Nov. 2023 Full stop for health repairs.

Nov. 2023  A knee,  an eye,  and a postponed trip

Spring, summer and fall cruising were all a bust.  Original plans to do the Downeast loop were reduced to doing an Erie Canal transit, which was reduced to doing a Chesapeake Bay trip, which was reduced to doing a NC trip which was finally reduced to doing no travel.  On a positive note - our relocation to Richmond Hill, GA is complete.  We ultimately decided to purchase the condo we were renting here. Super happy with that decision and calling Richmond Hill our dirt home.  The primary reason for lack of cruising has been taking care of medical issues.  Setting up new doctors has proven time consuming and elective surgery is still backlogged from Covid.  While we appreciate the access to better medical facilities compared to our more remote location in NE GA, we miss the personalized and timely service our local doctor up there provided.  

New home - we're bottom right side of this 4 unit building.
30 buildings in the neighborhood.

After determining this year was shot, we next were trying for a winter cruise to Key West and the Bahamas.  Even had a slip secured there for the month of Feb.  Another cruise that now appears unlikely to happen.

Medical issues were not serious - just normal age-related aggravating items.   Martha's left knee has given her problems for several years.   She was hoping to make it until she got on Medicare before having work done but the bone-on-bone pain became too much.  She had full knee replacement surgery in Oct. which we thought was a positive and could actually work better timewise for our Key West plans.  Recovery has been remarkable.  Still doing physical therapy with positive comments and the incision has healed over beautifully. So, we're expecting a full recovery and return to complete crew duties soon.

Stapled up knee a week after surgery - after 2 months barely a scar

 

X-ray of Martha's new knee. An impressive piece of stainless steel

John's issue has been eye related.  About 15 years ago I had ICL surgery.  It was a new procedure at the time and essentially involves putting a permanent contact lens in your eye. Worked great all these years but as I've aged cataracts have formed in both eyes.  They got bad enough in my left eye I needed surgery.  Had it done in Sept. thinking it would give time to recover before Martha's knee surgery. Unfortunately, a normal 10-minute cataract procedure turned into 40 minutes of surgery as the ICL lens had adhered to my eye. Removal was difficult and time consuming before the actual cataract surgery.   Long story short, my vision is currently compromised in that eye - basically can make out fuzzy shapes and colors with sensitivity to light.  It will require additional surgery with a specialist that is scheduled for Jan. putting an end to any winter travels.  

2 weeks after surgery the Ophthalmologist's comment - "That eye is very angry."
2 months later while specialist surgeon is examining - "Oh My!"

We therefore decided it would be a smart move to relocate the boat closer to home.  A slip is confirmed at Brunswick Landing Marina in Brunswick, Ga.  for Dec. thru March. It's an easy 1 hour drive south on I-95 instead of the 4 hour drive up to Little River, SC and Lightkeepers Marina.  Just need to get the boat moved somehow.