The cost of surgery

I saw the eye surgeon this afternoon, really late this afternoon. My appointment was at 3:40, and I could have kicked myself for taking an appt that late. I was put in a small room and waited until 5pm, then went over and opened the door to the exam room just as the doctor was walking up. I told him I was getting claustrophobic as well as stressed out about having to drive home in the dark. He kicked up the pace a couple of notches.

He told me that there is a new implant on the market that is excellent and that corrects distance as well as close up vision. This lens costs $2300 and insurance doesn't cover it. He gave me a pamphlet to read all about it before I decide, but according to the pamphlet Medicare covers some of the cost. I have very good Blue Cross coverage to pick up after Medicare, so I don't understand why I would have to pay the whole $2300, which I can't do, so I will have to call BCBS on Monday to get the real info. I'm torn, because I need to have some things checked out and serviced in the 5ver that will cost $. Surgery is set for Feb. 10th, and I'm thinking I really need to have the 5ver work done by the middle or end of May in order to drive it up to Lassen. Until then I can probably "make do" because I don't use the generator anyway, and heat the water with propane rather than electric as it is. There are some other repairs, but nothing that couldn't wait for a couple of months. With really frugal living, maybe I can spare money from Feb & March for part of the cost of the lens, and then devote Apr & May towards the service on the 5ver. I would really love to be able to read without glasses. I was thrilled with contacts for the years I could wear them and would love to just toss the glasses into the trash.

After I washed dishes this evening I noticed that all the water didn't drain out of the sink. In my pj's and bathrobe, carrying a flashlight, I went outside and released some of the water from the galley tank. I'm surprised that it filled up as quickly as it did. Now that I have hot water I use and wash more dishes, and probably use more water than when it's icy cold. Tomorrow I will have to go drain all the tanks. I'm using the city water connection which is great in that I don't have to listen to that water pump every time I turn on the tap, but I'm wondering if the water in the fresh tank will stay decent until I need it. I suppose I can always wait until I'm ready to move, disconnect city water, and then drain the fresh into the sink.

The racetrack is lit up again tonight and once in a while I hear the loudspeaker - nothing noisy though. One thing I do hear from before daylight and way into the night is the sound of vehicles driving over the gravel in this parking lot. Sometimes it's the trucks & cars while other times I can tell that it's an RV as well. I suppose that over in the other lot which is cement you couldn't hear the comings & goings as acutely. I like the gravel lot because it is definitely roomier for pull thru, and it is much more level. Since I'm on the end I just pull my truck cross-wise in front of the 5ver, and there is plenty of room to swing around when driving the truck out. I hear experienced fulltimers talk about "hitch itch" and I think I'm beginning to understand how it can develop and grow on a person. While I'm happy with this park and couldn't find a better location, my mind is already preparing to pull up stakes and move on to the next place - hopefully one with friendly RVers who clean up after their pets.