheat bread.  I went flying toward the front of the RV.  With the slide-out in the IN position, there was very little room to navigate my fall!  I struck my side on the corner of the console and fell into the floor!

The knife went flying out of my hand!  A slice of peanut butter bread was plastered on the side of the J-Lounge on the right!!  Jelly bread was in the kitchen tile floor, jelly side up, almost under my foot!  I slowly managed to get myself up out of the floor and SIT DOWN and fasten my seat belt!!  STUPID!!!

After we had settled in at our new campsite, I drove myself to the Wauchula Hospital Emergency Room to see what kind of damage I had done to my right side.  The staff took four X-Rays of my ribs.  The ER doctor showed me the pictures and said I had fractured my #9 rib (one of the lower ribs) in two places.  The ends were not pointed toward my lungs and did not create a major problem.  They do nothing for that type of fracture except prescribe some strong pain medication.  It will take four to six weeks to heal.  In the meantime, take it easy and breath deeply every hour to prevent pneumonia.

I have been surprised that the fractured ribs have not bothered me too, too much, except getting in and out of bed.  And I have been taking it very, very easy!!  No pickleball for a while!!

So, Do like I said -- not as I do.  Don't Be Stupid!!