:( DH has been getting a little worse since March. Today the cardiologist told him he cannot do anything that stresses his heart--no exercise besides walking on flat ground, no yard work and definitely no flying at 38,000ft! The doctor is concerned that DH may decompensate suddenly and need emergency open heart surgery. He's already having brief "episodes".Of course, we are sad. Alaska has been on our bucket list. I didn't expect things to close down on us quite this soon. But all is not lost. I saved up all my vacation time for the cruise, so now I have about 2-1/2 weeks available. I'm really glad we took the camper up to our favorite mountain campground a couple weeks ago, as DH is weakening. We've decided to sell the truck and get a car that gets more than 13mpg--which is pretty much all of them, LOL.We may try to find a cruise to the Caribbean. We need to visit our mothers on the Gulf Coast. Honestly, I really can't get all that excited about vacation right now.

Can you drive to Bellingham, WA, and take the Alaska State Ferry to Alaska. They can put your RV on the ferry for great trip north and back. Or you can drive to Seattle to take a cruise ship north from there and back. Let us know how we can help, we have relatives there that can also help.Ron

Chock Full.......be sure to talk to the doctor about traveling where there are altitude changes. My late husband had major problems with his heart while just traveling in the car when we'd go to high altitudes. Sorry you had to cancel/postpone the Alaska cruise. This reminds me to get out and DO IT NOW! :) Prayers for strength and recovery {{{HUGS}}}

Um, no we will not be driving from Atlanta to Seattle to go on a cruise. We had thought about going back to Yellowstone but between the distance (5 days of hard driving) and the elevation, DH would be utterly exhausted. I think we're going to have to stay east of the Mississippi.

amandasgramma wrote:Chock Full.......be sure to talk to the doctor about traveling where there are altitude changes. My late husband had major problems with his heart while just traveling in the car when we'd go to high altitudes. Sorry you had to cancel/postpone the Alaska cruise. This reminds me to get out and DO IT NOW! :) Prayers for strength and recovery {{{HUGS}}}Absolutely~! That has been our mantra. DHs grandfather came here from Greece with $17 in his pocket. He worked hard, acquired a restaurant and some rental properties and proceeded to make a good living. He never took a vacation. Grandpa retired at 66 and died 5 months later, never having gone anywhere. That was a life lesson for DH.We are comforted by the memories of all the things we've done, both with our kids and as a couple. We took the kids on a cross-country RV trip in 2007 and went to 22 states. We saw a lot of the biggies out west, dipped our toes in the Pacific Ocean, and spent 10 days near Seattle at my sister's farm. Yellowstone was the highlight of our trip.We've been to NYC, Disney World, Williamsburg, the OBX and New Orleans. We've been to Mexico, Canada, Jamaica, England and Wales. I'm glad and more than a little grateful to my DH for insisting that we not wait until retirement to do things. You just never know what might happen along the way.

CF of NutsIt's sounds like you have done some great trips. Good for you and your travel memories.We just spent 3 weeks in Mexico, and met some Canadians from Prince George. Several of the men have worked all their lives in the wood pulp industry and retired early (55). I asked why, and they said that the average of men who retired at 65 were only able to receive 17 pension checks before they died. As you suggest, do it now.

No Alaska cruise for us--Update | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

lovemytt
Explorer
Apr 25, 2014
Im sorry to hear of your husband's declining health. I'm amazed at all the states you have seen. I think you are on the right track with enjoying the trailer at a favorite spot and the realities of who you truly need to see. Keep the doctor in the loop with your trip plans so you can be as prepared as you ever can be. As a heart patient myself, I understand limitations and truly prioritizing my bucket list.
Pangaea_Ron
Explorer
Apr 25, 2014
CF of Nuts

It's sounds like you have done some great trips. Good for you and your travel memories.

We just spent 3 weeks in Mexico, and met some Canadians from Prince George. Several of the men have worked all their lives in the wood pulp industry and retired early (55). I asked why, and they said that the average of men who retired at 65 were only able to receive 17 pension checks before they died. As you suggest, do it now.
Chock_Full_o__N
Explorer
Apr 25, 2014
amandasgramma wrote:
Chock Full.......be sure to talk to the doctor about traveling where there are altitude changes. My late husband had major problems with his heart while just traveling in the car when we'd go to high altitudes. Sorry you had to cancel/postpone the Alaska cruise. This reminds me to get out and DO IT NOW! :) Prayers for strength and recovery {{{HUGS}}}

Absolutely~! That has been our mantra. DHs grandfather came here from Greece with $17 in his pocket. He worked hard, acquired a restaurant and some rental properties and proceeded to make a good living. He never took a vacation. Grandpa retired at 66 and died 5 months later, never having gone anywhere. That was a life lesson for DH.

We are comforted by the memories of all the things we've done, both with our kids and as a couple. We took the kids on a cross-country RV trip in 2007 and went to 22 states. We saw a lot of the biggies out west, dipped our toes in the Pacific Ocean, and spent 10 days near Seattle at my sister's farm. Yellowstone was the highlight of our trip.

We've been to NYC, Disney World, Williamsburg, the OBX and New Orleans. We've been to Mexico, Canada, Jamaica, England and Wales. I'm glad and more than a little grateful to my DH for insisting that we not wait until retirement to do things. You just never know what might happen along the way.
Chock_Full_o__N
Explorer
Apr 25, 2014
Um, no we will not be driving from Atlanta to Seattle to go on a cruise. We had thought about going back to Yellowstone but between the distance (5 days of hard driving) and the elevation, DH would be utterly exhausted. I think we're going to have to stay east of the Mississippi.
amandasgramma
Explorer
Apr 25, 2014
Chock Full.......be sure to talk to the doctor about traveling where there are altitude changes. My late husband had major problems with his heart while just traveling in the car when we'd go to high altitudes. Sorry you had to cancel/postpone the Alaska cruise. This reminds me to get out and DO IT NOW! :) Prayers for strength and recovery {{{HUGS}}}
Pangaea_Ron
Explorer
Apr 25, 2014
Can you drive to Bellingham, WA, and take the Alaska State Ferry to Alaska. They can put your RV on the ferry for great trip north and back. Or you can drive to Seattle to take a cruise ship north from there and back. Let us know how we can help, we have relatives there that can also help.

Ron

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No Alaska cruise for us--Update

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