After we left Augusta, we headed to Gaffney, SC where we had appointment at the Freightliner Service Center for a check-up for the RV. They have several parking spots with electricity behind the building, so you can stay there the night before your appointment. Overall the appointment was very uneventful – RV checked out okay and we were free to go around 2:00 in the afternoon, so we decided to get a couple hours down the road towards our next planned destination of Richmond VA.
A couple of days prior to our Gaffney visit, I had noticed a bug bite on my arm. It wasn’t particularly itchy or painful, but yet the skin all around it was turning pink, and the pink area seemed to be getting larger. And there was the tell-tale red line that indicated infection. I still didn’t think much of it, but I was curious to get someone else’s thoughts. In search of an expert opinion, I did the logical thing – I posted this picture on Facebook, asking my friends what they thought I should do.
I was fully expecting everyone to tell me it was no big deal, but unfortunately I got the exact opposite response! Pretty much everyone told me to go to a doctor asap – including some friends that are actual doctors and nurses. My sister even told me a story about someone that died from a spider bite! Since we were planning to spend the night in a state park that was very remote, we instead drove the nearest city, which happened to be Lincolnton, NC.
I went to a Minute Clinic at CVS, but the nurse there sent me packing to the ER. When I got to the ER, they put me on IV antibiotics. I still could not believe that something as insignificant as a bug bite had ended up like this! By the time I was ready to go it was 8:00 at night and dark outside, so we didn’t want to drive any more that night. Luckily the hospital said we could stay overnight in their parking lot. I would classify this a “free” parking spot, but since I haven’t gotten the ER bill yet, who knows how much it actually cost.
Oh, and while Deas was driving the RV to the hospital, he noticed that our rear camera wasn’t working. When it rains, it pours, I guess. He got under the dash to try to jiggle the wires and see if he could fix it. He didn’t, but it did make for a funny picture.
The next morning we continued east, down one camera and up two prescriptions of antibiotics. We drove as far as Boydton, VA and found a great COE campground called Rudds Creek, and booked a spot for the night.
However I just wasn’t feeling so great, so I spent much of the afternoon laying in bed. I assumed I was just run down from my body fighting off the infection. But when I woke up the next morning, the big red splotch on my arm had gotten bigger. So off I went to another doctor, who switched out one of my antibiotics for a stronger one.
So life on the road isn’t always hiking, sightseeing, eating, and generally having fun. Sometimes your dog has to have emergency surgery, and sometimes you yourself end up in an ER!
So far (fingers crossed, knock on wood, whatever else I can do not to jinx myself…) the new antibiotic seems to be working. I really hope this is the last post I have to make about it, or any other issues for that matter!
Our next destination was Pocahontas State Park outside of Richmond, VA. Deas’s youngest brother lives nearby in Chesterfield, so we came to visit them for a few days. As soon as we got here, Deas immediately started scouring all the empty campsites for any leftover firewood. He’s do anything to save a buck. This always cracks me up, but after talking to several other RVing friends, I learned he’s not the only who does this!
This state park is really nice – lots of huge, private sites (water/electric only), and several walking trails. They also have an extensive system of bike trails, and kayaking opportunities on Swift Creek Lake. The park was practically empty during the week, but filled up over the weekend. We really enjoyed our stay here and would return again. Deas said the showers here were the nicest he’s ever seen in a campground!
There is also an amphitheater in the park, and on Sunday night of our visit, there was a concert scheduled. It’s one of those venues where you bring your own chairs and it’s all general seating on the lawn. Deas’s brother and his family came over and we cooked steaks on the grill at our site, and then enjoyed the concert.
Next stop: Shenandoah National Park.
Ok, no more stories involving doctors of any kind, please. Safe and healthy travels for all of you!
No kidding! We’ve had our fill for the year, I hope.
Just noooo! I have to admit I probably wouldn’t have thought much about a bug bit either, but thank goodness you have smart friends on FB. Fingers and paws crossed this is the last of your bumps in the road!
Nina
Yes, it was so easy to not think much of it since it wasn’t even bothering me! I’m hoping that’s the last of that story.
Jen & Deas, first off, hope you are feeling better Jen. Bugs be gone! (Poof, I have hensforth protected you!) Feeling your pain-went last month to P/U RV and paid $2,900+ and went to drive off and noted back-up camera not working…thought they had “jiggled” wire while doing other work…But NO! New camera approx $500… It is still in shop as we have been unable to P/U due to Sherry also being in shop (i.e. surgery for gallbladder like Nikki!) So…we’ll see what’s next on the “we’re the only idiots who pay big $$$ for an RV only to drive 1000 miles down the road, have it break down and put it into shop for repairs”-(Deas sage words outside Pizza joint near Grayton Beach-1/2015!!!) And just so you know, Deas and I have to collect wood so we can pay for this crap and be “Happy Campers” regardless of cost…at least it ain’t for wood!!!
Thanks Kim! Sorry to hear about the RV woes – hope it gets resolved quickly so you can get back out there! And get well wishes for Sherry!
Glad to hear you decided to ask for advice. This same thing happened a friend in our park while in FL. Luckily, other friends were with us and she was Nurse Practitioner. She sent the other friend packing to the doctor, as well. She was a mess by time this happened but all cleared up eventually. So glad to hear you are on the mend:) Take care:)
Love Deas’ helper while working on the camera:) It is always something it seems. I guess driving your house down the road at 60 does that!!
Yes in hindsight I’m glad I went ahead and saw someone – ER said I had waited and it got worse than it was, that they likely would have admitted me! Still can’t believe that can happen with just an innocent bug bite, but all is well now! And yes it seems we always have a “helper” or two underfoot!
So glad that your arm is on the mend. Hopefully you guys won’t have any more mishaps anytime soon. Also wanted to say that I love, love, love the new blog format with larger photos 🙂
Thank you so much! I was worried about the pics being too big so thank you for saying that. We are headed to Shenandoah today – I’ll give you a cell status update when I can.
Fingers crossed this is the last of the issues for you guys. That sure looks like an excellent park, thanks for takingme there!
Fingers crossed here too!
Man, Jen! What a crazy ride! Hope the infection has been kicked to the curb and you’re ready to get on with it! Thanks for the shoutout to our blog. Now I have to get crackin’ and write something! It won’t be easy keeping up with the Nealys! We’re heading to Seattle tomorrow to get that prosthetic device fore Chester. The prototype worked great and we’re ready to get back to hiking-or even walking. Plopped down at a beautiful corp park near Nashville, checked Roxy and Cooper in to a resort and will be heading out before dawn. Safe AND healthy travels to ‘ya! Until we meet again…
Let us know how the trip to Seattle went! Hoping it went well!
Wow, first the dog and now you. Good thing you went to the DR. Things seem to happen in threes for some odd reason. Thus, I think you’ve had your three’s. Hope everyone is on the mends and that camera is working.
I really hope you are right about that! Still haven’t figured out the camera thing. Did have one more little piece of drama with me though….but hopefully FINALLY over all of it now!
I keep wondering how your ARM is
Arm is finally all better, thank goodness!