I’M STILL HEEE-RE
By Carol Ann
During our RV journeys, Jim, my hubby, and I stayed in Rincon Country West Resort in Tucson, Arizona, for the winter of 2003. We were relaxing on our patio, when the 36’ Pace Arrow motor home, drove up across from us. A thin gentleman with white hair popped out of the door; went to the back of their rig and with a few hand signals had the driver of the motor home back up perfectly into the site, lined-up perfectly for the water, sewer, electric and cement patio. We were curious to see who the driver was that did this excellent parking job with only one try. Off goes the engine and out walks a petite lady, with short brown hair and big smile. After watching numerous big rig drivers make many attempts to find the right spot, we were flabbergasted to see this lovely little lady accomplish a task that eluded so many other experienced men. We had to meet her and her partner.
These two lovely travelers native to New Orleans, were fulltime RVers. The expert driver was Claudette and her husband of more than 50 years was Don.
Don had retired from AT&T after 40 years of service and transfers to New Jersey and Ohio. After raising a daughter Debbie and a son Donnie, Jr.; they sold their home in Ohio and hit-the-road. They were fortunate enough to cross the United States three times. They not only traveled by motor home, but they also participated in Volkswalking. That is a German term, “volksmarch,” meaning “a people walk.” They explained that these Volkswalks took place all over the country and they earned badges for completing the 10 kilometers or 6.2 mile treks.
Don’s 26 surgeries, including inserting a pacemaker and defibrillator, didn’t seem to slow them very much, other than Claudette taking over the driving responsibilities. They traveled from Florida to Alaska. They were very unassuming people, but had wonderful stories to share, if someone took the time to ask.
We loved their independence and they understood our need to travel and learn too. We became fast friends. We might not see each other for a few days, but were thrilled to compare notes of our adventures when we reunited. They told us about fun places to see like
Tombstone
and Jim, who loves photography, would snatch them both up and drive them to Tucson Mountain Park to witness the beautiful desert sunsets. 
At the end of the 2003/04 winter season, we made plans to meet again next winter in Arizona City at Quail Run RV Park. Knowing Don had medical problems, I took the time once we arrived in October of 2004, to learn where the closest hospital facility was located. I never dreamed that my concern for Don would save Jim’s life. Later that month Jim had a heart attack. Thankfully I knew where to drive Jim and they airlifted him to a heart hospital. He had angioplasty and a stent implanted, all in less than an hour and a half. We were workamping at Quail Run and the day after Jim returned from the hospital, the manager told us we would have to leave immediately or pay to stay. I paid for one week to allow Jim to recuperate. I typed a new resume for just me and talked the management of Palm Creek Golf and RV Resort, located in Casa Grande, AZ, to hire me in exchange for a full hook-up site.
I had the sad news to explain to our friends what had happened, but we would be staying only 9 miles away from Quail Run. They had already paid a deposit to stay at Quail Run, so we continued to meet and have fun together.
The following year after we both returned from traveling, Don and Claudette joined us at the Casa Grande Resort. Our wedding anniversary was July 27th and their wedding anniversary was July 29th, so we celebrated together on July 28th.
Don’s health was beginning to fail. Their last road trip was to visit their son in Denver, CO and their daughter, in Dayton, OH. Unfortunately he ended up in the local hospital with heart and high blood pressure problems. The high altitude of Denver left him short of breath, during his stay.
When they returned they realized as Jim and I did, that although we LOVED the life on-the-road, that we no longer had the stamina to stay on the road. We both purchased a park model here in this lovely resort and we sold our RV’s.
We still shared local events like the O’OdhamTash, pronounced (O-Au-Tumm Tash) means “gathering of People.” In 1967 the town O’Odham of Casa Grande wanted to celebrate and honor the Native Americans that live on reservations north and south of Casa Grande. It started out as a barbecue and then evolved into a four-day celebration, including a parade, rodeo (with Indian participants from as far away as Canada), arts and crafts exhibits and sale, as well as native foods such as fry bread.
Don had several surgeries for aneurysms, but even with tubes and a vac machine, he still would volunteer working along with Claudette in the mail room. He was always willing to help others. With all of his medical challenges, I never remember him complaining. He pushed through each and every day to make the most of it.
This wonderful gentleman lived a full life. As a younger man he knew how to make wooden toys for his children and grandchildren. He would put his children to bed at night and read stories to them. He and Claudette took their children and grandchildren on many trips with them to share the wonderful experiences of traveling. He was one of those “unsung heroes” that took his responsibilities seriously and took care of his family and always had a wonderful wit. Being with him was a joy.
When I saw him walking around the park with his wife, I could always tell it was him because of his bowed-legs. The years were tough on his body, but his loving wife cared for him, including always feeding him healthy food. I would go to the church service in the resort and bring him a “Holy Cookie” on my way home. After every service they gave out cookies and coffee. I saved mine for Don. I know he had his own stash of candy, but I enjoyed the impish smile he gave me when I arrived with the goodies. Don was also frugal, so getting a FREE treat was even better.
The last couple of months, his visits to the hospital and visits by home health nurses became more frequent. With all that was going wrong, he would still smile and say, “I’m still heee-re!” And so he was.
To complicate things even more, Claudette was volunteering at Palm Creek at a “Welcome Party” by helping serve food. She wanted to give Don a coupon to get a FREE ice cream. As she rushed across the parking lot, she thought she had stepped over one of those cement parking blocks, but her foot caught the top of one and she went flying. The scrapes were nothing compared to her broken left wrist. It was broken so badly that you could see the bone bulging out where it didn’t belong. The manager of the park and one of the volunteers rushed her to the hospital and the office manager called me to let me know the bad news. My hubby stayed with Don and I went to the hospital for support and to give her a ride home. Yes, she needed surgery a few days later and the stress seemed overwhelming, but they both did the best they could each day.
Her frustration was her inability to do everything for Don as she had always done before. She couldn’t even drive for 6 weeks. Everyone in the park chipped in and helped. They did find other ways to get by, like using paper plates, because neither one could stand that long or wash the dishes. We all helped with shopping, doctors’ appointments, clothes washing, etc.
Claudette suffered more pain than she had ever experienced before. She did recover after the surgery. But one night when Don was home, he became very weak and she called us crying that she couldn’t move him from the bathroom. Jim went two sites away to their home, but Don’s legs went limp and he couldn’t move him either. He mouthed to me, “Call 911.” We knew Don didn’t want to go back to the hospital, but it was an impossible situation. We live less than a ½ mile from the hospital and the Rescue Squad and the E.M.T.’s showed up in less than 5 minutes. They were very kind and caring and transported him to the hospital. After a short stay in the hospital and several blood transfusions, the cardiology doctor recommended that Don go to a rehabilitation facility to gain his strength before he went home. He was there only two weeks and Claudette took him for his doctor’s appointment on Friday, August 21st, from the rehab facility and the doctor said that he was doing great and he discharged him and stated that he didn’t have to come back for six-months. Even the staff at the doctor’s office cheered and applauded at the good news. They celebrated by stopping at Cracker Barrel and shared a lovely meal. Don was to be discharged from the rehabilitation facility on Tuesday.
Unfortunately Claudette received a telephone call from the nurse the next morning stating that Don had fallen, but he was okay. When Claudette arrived, he was unresponsive. She called the nurse and the nurse called the doctor. They were suspicious that he had a stroke because one side of his mouth drooped. They transported him to Banner Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, because they specialize in treatment for strokes. Claudette called me crying from the hospital and I joined her as soon as I could make the 45-minute drive. They had done a CT of his brain and it showed that he had a massive bleed in 1/3 of his brain and it even displaced his brain. The doctor offered to keep Don on life-support until his two children could fly in on Sunday. I stayed with her until it was starting to get late. The nurse did some tests to see if he was responsive, but he was already gone. I kissed him good-by and hugged Claudette. They allowed Claudette to spend the last night with him in his ICU room.
The next morning he received the last rites and his daughter and son came to say “Good-by.”
This man was a loving man, a responsibly man, a caring man with a wonderful sense of humor. He didn’t make the nightly news, but he brought joy to those who met him. When I look at his chair, I can still see him with his newspaper saying, “I’m still heee-re.” Yes, he is still here in all of our hearts and memories.
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