Story Continues /after Transplant

 The transplant went well and both of us were released 11/8/16. Had to return to the clinic for labs and checkup twice a week for four weeks then once a week. By 12/20/16 was able to go to every other week. That's when we were able to move back to Arkansas City,Ks. Do checkups in St Luke's Transplant Clinic in Wichita.

We needed to stay close to the Clinic until I could go for 3 months between checkups. As I was feeling better than I had felt in 28 yrs. I needed something to do. There were things that happened during this time with the transplant. Which as I said earlier I might tell in another story later. 

In March I had contacted the Army Corp of Engineers (COE) about possible volunteer jobs close to Wichita. Watch close here he shows up again. A Ranger from Big Hill Lake called just as we were getting done with a checkup 4/3/17. He had a host spot at Timber Hill Campground a primitive campground. All that he needed was someone to keep the self pay station supplied with envelopes and mow about an acre of grass. Mainly just needed a presence there.

So we drove from the Drs. office to Timber Hill to look at the spot and meet with ranger Allen. He explained more about our duties. We told him about having to go to appointments. That was no problem he said take off whenever we needed, just tell him so he could check on things. The presence of our RV motorhome would help. We agreed to do the job and would start on the 11th of April. 

This was a great location as it's about the same distance from Wichita and Kansas City. Which turned out we had to go to both. 

Our host site at Timber Hill. Which is at the entrance to the campground not in it.

We were there until October 21st 2017. This was a great place to be for the summer and time we needed to stay close to Drs. Turned out that I had more Doctoring than I thought I would. But all was good. By this time they decided that I could do monthly labs and Dr every 3 months. O Yay for this meant that we could go somewhere.

After seeing Dr Weber at the clinic on 10/31/17 we headed back to our spot in Lakewood, NM. As we returned to the Ranch we met our new neighbors. Stan who had been our neighbor had left the Ranch and turned his lot in. Our new neighbors were Skee and Joni. They quickly became new friends.

Joni always making bling or painting something.

It was great to be back with our friends Bob & Beth White. Also getting to know other people at the Ranch.

Bob & Beth

We were at the Ranch working on our Motorhome and Casita (shed) . We decided  that we would go to our son Mike's after Christmas to see them and watch Grandson Keegan now 10 play soccer. The 26th had labs done then next day started to California. This was in the car leaving the motorhome at the Ranch. The first night stayed in Lordsburg, NM. The next day while driving Dr calls the lab work is not good. She wanted to check again. We found a lab in Benson, AZ on our route. This time the labs were good. So continued on and arrived the 30th.

After doing New Years by watching the Rose Parade & the Rose Bowl (OU) it was a good time and we really enjoyed the day. Anytime we get to be with Kids & Grandkids is always a blessing. OK if you're thinking we were there sorry just watching TV.

Keegan's soccer season was over but he had been chosen to play in the all-star games. The 2nd we took him to all-star practice.  3rd we took Keegan to Port Loma to Sunset Cliffs NP and Cabrillo NM. 

Port Loma

Then the 6th and 7th the All-Star tournament. Here are some very proud grandparents. His team took 1st place. 😁

The next day we headed back to the Ranch. We went by way of Quartzsite,Az to see if we would want to stay there sometime. Decided probably not for us. Then we went to Ore Valley, Az for a couple days. Then on to the Ranch.

Our spot at the Ranch after remodel.

After returning to the Ranch for a week it was about time to head back to Kansas for a 3 month checkup. We decided to just take the car again but would go early enough to go by way of San Antonio for our Anniversary. Then on to Wichita.

Riverwalk from our resort.

The trip to Kansas went well seeing family. Enjoyed time with our grandkids. The transplant checkup was good. The function had stayed the same. 

We returned to the Ranch in February and continued the remodels on our rig

 and Casita. I also helped remodel two other Casitas in the park. It was a good time doing all of this I felt so much better than I had in 30 yrs. By then it was time to plan our next trip back for a checkup. Also time to plan some travel time.

After

Ronda got me.

New front

She got me again.

We planned a trip for the next 3 month between checkups. We were meeting up with Whites in Nebraska and then west to the Mountains before heading back to Wichita again. This didn't pan out.

As we made our way back to Kansas we needed to go by way of Texas to renew my license which is a CDL and had to be done in person. Found a small town DMV that wouldn't be too busy in Haskell, Tx. Which gave us the chance to see cousin in Abilene just South of Haskell. Stayed at City RV park which is free first night. 

We continued on and stopped in Edmond, Ok at Arcadia lake then onto Kaw Lake. Visited grandkids there. Went to visit Ronda's parents in Ark City. Finding their house was needing major repairs. After much discussion with them and Ronda's brother. It was decided that it was time for them to move in with Randy in  Wichita.

This is where our plans changed. Randy had room for them but the bathroom was a long way and up some stairs. So we cancelled our trip and stayed and added a bathroom to the room. Then we had sold their house and helped move them and got them settled. 

By this time it was time for next checkup. Which was good. The function hadn't changed.

Things were going well with the Parents. So we headed back to New Mexico to the Ranch.

This brings us to September of 2018.

Again thank you for reading. Hope you're enjoying the story of our adventures.