I love to travel. And I have been blessed to travel more times and more places than I ever imagined possible.
But virtually every time we leave, I get very stressed. I worry about what could happen while we’re gone with the house, or our pet, or what could happen while on the road (or in the air).
And yet, even before we return, I’m planning the next adventure.
Recently we left on another road trip, and I felt a high level of concern as we prepared to leave. I still feel it was due to the external issues. Wars going on around the world, and a high level of unrest here in the US. No matter where you turn, images and news headlines are unnerving and downright heartbreaking.
As we headed out, my mind turned to anticipation of the new discoveries ahead. Fortunately, once we get gone, my worries start to fade away and I live in the moment,
However, our trip took an unexpected turn. There is just no way to be prepared for everything. The day we left my husband began to feel ill. By the second day he was so bad he asked to be taken to the emergency room. We had actually stopped earlier than planned as we headed east. In fact, our first stop in search for a hotel provided no vacancy at several hotels. We got back on the freeway and got off at the next town, Ft. Worth Texas. I was driving and literally pulled into the first hotel we came to.
In hindsight, we have no doubt God directed us. Once we determined we needed to get to ER, I looked on my phone, found a hospital nearby, and off we went. We got in quickly, and discovered he had appendicitis. Because of his blood thinning medications, they could not operate until they adjusted his blood levels. This took a couple of days, and when they did go into surgery, the appendix had ruptured.
The good news is that our story ended well. They cleared the infection, and slowly he recovered. He spent nine days in the hospital, and one day recovering in my hotel.
He was cleared for travel, and by taking it slow and easy, we were able to spend two of our three days planned in Hot Springs National Park! We even spent one day in New Mexico and explored Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Never did I expect a medical emergency in an unfamiliar city. I did not want to have to navigate a busy freeway somewhere away from home, on my own. But when I was faced with the situation, by the grace of God, I did what I needed to do, and overall remained calm.
The hospital doctors, staff and helpers were amazing. We discovered we were in a Trauma 1 hospital, and although our situation was for a time quite serious, they took awesome care of both of us. They were with us through the process keeping us informed.
A part of me wonders if I’d feel comfortable heading out again on another trip. This was scary being away from friends and family. But once we were on our way to enjoy the last five days, we both started thinking about our next trip. Would we loop around so we can experience Congaree National Park since we had to miss it this trip?
Who knows. But I hope I don’t let fear stop me from exploring and enjoying travel experiences with my husband for as long as we can. You just never know what tomorrow holds.
Above: we did enjoy a short visit at White Sands National Park on our way through. We’ve been there before, it is beautiful!
Below: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge:
“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.”
~ Paulo Coelho
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
~ T. S. Eliot
“Who dares nothing, need hope for nothing.”
~ Friedrich Schiller
No matter what you do, life is a risk…
peace of life today 
A wonderful story of God’s provision in a difficult situation Lisa ! So good your hubby recovered well and you were both able to enjoy your trip. Great sayings to conclude with also. “In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.” Ps 36:4
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Thank you, Ashley! Oh, we prayed a lot during that week in the hospital! …and still do 😊 I was very thankful I was able to bring my hubby back home safe and sound!
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I’m so happy to read your story ended well. Amen to both of you for your willingness to trust all will work out! 🙏🏻🤗
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Thank you, Shelley! We did trust the hospital folks, even if we did get a little anxious to leave. And the cafeteria food was good, so I had good snacks to keep me going! 😁
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You’re welcome. That’s wonderful news. 🤗
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I’m so happy everything turned out well for you. I do understand the worries.
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Thank you. I don’t think I am alone in this either. It did make me appreciate the few days we did have of “vacation”!
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Glad the issues were over. Travelling makes me anxious too, sometimes…
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Thank you, yes it was such a relief to get him out of the hospital!
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I always get stressed before a trip too, although unlike you I couldn’t name the things I’m stressing about – it’s more a general wariness. But this must have been truly scary at the time even though you found help and all ended well. At least you were travelling in your own country 😀 I would hate for something like that to happen to one of us in some of the places we visit, including where we are now, in a remote part of northern Madagascar!
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What scared me the most was driving on the freeway at night! It was a short trip to the hospital, but I got on the wrong ramp and ended up going the wrong way! But together we got turned around and to the hospital. The next morning I went to move to a different hotel, in the light, on a Sunday, it was super easy. 😊 And yes, out of the country would be freaky!
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I would have hated that drive, I really try to avoid driving at all at night!
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I am so glad to hear that God protected you through this ordeal. I always worry too! Especially if I have to get on a plane. I have dreaded flying since a bad experience in the 70’s. I hope your husband continues to heal
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Thank you, Nora. We’ve avoided flying for the most part the last couple of years. It’s such a hassle. And I’ve grown to love road trips. But I really was a bit stressed when this one started, I guess God was trying to show me he’ll take care of us 😊 My husband does see the doc tomorrow, so that makes me feel better. So far so good!
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So glad God watched over you both and guided you for your husband’s necessary medical emergency. The Lord works in mysterious, wonderful ways!
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Thank you, Donna! …and yes he does! We did a lot of praying and thanking God that week! (still doing it!)
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Nice post ✉️
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Thank you! 😊
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Thank goodness he was ok, and there was. good hospital nearby. I am like you. Not so much worry, but being prepared for the “what if moments. I imagine the nine days in the hospital was only the beginning of him getting his energy back. Tan goodness you could still move along. Stunning images, Lisa.
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Thank you, Donna! He’s almost back to normal now. I’m ready to go back on vacation!
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hahaha. funny how that works. My husband got food poisoning once while we were on the road. Horrible. Small town, but the blessing came with the ER doc on duty. He was gastrointestinal guy. We were in our 40′ RV so we were comfortable and felt a sense of home, but I didn’t drive it. We stayed there for almost a week. The other good part was there was a tiny zoo. By the time we left, the bison knew me. lol. Used wander over to me and I could update him on the progress. lol. We leave next week for a trip. I am ready too.
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Ah, what a story! Enjoy your next trip, Donna!!
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Nice 👌
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Thank you! 😊
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We give God praise for bringing you two safely home! And we’re glad you got to enjoy a bit of the plans you had made.
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I agree with you on both accounts! 😊
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Sorry your trip was interrupted, but I’m glad you were able to get him help quickly. Hope he recovered well.
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Hi did recover, he is doing just great now! Thank you 😊
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Aah Lisa, it was another kind of adventure. Without family and friends, there is some other kind brain cells, urgency, rather call unknown kind of bravery comes in. You did great and what a gift that you two still made it to your vacation place. lovely to know that he is well and safe, and planning for the adventure coming.
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Thank you for your kind words, Narayan! Yes I totally agree, we both found what we needed to get through the experience and now we have a story to tell! 😊
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Yes Lisa, 🙏🤍
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Travel can sometimes be a sweet dish or also a recipe for disaster. And then you add Heavenly Father’s guiding hand to the recipe and then the experience becomes oh so savory and rewarding. Thanks for sharing this amazing tale.
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Thank you Chuckster! I do agree with you on that! 😊
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“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
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Isn’t that the truth! …great quote!
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