My Retirement The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

[bdpreece]

Some of you may recognize part of my story as I have been posting my retirement plans off and on now for about a year.

Things were working out just the way I wanted them to.

On Monday evening June 4th we listed our hours for sale.

On Thursday June 7th at 11AM my company released me. (I don't know the full package yet but I will get anywhere from about 30 to 45 weeks of full salary, paid medical and be eligible for unemployment). I can retire October 1 so anything past that is just a gift.

On Friday Morning June 8th we signed a full price offer on our house stipulating we must vacate no later than July 10th.

Now for the bad and the ugly.

On Tuesday afternoon June 12th while working at our new to us house I fell off the ladder 8 feet onto the concrete garage floor. In the process I broke my hip, pelvis and jammed the leg into the hip socket so far the bone split. They did surgery on Friday June 15th and I returned home on Sunday June 24th.

The prognosis is pretty good but the recovery requires me to put no weight on the broken hip for a minimum or 3 months and full use will be at least a year. This does create some problems since we must be completely moved no later than July 10th. My sons have stepped up and about 80% of the moving is complete. My cousin and possibly his son and son in law will complete the move the weekend of July 7/8 so it looks doable. The biggest obstacle will be that the house we are moving into has no kitchen as I had just gutted it the week before my accident. I have hired an acquaintance that hopefully will be able to finish it off soon...

For now the motorhome will have to stay parked as I cannot manage the steps to get in; what a bummer.

So far I have been able to keep from being too depressed about all this by thinking about how lucky I am that I didn't hit my head or worse yet break my back or neck and become paralyzed. All things considered I guess God was looking out for me and maybe this is a sign I need to slow down and smell the roses.

[bdpreece]

Some of you may recognize part of my story as I have been posting my retirement plans off and on now for about a year.

Things were working out just the way I wanted them to.

On Monday evening June 4th we listed our hours for sale.

On Thursday June 7th at 11AM my company released me. (I don't know the full package yet but I will get anywhere from about 30 to 45 weeks of full salary, paid medical and be eligible for unemployment). I can retire October 1 so anything past that is just a gift.

On Friday Morning June 8th we signed a full price offer on our house stipulating we must vacate no later than July 10th.

Now for the bad and the ugly.

On Tuesday afternoon June 12th while working at our new to us house I fell off the ladder 8 feet onto the concrete garage floor. In the process I broke my hip, pelvis and jammed the leg into the hip socket so far the bone split. They did surgery on Friday June 15th and I returned home on Sunday June 24th.

The prognosis is pretty good but the recovery requires me to put no weight on the broken hip for a minimum or 3 months and full use will be at least a year. This does create some problems since we must be completely moved no later than July 10th. My sons have stepped up and about 80% of the moving is complete. My cousin and possibly his son and son in law will complete the move the weekend of July 7/8 so it looks doable. The biggest obstacle will be that the house we are moving into has no kitchen as I had just gutted it the week before my accident. I have hired an acquaintance that hopefully will be able to finish it off soon...

For now the motorhome will have to stay parked as I cannot manage the steps to get in; what a bummer.

So far I have been able to keep from being too depressed about all this by thinking about how lucky I am that I didn't hit my head or worse yet break my back or neck and become paralyzed. All things considered I guess God was looking out for me and maybe this is a sign I need to slow down and smell the roses.

[Bob&Pat]

Brian sorry to hear about your fall. Hope you have full recovery and enjoy your retirement.

Congratulations on selling your house quickly, here in Michigan houses in our area are on the market for several years, Michigan is the only state in recession for the past years. Good thing we do not want to sell our home.

This change of life"”style, retirement is great, I "retired"� 03/31/2005 at 60 after 42 years with the same company.

Last summer I stepped out of the motorhome, steps were not out and I fell to the ground and broke my right wrist. So at 61, I had my first cast, however nothing compared to your injury. I was in the middle of remodeling our Master Bath at the time.

Bob

[RV Wizard]

Brian, I too am sorry to hear of your fall. Thank God you did not sustain more serious (although the injuries were not minor) injuries. It is nice to have family that is willing to help out in times of need. We hope that you will be back to 100% real soon. Take care of yourself and keep the dream.

[Petro]

Brian;
I too am sorry to hear of your fall. We have a similar problem. Sunday my wife fell and broke her heel in several places. She has to stay off it for 6 -8 weeks. We are planning on going to IRV2 rally at Branson July 15 - 21. I rented a golf cart and hopefully she can get around better.

We also thank God she was not hurt any worse than she was. We have several Grand Daughters that are helping her with house chores. We also thank God for caring family. Good luck to you on your recovery.

Don

[AL]

Hi All,

To Brian sorry to hear of injuries, but happy to hear of quick house sale and loveing helpfull family!! Hang in there you will be enjoying the RV lifstyle again before you know it !!

To Bev,

Sorry to hear about your injury as well, rest up and enjoy the golf cart and the National! We are not going to make the National this year, but we did meet you and Don last year, so I know Don will help you get through your recovery period just fine!! Maybe we will see you again at next years National where ever it will be!!

[Toby]

Brian

Get well soon. What a bummer to start your retirement. I had my ladder license taken away by the wife several years ago (and chain saw). One thing I have found by getting
old(er), is that we think we can still do the things we use to be able to do when we were younger. But age lets us know we can't. Drink a lot of milk and get back on the road soon s/Toby

[campernut2]

Oh wowo am I sorry that that happened to you but like you said it could have been worse!
I too have gone through the layoffs but was too young to retire. I have to say that I don't trust a job anywhere...that is a sad statement but a very real one these days. My hubby sounds like you thou. He retired a 58 from the Police department with 35 years of service. He moves so fast that he hurts himself a lot too. Slowing down isn't such a bad thing to do.
hope your recovery is swift and fast!

[Mike-n-Teri]

You didn't say if you were Brian or Loretta. That was a first class mishap. Good thing you have the keyboard and Chance, along with your spouse. Next year this be in the past.

Good luck

Mike-n-Teri

[Lynnvt]

Sorry to hear about your injuries. But glad to hear that you have a positive attitude. I fully believe that helps one to heal faster. Use the time you have taking it easy reading, doing research on your future rv trips, writing to us on irv2 and all those other things we never get to because we are too busy. Take up knitting, that can really occupy your time.
You are fortunate that the injuries weren't worse. You are also fortunate to have such great family members pitching in and helping you out. Hang in there and I am sending good thoughts your way.

[full-timer]

Brian,sorry about the mishap. Not a way to start retirement. Things have to get better from here on out. This will give you a chance to think and make plans. Get well soon.

Joe