Unfortunately, Jerry had developed an incarcerated femoral hernia on Thursday (9/1) evening. By 2:00 a.m. on the 2nd he was miserable; he could not push the hernia back in place, so we drove to ER. The doctor gave a choice of getting surgery then, or else they would put the reluctant patient under anesthesia and push the hernia back in place. Maybe he could make it home with the help of a truss. The latter option seemed reasonable, given the circumstances, so the doctor did his thing, and we went back to the trailer. Twelve hours later the hernia reappeared and Jerry's stomach felt like it was on fire. By 2:30 a.m. on Sat morning, Sept. 3, we were back in ER for surgery with the help of friends, Chuck and Joyce. Without the surgery there was a risk of a strangulated bowel.
Meanwhile, that morning back at the campsite, our caravan of 31 Airstreams was getting ready to travel 100 miles from St. John's to Argentia, where we would catch a luxury ferry to North Sydney, Nova Scotia. It would be a long 15-17 hour trip. Our fare had been paid as a part of our caravan fee, and we had paid an extra $200 to reserve a cabin. Before the surgeon arrived, Jerry tried to convince everyone to leave without us. We would stay in St. John's for a couple of weeks and then drive ourselves home. Three other caravan couples, who were old friends from our Northern VA Unit, would not allow that. Either they would stay with us, or they proposed driving Gloria and the rig to the ferry and on to Front Royal, VA, 60 miles from where our daughter, Robin, lives. They would need Gloria with them in order to get the rig through customs at the border in Maine. Jerry could fly to Northern Virgina when he was able. We finally submitted to that plan, as Jerry was in no position to protest, he did not want to delay our friends, or mess up everyone's reservations. As well, we were running out of time for them to catch the ferry that day.
The medical procedure went well, the hospital staff was terrific, and Jerry was released the next day by his young female surgeon. He was experiencing no pain. After lunch his nurse carried his luggage to the adjoining hostel, where he spent Sunday night. By noon the next day (Labor Day) he was on his way to Toronto, and then it was on to No. VA. Our Good Sam Emergency Assistance travel insurance covered the full cost of the ticket. Daughter, Robin, and family were a welcome site as Jerry was wheeled to baggage claim at Dulles International Airport. He
was not hurting, but it's a very long walk from the mid-field terminal to baggage at Dulles.
Great timing, huh? But if one must get surgery in NL, St. John's is the place. Two fifths of all Newfoundlanders live in that busy, charming, modern city. All difficult surgeries on the Island are sent to St. John's. Meanwhile, it took Gloria and her entourage four more days to reach Northern Virginia. They encountered severe flooding in PA, but they were not delayed long. By that time Jerry felt rested and almost healed under Robin's care and with husband, Alejandro's delicious Colombian cooking. On Friday afternoon they drove Jerry to Front Royal, VA, where we have had a campground membership since 1985. Gloria arrived around 5:30 p.m. with our good friends, Chuck and Joyce, Jerry and Mary, and Lloyd and Elaine. It was a joyous reunion for us two days after our 54th wedding anniv
ersary. Lloyd had driven our rig all the way, and his spunky, capable wife, Elaine had driven theirs with Gloria at her side. That evening Jerry provided dinner for everyone at a local restaurant, and then we enjoyed music in the park in Front Royal Town Square. By noon the next day, everyone was gone, and we were alone with our tales of the past tumultuous week. We stayed there for nearly two weeks until Jerry's staples were removed, and he was given a clean bill health by a Fairfax, VA surgeon. During our stay we made two trips into the city to visit our old church, meet with numerous friends, and bid a fond farewell to Robin, Alejandro, and grandson, Samuel. We are thankful for wonderful, loyal, Christian friends and family who really came through for us under difficult circumstances. We are also glad that Gloria made the arduous trip all the way from Newfoundland with no significant problems. Now we are slowly on our way back to our home at the North Texas Airstream Community (NTAC) and hope to arrive on October 1.
Unfortunately, Jerry had developed an incarcerated femoral hernia on Thursday (9/1) evening. By 2:00 a.m. on the 2nd he was miserable; he could not push the hernia back in place, so we drove to ER. The doctor gave a choice of getting surgery then, or else they would put the reluctant patient under anesthesia and push the hernia back in place. Maybe he could make it home with the help of a truss. The latter option seemed reasonable, given the circumstances, so the doctor did his thing, and we went back to the trailer. Twelve hours later the hernia reappeared and Jerry's stomach felt like it was on fire. By 2:30 a.m. on Sat morning, Sept. 3, we were back in ER for surgery with the help of friends, Chuck and Joyce. Without the surgery there was a risk of a strangulated bowel.
was not hurting, but it's a very long walk from the mid-field terminal to baggage at Dulles.
ersary. Lloyd had driven our rig all the way, and his spunky, capable wife, Elaine had driven theirs with Gloria at her side. That evening Jerry provided dinner for everyone at a local restaurant, and then we enjoyed music in the park in Front Royal Town Square. By noon the next day, everyone was gone, and we were alone with our tales of the past tumultuous week. We stayed there for nearly two weeks until Jerry's staples were removed, and he was given a clean bill health by a Fairfax, VA surgeon. During our stay we made two trips into the city to visit our old church, meet with numerous friends, and bid a fond farewell to Robin, Alejandro, and grandson, Samuel. We are thankful for wonderful, loyal, Christian friends and family who really came through for us under difficult circumstances. We are also glad that Gloria made the arduous trip all the way from Newfoundland with no significant problems. Now we are slowly on our way back to our home at the North Texas Airstream Community (NTAC) and hope to arrive on October 1.
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