The movie ended and all the plans we had went out the window. As we walked out of the theater and darkness and into the hallway, Jill experienced some dizziness and before she could catch herself, she tumbled to the ground, striking the floor hard and hitting her head against the wall. The first concern was her head but we quickly realized there was something really bad going on with her left leg. She could not move it at all without extreme pain. An ambulance ride to the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and some x-rays confirmed a broken left femur. Lots to sort out:
- What is the planned treatment?
- What’s recovery look like?
- Where does the RV stay (we were supposed to depart the next day for Orange Beach)?
- We are in the process of getting set up in COBRA. Right now, we are considered “uninsured”. Will that impact treatment options?
- Are the facilities and doctors good? Can we trust and rely on them?
- WTF!!!!???
If we were “go with the flow” before, now we were minute by minute, throwing out any and all plans. Saturday, Jill had surgery.
From the day of surgery until Wednesday morning, Jill struggled to gain strength, grapple with a leg that was swollen and didn’t seem to work right, and an inability to leave her bed. It was a low point in our very short-lived full time RV adventure.
In the mean time, we also had to figure out how to find long term camping in the middle of winter when the “snow birds” had most sights filled up. And what to do about our plans and reservations that carried us thru March??? But, with the help of friends (both local and from afar), we worked to pull a plan together. COBRA processing moved forward, the campground had an overflow/emergency site available for as long as needed, a friend/nurse from Pensacola was available to watch over and support Jill in the hospital, and we happen to be located near one of the nation’s best outpatient rehab groups.
This has been a BIG learning moment for us. Plans are meant to be changed, altered or cancelled. What was important before doesn’t matter now. Bad news could be worse. In our case, we have strong support from all our friends and contacts. The campground has reached out, offering help and support wherever needed. Where we had to cancel, almost all have offered thoughts and prayers and waived fees and wished us well. So, our plan to travel and experience the country has been put on pause for now. We’ll stick around the Emerald Coast of Florida for awhile.
Adele & Brandy waiting for Jill to return 
Our longer term campsite
Right now, Jill is in inpatient rehab including 3 hours of rehab each day to help get her back on her feet and walking. Dan and the dogs have moved to an “overflow” site at the Navarre campground, hoping for Jill’s release sometime around February 20th. We’ll remain in Florida thru the end of April as outpatient therapy is expected to continue. We’ll continue to provide updates but obviously we won’t be moving anytime in the near future.
Your thoughts, prayers, and support are appreciated.
Dan & Jill
Dan praying for you and Jill. We only met once in April 2018 at Ravinia. But I love reading blogs, so I figured I would follow you and your family. It’s always cool when you “know” the author. lol Considering we only met once. 🙂 I couldn’t attend your open house, because I am currently at the BSC.
Anyway, so sorry to hear of the “break down”. I look forward to hearing about Jill’s recovering and when you all get back on the road to share your adventures.
Dan – so very sorry Jill was hurt. I hope this is just a temporary adjustment while the world and road ahead prepare a beautiful journey for you both. Perhaps it just wasn’t ready. Meanwhile- heal and plan and know we’re all pulling for you both.
So grateful Jill is on the road to recovery.
All though this wasn’t the adventure you’d planned, it is a true testament to the kindness that is still abundant in this crazy world of ours.
Continued thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for keeping us all updated.
Barbara ❤️❤️