Here we go!

[highdesertranger]

I am in the "west" and you surely don't need no AC here. LOL I don't think it has hit 90° yet. in fact today they are calling for a high of a whopping 56°. highdesertranger

 

[NomadicFoodie]

Congratulations!
Have you seen this alternative to the instant hot water heater? https://www.suremarineservice.com/Galley/SPA/ISO-6P2023SPA0003.html
I saw it here on this (overly fancy for me) build but I am tempted.

 

[Cjay1947]

I am in the "west" and you surely don't need no AC here.  LOL  I don't think it has hit 90° yet.  in fact today they are calling for a high of a whopping 56°.  highdesertranger

Thanks
I understand about the west and elevation.  That's my goal. Unfortunately the last time I went to the Colorado high country I ascended way too fast and wound up in the ICU with CHF.  I've since learned that I need to go up no more that 1000 feet in a day. If I experience problems I may have to stay at a lower elevation. It's a plan B so to speak. I'm using freecampsites.net to plan my travels and give myself time to adjust to the changes in altitude.

 

[Cjay1947]

Congratulations!
Have you seen this alternative to the instant hot water heater? https://www.suremarineservice.com/Galley/SPA/ISO-6P2023SPA0003.html
I saw it here on this (overly fancy for me) build but I am tempted.

I checked the link and they are currently out of stock. Looks like a viable alternative. I will keep a lookout for when they are in stock.  Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Cjay1947]

Still trying to resize photos. Solar and electric installed and functioning. Alpicool T-36 working well. Portable A/C works on shore power and 2000 watt Wen generator. I hope my health has improved enough to tolerate higher altitudes. Hopefully I will find out soon. Due to Covid19 hysteria I'm moving up my departure date. I'm lucky to have found a reliable, ethical handyman to do most of this. Houston heat and humidity is as deadly as any virus.

 

[Cjay1947]

Still trying to resize photos. Solar and electric installed and functioning. Alpicool T-36 working well. Portable A/C works on shore power and 2000 watt Wen generator. I hope my health has improved enough to tolerate higher altitudes. Hopefully I will find out soon. Due to Covid19 hysteria I'm moving up my departure date. I'm lucky to have found a reliable, ethical handyman to do most of this. Houston heat and humidity is as deadly as any virus.

 

[Qxxx]

Unfortunately the last time I went to the Colorado high country I ascended way too fast and wound up in the ICU with CHF.  I've since learned that I need to go up no more that 1000 feet in a day. 

Cjay, I find this comment somewhat disturbing. I lived in CO for over 20 years and did a lot of high altitude stuff. Were you actually "diagnosed" by a doctor as having CHF - congestive heart failure? There are a number of different syndromes people have at elevation, and it pays to read up on these. It could have been an off-track diagnosis. There is also Cheyne-Stokes besides those others indicated. Plus a lot of people get to Colorado and they get seriously dehydrated after coming from the high humidity east. Diamox is a common medicine for altitude effects.

Jeez, you can barely drive around the west without being over 5,000' much of the time. Even in NM, the minimum elevation is about 3500' or so. I would look seriously into this before you take off. Maybe get some tests in the hospital where you work.

https://www.medicinenet.com/congestive_heart_failure_chf_overview/article.htm

https://www.pulmonologyadvisor.com/...ulmonary-edema-high-altitude-cerebral-edema/#

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheyne–Stokes_respiration

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6753/diamox-oral/details

 

[Cjay1947]

Thank you. I have an diagnosis of left sided heart failure with preserved EF. I had a MI in January of of 2019. Prior to that I had no problems with altitude. I lived and worked in Santa Fe through most of 2017. I couldn't tell much difference between there and Houston. I have seen a pulmonologist who said I ascended too fast and it caused flash pulmonary edema. He suggested that I ascend or descend no more than a thousabd feet per day. I saw an ER doctor in Montrose who suggested that I use supplemental O2 with my biPap machine at night. Needless to say I'm concerned about this issue. My understanding is that problems don't start occuring untill you're above 4000 ft. However it's a reality that concerns me. I plan on moving up slowly. A very good point about dehydration. I'll pay attention to that. Thanks for links and concern

 

[Cjay1947]

Qxx
I just researched Diamox. I have appointment with my Pulmonologist next week. I will discuss it with him. Sounds like what I need. Thanks so much.

 

[Qxxx]

Gosh, that's rough. Pretty much all of us over 60 have some sort of medical issues we have to deal with when on the road. Hopefully you can get some meds to help out, and work out a way to get them when on the road. 

Geez, you can hardly get to Montrose without going over an 11,000' pass. And Santa Fe is 7,000' too. If you are leaving Houston permanently, you could possibly relocate to a somewhat higher, inbetween elevation and your blood oxygenation will adapt over time, which sounds like something useful.

I bought a Savana 2500 van 3 years ago, so basically identical to your Chevy. I did a very minimalist build, so it's really sort of a metal tent. I live in S&B, and have been traveling about 1/3 of the time (before covid). A lot of stuff you can work on and refine over time. Your ideas will evolve as you go along. Good luck.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I just tuned into this thread a little late, but want to offer an interim stop for you Cjay if you are interested.

You are welcome to boondock here at my place for a day or two, or several days, on your way into Colorado.

I am in Tulia, between Amarillo and Lubbock, and the elevation here is about 3500 feet..so that would be a first 'jump' to the higher altitudes in Colorado.

I have plenty of room, but not much shade for the vehicle. Plenty of shade for people tho! I have tools and room to work if any last minute jobs need to be completed. If you have, or intend to have, A/C, I do have electrical hookups.

Think of it as that first step on your journey of 1000 miles, if that makes sense.

 

[Cjay1947]

Tx2sturgis
Thanks so much for your very generous offer. I had been researching free campsites.net to plan a route that allows me to go from sea level up in elevation gradually. I will pm you when I know for sure when I'm leaving. I'm more than willing to learn from your experience. Thanks again and I'll be in touch.

 

[Cjay1947]

Qxxx
Thanks for your concern. I have been encouraged by the concern shown and the very helpful advice I have received here.. As we age we encounter different problems than when we were younger. The "can do" attitude found in this forum makes me believe that this problem can be solved.

 

[Cjay1947]

Cjay, I find this comment somewhat disturbing. I lived in CO for over 20 years and did a lot of high altitude stuff. Were you actually "diagnosed" by a doctor as having CHF - congestive heart failure?.......

Qxxx
I wanted to let you know I saw my Pulmonologist today and he thinks Diamox is an excellent drug for high altitude sickness. He said if I take it slow I should be ok. Thanks for the heads up

 

[BobBski]

Wishing you all the best and look forward to hearing about your progress.

 

[Cjay1947]

Hi
Test of posting resized photos. Build is almost completed. will post recap of build with photos if this works

 

[Cjay1947]

Hi
Test of posting resized photos