Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 12, 2025 ...

When the time comes to "hang up the keys"...

November 19, 2011, 06:38:48 pm

Several folks have been asking and wondering what has happened to (John Christman) including my status with my health and my coach.  The answer is rather lengthy and will be covered in at least three posts.  (Sorry Steve & Michelle, if I'm posting in the wrong category--I tried to find the best place and chose this one). This first post covers what has made up the decision to "hang up the keys".  The second post covers the sale of my very well maintained love of my life.  The third post -- well that's something that I'm hoping everyone on the forum will be clamoring to read & it will soon be coming.

Let me start by saying, that while I always knew the day would come that I would be having to "hang up the keys," I never thought for one minute that it would happen so soon or so quickly.  Currently I am 68 years of age.  My Foretravel U320 was my 4th motorhome and by far the most dependable & most comfortable coach I've ever laid eyes on.  I'm a five year graduate of the former Life On Wheels (LOW), the very best RV education programs ever put together.  I was also a sponsor, on the teaching staff and webmaster for LOW till the founder Gaylord Maxwell passed away in 2008.  Some people say I've forgotten more than many RV'ers will ever learn.

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Almost five years ago, I found myself 350 miles from the Foretravel factory & Motorhomes of Texas (MOT) in my 3rd motorhome, out of propane in less than 3 days, no electric heaters and I-10 closed in both directions from Fort Stockton to Houston, because of a freak ice storm covering most of the state & lasting a full week.  Fortunately, both cell phone and computer worked and I was able to join the Yahoo Foretravel forum asking a lot of questions.  Three people--Dave Head, Tim Fiedler and long time friend Dave Jenkins (old-pusher) jumped right in answering my questions and got me all set up with MOT to trade my (Winnie) for the U320 that I purchased in February 2007.  I believe I still hold the record as a FT owner, for sleeping every night in Nacogdoches, TX.  Nine and a half weeks!

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The start of my downhill run began with my morning walk one cold morning in January 2008 here in Washington State.  I heard a loud C-R-A-C-K when my left knee went out on me.  I was able to limp to my coach and after all sorts of tests found out that I had Osteonecrosis and Osteoarthritis in that knee.  Because of my weight, and being diabetic...no doctor was willing to do surgery. (I've lost over 125 pounds since that incident).  Fast forward to January 2010 and virtually the same thing happened to the right knee.  Now I knew I was in trouble, some 1500 miles from "home"--cause I was in Quartzsite, AZ at a gathering with other FT owners.

I managed to get back up to Washington State despite the pain and discomfort of two bad knees, but things deteriorated rather rapidly from March 2010 onward.  In April 2010, I tripped & fell, shattering my right shoulder and socket in multiple places.  That stunt has severely restricted movement of both my arm and hand.  Then in March 2011, it was recommended that I get a set of orthotics for my feet and my neighbor in the RV park I was staying in recommended just such a doctor.  I found out shortly afterwards, that I had been given orthotics for a normal person (not one with diabetes) and that a diabetic ulcer had formed on the bottom of my left heel.  What made this even more painful was that I paid cash money out of my own pocket--being misinformed that medical insurance wouldn't cover the costs.  The time it takes for any wound on a person with diabetes to heal is many many times longer than for a person who is not diabetic...and this is where things have caused me to realize "hanging up the keys" was the ONLY decision that I could make at this time in my life.  Yes, as I looked back over my life, beginning about 30 years ago, I can clearly see when I turned left, I should have turned right.  I'll bet we all can.  This diabetic ulcer became infected which put me in the hospital ONE DAY before a luxury cruise to Alaska (I had been planning to take long before getting the Orthotics was ever conceived) was scheduled to happen and then after the hospital stay, I was transferred to a Rehab facility for two months to learn how to walk again and keep my balance.

Health-wise, I'm certainly not out of the woods yet, as some of the out patient treatments never got completed correctly, so now I'm seeing a Podiatrist once a week for some sophisticated wound dressing changes as the infection has spread to both legs and I've been told "it will be a LONG time before everything heals up."  Besides having to walk only on my toes (putting no weight on my heels), I'm also not allowed to take a bath or shower till the infection is cleared up (perhaps in several months) !  No fear though--I've learned how to take a "sponge" bath. 

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My next installment (post #2) covers the events leading up to and including the incredibly painless sale of my Foretravel.  Yes, I have sold it!  I'm sure you will find this next installment quite fascinating reading and perhaps even hilarious at times.

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Re: When the time comes to "hang up the keys"...

Reply #1 – November 19, 2011, 06:47:43 pm

Dear John.

Thank you for taking time to share your reasons with us.  You have added much credence to the common goal of many who RV -- which is to enjoy the ability to RV now, because you never know when it will change.
I have appreciated your insight and your advice these past few years that we have been "pen pals" and you know that I wish for you the very best.  Get well soon.

Kind regards,

George

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Re: When the time comes to "hang up the keys"...

Reply #2 – November 19, 2011, 07:42:48 pm

John, I remember your experience with your prolonged stay at FOT.  I regret that we never met in person and that I never was able to see that great coach.  I am sorry that your health problems have gotton so bad, having had back surgery twice in three years I can appreciate In small way how uncomfortable a person can get.
I wish the best for you and I still hope that some day we can meet.
Good Luck
Gary B

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Re: When the time comes to "hang up the keys"...

Reply #3 – November 19, 2011, 07:50:08 pm

John, stay strong and persevere.  There are millions of reasons why "stuff" happens, but there's no sense in revisiting the past.  I hope your future finds you surrounded by those who love and care for you.  We all do at ForeForums.
 
You always grounded me from time to time and I certainly appreciated it.
 
All the Best!

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Re: When the time comes to "hang up the keys"...

Reply #4 – November 19, 2011, 08:24:30 pm

It's good to be reminded that we don't just need to plan a start in the RV lifestyle, but we also need to think about when we end the lifestyle. I wish you all the best. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Craig

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Re: When the time comes to "hang up the keys"...

Reply #5 – November 19, 2011, 08:45:45 pm

Hi John,

We think about you often. And are so happy we were able to spend time with you when you so graciously gave Kathleen and me a tour of Seattle.

We plan to spend most of next Summer in the Washington/Oregon area.

We'd love to stop in and see you. Please let us know where you are. We will certainly be close by.

You attitude sounds great! That is so good for your health. We wish you continued progress health-wise.

With warm regard, and positive thoughts,

Paul and Kathleen

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Re: When the time comes to "hang up the keys"...

Reply #6 – November 19, 2011, 10:38:27 pm

Hi John,

These descriptive updates are a generous gift from you to those of us who have come to know you and who care about how you are doing.  Thanks.

Didn't see any of this stuff (except selling the FT and living elsewhere) specifically coming in our talks by the lake about the picture we need to have in our heads of what we want to be able to say is true about our lives five years out, and the decisions we need to make today and tomorrow to help ourselves give it a chance to come true.  But you are certainly showing growing mastery of the "You can take away my (fill in the blank), but you will never get me" perspective as essential to the project, whatever obstructions occur.

Maybe I'm being a bit personal for a public forum, but anyone understands why, it is you.

Glad to have you back.  Be well, even if....

Bob and Karen

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Re: When the time comes to "hang up the keys"...

Reply #7 – November 20, 2011, 09:21:20 am

Just because you no longer are in a FT does not change friendship. Wish you all the best. 

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Re: When the time comes to "hang up the keys"...

Reply #8 – November 20, 2011, 10:20:33 am

John,

We have known each other a long time, and I enjoy your friendship from a distance to this day.  You have persevered through many challenges the past few years, I am confident that you will overcome these challenges as well.  Best wishes for remarkable improvement in your health issues, it is good to see your quick mind and sense of humor are intact.

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Re: When the time comes to "hang up the keys"...

Reply #9 – November 20, 2011, 11:02:31 am

I'm thrilled with the health improvement and the weight loss. I know the sale of the coach lifted a huge weight off your shoulders, especially after dealing with local incompetence.
Here's to continued improvement a a future Florida visit to see Dave Jenkins and meet Starr and I.

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