I'm Back in the Game!

Two weeks ago today I had my second Carpal Tunnel surgery.  I met with my doctor yesterday to have my stitches removed.  All looks good and I'm already feeling the relief.

 Stitches out.  

It's amazing to think that a small probe was inserted in the incision and basically they hollowed out the tunnel that the nerves move through; the purple dots are the farthest point that the 'probe' was extended into my hand.  I have so much empathy for people who have had intense surgery.  Mine was incredibly minor and it took a lot out of me.  The biggest thing I missed: showering with both hands!  When I washed my hair and shaved today it was wonderful to use both hands. 

The teardrop sat under our pop up cover for the past two weeks.  I was able to get in and check to see that the caulk had set up properly and that everything was dry.  I used a jet nozzle on the hose to try to pinpoint the leak in the cabin.  It ended up being a tiny spot under the bulkhead and one of the screw holes.  Now that it is all dried out again, I'll be able to touch up those tiny spots.  I'm going to, just for good measure, caulk underneath as well.  I'm going to use some caulk that is designed for roofing applications.  It's black and will blend in well with the frame.  Once we are sure all is sealed up, I can put the linoleum and mattress back in place.

I will need to wait for the rock guard to dry.  Of course, we had the pop up in place for two weeks; no rain.  Take it down; rain.  I didn't get the aluminum strip glued in place yet; hopefully a dry evening will allow the rock guard to dry.  Then, a few minor fixes in the interior and we will be ready for our next road trip.  We are planning a family get away to Starved Rock State Park soon.  We've heard a lot about it, but never made it there.  This will be our first time with the kids too!

Two Week Hiatus

We arrived home on Wednesday evening.  Thursday was a day of catching up and taking care of the yard and other projects that needed tending to.  Friday morning I was scheduled for surgery.  This would be my second Carpal Tunnel surgery (I had my right wrist done a couple of years ago.)  I knew what I was getting myself into and was stocked up on books, movies and the like.  The long road trip certainly proved that I needed the surgery; my arm would fall asleep while driving after only a minute or two.  That and being woken up several times in the night with the throbbing pain let me know the time was here for the second surgery.

Me coming to from the anesthesia.

My son giving me a hug post-surgery.

My 'orange' arm in the elevated position.

The joke with my family was that my surgeon dipped my arm in Cheetos after the surgery.  Of course it really was the iodine that they use to make sure everything is sterile, but it's a fun joke.  

I've now had almost a week of recovery.  My biggest 'problem' is itching under the bandages.  A chopstick works darn well for that purpose.  I'm typing quite well I must say; once again I'm thrilled that I learned to type 'properly' in high school because my fingers intuitively know where the keys are and I don't even have to think about it.

The teardrop has had nearly a week of hot, dry weather.  It's still quite humid, but there has been no rain since we've returned.  We've been able to have the doors open to allow plenty of air to circulate inside.  I checked yesterday on the caulk.  It appears to have completely 'cured.'  Unfortunately, I am not sure how to 'check' to see if the leak(s) have been fixed without hitching up the trailer and driving it through a rainstorm.  

Before we do that, we are planning to take further precautions.  I plan to caulk the 'gap' from underneath as well.   I am going to use the spray on rubberized coating called "Leak Stop" to  give me some assurance of a seal.  Additionally, I plan to add a rubber membrane (probably another inner tube section over the area that has been caulked.  Lastly, I'll use the same Leak Stop product underneath and along the gap on the teardrop.  I don't think there is anything else I can do.  The thing that stinks is that I won't 'know' for sure if it is fixed until I pull it through a bad storm.