Driving with Health Issues

[LarWood]

I have been RV-ing for many years and now, at 79 years old, have a new health issue that could cause death at any moment. An Aneurysm in my stomach could burst and cause me to pass out and die within 20 minutes. I can accept this, but I don't want my death to cause injury or death to others if this should happen while I am driving my Motorhome. My girlfriend is a tiny lady and afraid to learn to drive the RV. So if we are to continue traveling we need to find another way. Has anyone heard of an emergency device that would allow the passenger in a 42' Class A coach to take control in an emergency situation and steer the coach safely to a stop? Pulling the air brake knob at 65mph is not the answer as it would lock-up the brakes on all wheels and cause the motorhome to skid out of control and perhaps smashing into nearby people and/or vehicles. Any ideas would be welcome, thanks... Larry

[TNGW1500SE]

can't be a real post

[wa8yxm]

Take your Girlfriend and RV (Get someone else to drive if you can) to a shoping mall after hours when the lots are EMPTY and let her drive it around the mall a few times.. Odds are very good she will find it is not all that much difference than driving a car.. Oh it is BIG, I mean BIG, even professional OTR Semi Drivers say RVs are BIG, that's because they are six inches wider than a Semi truck.

But put her in an enviorment where there is nothing to hit, and let her drive it a few laps.. I think she may adjust.

But then I do have a problem in that I give people too much credit for adjust-ability. Or rather adaptability.

[fireman41]

I have to pass a DOT physical every two years. If I don't pass I can't drive truck anymore. I am almost certain that your condition would cause you to fail. I suggest that you hang up your keys.

[Shearwater]

I'm sorry to hear that.

[LarWood]

Shearwater, you are correct. It is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and I am seeing a Vascular Surgeon. My "AAA" is not "normal" and cannot be fixed with a stent. Open-cut is the only choice in my case and even that comes with a lot of serious risks. Recent CAT scan shows it is now up to 5.9cm. The surgeon feels that if it should rupture there would be pain and I would have time to pull over, but I have heard from others that sometimes there is no pain, just passing out, so I choose to not drive the RV.

[Shearwater]

I am assuming from your description that what you have is an abdominal aortic aneurysm. What kinds of doctors are you seeing? You should be talking to a board-certified vascular surgeon who can assess the danger from an ultrasound or CAT scan. The size of the aneurysm is critical to prognosis and that should be your guide.

The procedure of choice is insertion of a stent through arteries in the leg. This is far less stressful than standard surgery.

[mgirardo]

Is downsizing to something your girlfriend is comfortable driving an option

If she is afraid to drive the motorhome, I can't imagine she'd hold it together enough to take over in an emergency situation.

You might want to find a shop that does custom work on Trucks and Buses to see if they have the ability to add a second steering wheel and pedals. That might be an option if your girlfriend thinks she can stay calm enough in an emergency to safely pull over.

-Michael

[rockhillmanor]

God bless. You will be in our prayers that all goes well with whatever surgery you decide AND that you can be back on the road RV'ing as soon as possible. :C

[LarWood]

Most insurance companies won't cover the open cut operation until it gets to 6.0 centimeters. Mine is not quite there yet, but even though the risk of rupture (followed by death) is quite low, I still do not want to take the chance in hurting anyone. Therefore the Motorhome stays in storage.

[LarWood]

Thanks to all who replied, but I guess I should have made one thing clear... I have ALREADY stopped driving the motorhome... and have not taken a trip since last summer. Thanks to those who informed me that the emergency brake would NOT lock up the wheels. (It was a truck service manager that told me it would) Fixing the aneurysm is a bit difficult in my case, but I still may take that risk...and until I do, the motorhome stays in storage. So, feel free to drive anywhere you want... because I will NOT be on the road with you!

[1492]

Moved from Forum Technical Support

[rockhillmanor]

True story:
Just Last week I was admiring a Mercedes-Benz 'high top' black 4x4 sprinter custom built van in a parking lot. It was the coolest thing I have ever seen.

I sold something off craigslist a few days later and when the guy came to pick it up, in pulls that SAME van!!

Turns out the man's wife is now bedridden with some wheel chair access mobility. They used to RV but when she became bedridden he sold the MH and ordered and bought the custom built Mercedes-Benze high top van so her mechanical bed would fit in it and accommodate the weight of the set up, rigged up with a lift for her and the wheelchair........All so they could still RV together.

Now THAT's dedication to keep RV'ing together. :C:C

[Old-Biscuit]

“When I die, I want to die like my grandfather who died peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in his car.” -Will Rogers

OR in terror like the folks in other lane your MH is barrelling towards

[Lwiddis]

No question about what you should do...stop driving...and if your GF doesn't want to drive then you can't go. I'm really concerned about you wanting to continue your camping while presenting a huge danger to others. Selfish.