DECATUR, IN: Time to Celebrate

Over the last week or so, we have worked through several issues, each with its own share of ups and downs, stress and relief.

Monday, Hank received word that the sleep study definitely showed he still has sleep apnea and clearly needs a CPAP machine. The local hospital's equipment provider couldn't help him because of Medicare requiring the purchase to be made in the 'zone'  covering our legal residence (Florida).  They recommended a national company (Lincare) with HQ in Clearwater FL, and offices all over the country including one in Ft. Wayne, about 30 miles from Decatur. 

On Tuesday Lincare agreed to work with him, but Medicare had a number of additional requirements including an office visit with his care provider during the 90 days preceding the sleep study, and a follow up visit with the care provider between 30 and 90 days after the CPAP device is provided.  Hank had seen his doctor while we were in Raleigh in July and we agreed to have a follow up with him in early November.  They also needed a copy of an order/prescription with some diagnostic information from a care provider. A call to Hank's doctor in NC provided that after some delay because the doctor doesn't write call in prescription requests until after the day's office visits are over. 
On Wednesday, Lincare called and said that Medicare requires a copy of the doctors notes from our July "face to face" appointment - notes to include a discussion of what sleep apnea is and how it is treated with CPAP.  (They didn't care that Hank has been on CPAP for over 22 years!).  In order to meet this requirement, Hank had to find some care provider to fill that requirement, and Lincare needed that info from the care provider no later than Thursday afternoon in order for them to get their order and paperwork done in time for us to get the new machine on Friday.  After some arm twisting, Hank got a couple of suggestions of doctors in the Fort Wayne area that might be willing to give a quick  appointment.  Luckily one agreed to set us up with an appointment on Thursday morning.

Thursday morning, we went to the doctors office in Fort Wayne to meet with a PA who did an hour long respiratory / cardio physical and consultation of what sleep apnea is and how it is treated (CPAP).  We returned to Decatur and that afternoon got word from Lincare that they had the needed report from the appointment earlier today, but now they were having trouble getting it through their system because we were "out of zone" (back to that again).  Their system was not accepting the orders and they were having to contact their headquarters to see if/how they could fill the order.  In the mean time they gave us a tentative appointment for noon on Friday.

At 8:30 Friday morning we got a call from Lincare that they were still trying to get the order placed but so far had not been successful, and in the mean time they needed yet one more piece of information.  They need the NPI (National Provider Identifier) number of either my doctor in Raleigh or the one who saw us Thursday morning.   Hank suggested they call the doctor directly, but they may not get word back from Raleigh until late afternoon.  Lincare said they would call the Fort Wayne office we had visited Thursday morning.  They subsequently called back and said that doctor was out of the office and would not be back until Monday.  They then called the doctor in NC and Hank followed up with a personal call to the office explaining the situation and asking them to expedite the information.  Lincare soon called back and told us they now had all that was needed but were still struggling with the order,and we shouldn't make the 50 minute trip to their office until we heard from them.  At about 11:45 we got a call that they were able to fill the order by assigning us to their Fort Walton Beach office but filling the order in Fort Wayne, so everything was finally in order and we could high tail it up there for our noon appointment.  We were out the door in 5 minutes and arrived there at about 12:18 where the receptionist informed us that we were late!, but the tech knew the situation and was much more friendly.  We got back to Decatur at about 2:30.

After well over 100 emails and phone calls, numerous delays, and  nervous waiting periods in between each step, we finally have the new CPAP machine and it appears to be a very good one (about 3 times the $500+ cost of the one proposed by the hospital).  Last night Hank had his first good sleep in a long time!

In the meantime, Little House has been waiting for its turn in the repair bays to get needed repairs (listed below).  Monday, we got word that the warranty claim had been approved but an inspector's visit would be necessary, which we expected.  We also found out that the most important and most expensive items on the list was no longer available. Tuesday afternoon, the inspection took place, and a final approval for the work arrived on Wednesday.   Thursday afternoon, the work began. Friday morning, at 6 A.M., the RV returned to the work bay and all was completed by 2:15 P.M.... or so we thought.  Through an oversight on REV's part, they didn't install the new awning motor, so that had to be done this morning. 

The items taken care of over the last 12 days included:

• 29 point inspection
• chassis lube
• replace 2 diesel fuel filters
• manufacturer recall - replace/relocate exhaust clamp
• steering components lube
• leak sealed around patio awning and exterior slide out moldings
• locate/replace fuses for patio light and exterior lighted grab bar
• replacement of Electrical Management System control board.
• Toilet flush ball seal replaced
• Wiper seal on rear of driver's side slide out re-secured
• Front roof A/C unit's control unit replaced  (this also was the source of a Aqua-Hot problem)
• Patio awning motor replaced
• R-5000 dash unit is no longer available  (we've since found a replacement source at much lower cost)

Our extended service agreement covered $1800 of the bill.  And, we're now free to continue on to our next stop - Branson, MO.

Today is also an important day because it's our 50th wedding anniversary. Tonight we celebrated with a delicious buffet dinner at the Back 40 Junction Restaurant with our friends, Carmen and Jim, who are also here for repairs.

 



  Our life together has been blessed in so many ways, and we are grateful for each and every one.

DECATUR, IN; Playing the Waiting Game

It's been a quiet time for us as the process continues to get our repair & maintenance jobs taken care of here at the REV Visitors Center in Decatur, IN.  After doing the diagnostics on Tuesday, they had to send a claim to the extended service company, with prices of parts and hours of service needed for each item. Yesterday,  we were told the claim has been sent and received and the claim is being reviewed.  This facility does not work on weekends, so it will be Monday before we hear anything else, but then we expected these kind of delays when we got here.  The major parts needed have been ordered since the work will be done even if the warranty doesn't cover everything.

Hank has used a CPAP machine for over 20 years, and this week it died.  He's had several nights with little sleep and he's spent several hours on the phone with his doctor's office, Medicare, home test sources and durable medical equipment providers. Yesterday he received a home test kit which he used last night.  Now he waits to hear the results before his purchase of a replacement machine can be covered by Medicare.

REV is closed on weekends, so it's very quiet in the RV lot now.  There's beetween 16 and 20 motor homes here waiting for work but the lot will start filling up tomorrow with rigs coming in for appointments on Monday.  The weather has remained cool, with occasional rain during  the last 3 days. 

DECATUR, IN; Birthplace of Little House

Sunday we said farewell to Elkhart, IN after a very nice two-week stay.  We drove southeast  through Indiana farmland to Decatur, IN, about 22 miles south of Ft. Wayne.  Decatur, IN is home to one of the larger RV companies in the world - Fleetwood - as well as other RV-related industries.  Decatur is also the place where Little House was made.  We are camped at the REV Factory Service Center in the newly redone RV parking area with electric hookups. Our appointment was originally  just for some routine maintenance work and a possible recall item, but since we made the appointment several months ago, a few other needed repairs have been added to the list.  There will be more details on those in subsequent posts.

Our day started very early. We had to have Little House ready to roll by 6 A.M. and then we had to meet with the service writer and techs about our needed service.  The non-warranty work will be done as soon as possible, and the warranty items will have to be submitted to the warranty company for approval before repairs can be made.  We expect to be here at least a week as the process continues. 

We spent most of the day in the lounge where there's almost always someone to visit with.  Today we had the pleasure of meeting Bill, who is also a ham  and someone we have met through the amateur radio airwaves  but never met in person.  What a small world!  There is also a couple here from another group we belong to (Diane and John).  Friendly conversation definitely makes the hours go by faster.

Tomorrow we'll get to sleep in a little later as we wait for the next call to the work bay.

ELKHART, IN: Another Rally Ends and Life Goes On

The IRV2 Rally  officially ended last Friday evening.  There were 3 more breakfasts with coffee and donuts and one with fruit, and assorted muffins and pastries,. Daytime activities included many seminars, and tours of nearby RV plants, and there was plenty of time for daytime socialization and evening campfires.

Wednesday, we paired up with Sally and Ken. Our first stop was in Pigeon Creek, MI at Bontrager's RV Surplus to check out any parts that might tempt us, then it was on to  Shipshewana to shop at the Flea Market.  This event is held every Tuesday and Wednesday and it's huge!  We only walked through a small part of it, but found a few bargains to bring home.  We ate lunch at the 5&20 Country Kitchen, stopped at the Rise 'n Roll Bakery to enjoy samples and look longingly at the many temptations, and we explored some of the Amish farming areas as we returned to Elkhart.  That evening,  the rally provided an Elkhart County Cookout with burgers, brats, baked beans, potato salad, mac 'n cheese, chips, and cake.  The evening's entertainment was bingo with cash prizes.

Thursday, there were corn hole and Gotcha (a board game) tournaments. We didn't participate in those. The rally organized  a group dinner at the Das Duchman Essenhaus in nearby Middlebury.  There was a Classic Car Drive-In on the premises as well as Amish shops to visit, followed by a family style dinner. The delicious meal included salad, bread and apple butter, fried chicken, roast beef, dressing, noodles, gravy, corn, drinks and pie.

Friday, we visited the RV/Mobile Home Hall of Fame nearby and spent two hours looking at the assortment of vehicles from times gone by up to the present.  Friday evening, there was an an ice cream social and time for many to say farewell.

Saturday, there was a small breakfast gathering to finish up the leftover donuts and close out another great rally.  Our Raleigh friends were staying until Sunday, so Saturday evening we all went to a Perkins Restaurant along with a few of the other rally attendees.

Most of this country's RV's are manufactured in this area, as well as many of the RV components.  This week is the annual Elkhart Dealer Open House where dealers from all over can look at the new models and place their orders for next year.  RV parking areas have sprung up all over the area as each manufacturer wines and dines the dealers in hope of getting their business.  This event is not open to the general public, but it's interesting to see so many RV's in one city..

We'll be here at the Elkhart Campground until Sunday.  We're getting chores done as well as visiting some of the surrounding towns for business and pleasure. The weather has been great except for one rainy day, and now daytime highs are in the mid-80's.  Cooler weather is promised over the coming weekend.

ELKHART, IN: IRV2 International Rally

Sunday morning, we left Hopkins, MI, headed south on US 131 and ended  up at the Elkhart Campground in Elkhart, IN.  This large, full-service park has about 350 sites and they are very close to being full.  We are here for the week-long IRV2 International Rally with over 100 RV's in attendance. There will be group gatherings, large and small, daily seminars, and several meals provided.

 Sunday night was the opening and we an appetizer buffet with meatballs in barbeque sauce, mini cheese quiches, chicken sliders with condiments, cheese/tomato skewers, amd crackers and cheese. 

Monday morning there was a catered hot breafast with scrambled eggs (plain or cheesy), sausage patties, hash brown casserole, biscuits, bagels, spread, coffee and juice. Door prizes were given out and we received a $10 Walmart gift card. 

This morning there was coffee and donuts provided, and this will be the same for the next 3 mornings.  We had a free Subway lunch from one of the vendors for attending their seminar during the lunch hour. Tonight we have a catered dinner.....and the list goes on.

This is a special gathering for us as 5 of our Raleigh friends are here: Sally and Ken, Bob and Sue, and Jim.  A ham/RV acquaintance, John from New York, is here as well.  And of course, we've met lots of other people and exchanged stories.

The rest of the week promises to be fun and interesting.

Hopkins, MI: Hidden Ridge RV Resort

Thursday we drove 5 hours from St. Ignace, MI to near Hopkins, MI via I-75, US 27, MI 55, and US 131.  Our destination was the Hidden Ridge RV Resort, ,a large campground with 322 sites.  There are special areas by the pond and the lake with pull-in motor home sites, so you can enjoy the nice view.  Other back-in sites cater to fifth-wheels or trailers with rear windows.  Everything looks to be in pristine condition, and there are apparently many RV's parked here all season. We needed somewhere with a sewer and water connection to get caught up on laundry and one of our RV membership groups gave us a good discount here so this will be home for 3 days.  There is free cable and free WiFi, paved roads and concrete pads.

Tomorrow we'll finish our journey south to Elkhart, IN for the International IRV2 Rally.

ST. IGNACE, MI: We're Heading South

The past 8 days in St. Ignace has been very enjoyable.  We've explored some more areas of this part of the upper peninsula of Michigan,  as we found out how much unsettled land there is here and we've seen many beautiful  views of the Great Lakes .  The weather has been comfortably cool for the most part with only 2 days of occasional rain, and fall color is starting to appear in some of the trees.  The casino across the parking lot has enticed us to spend a few dollars while we entertained ourselves for several hours.  We've enjoyed meals with our friends, Dave and Charlotte, and spent some more time at their summer home on Lake Michigan, and we've met several interesting people here in the RV parking area.  Ham radio has kept us in touch with many friends around the USA, and we've had plenty of time to spend with our computers.

Today we'll cross the Mackinac Bridge and drive 275 miles southwest to Hopkins, MI.