Escapees November-December 2023

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RVing With Mental Illness You may wonder, “How can someone like me drive a big rig across the country every winter?” My mental disorders have actually helped me to survive and even thrive while RVing!

I rationalized that if I could work in the ICU, RVing would certainly be a breeze. I ignorantly believed that hauling a travel trailer through the Rockies in winter would not even challenge me. Of course, we experienced some disasters during every trip, but I learned I could beokay. My inability to focus (I prefer to call it multitasking) is an asset at times. For instance, when setting up at a campsite, I scan everything instantly and solve multiple issues before we even put the steps down. Driving is one of my favorite things because there is so much new information to process while traversing various terrains. It calms me down. Our 2023 Arizona trip was a crucible for me, and it proved that I could survive almost anything. While in Phoenix, my husband, Ed, suddenly developed a potentially fatal infection. This is one of my biggest anxiety-producing scenarios - going to a strange hospital and relying on staff with which I am unfamiliar. I changed gears and returned to my ICU nurse person ality. We drove into an inner-city hospital emergency room and had the fascinating experience of observing the clients. Perhaps I should have been frightened but I found it distracting from my morbid thoughts about Ed’s condition. We were treated by an exceptionally kind and

Before I considered becoming an RVer, I compared myself to the carefree campers in magazines and in television shows who were perpetually happy and never struggled with anything. RVing for them was one blissful experience after another. Daily life can be challenging enough for me because I have depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention de fi cit disorder (ADD). P reparing for any RV trip can cause anxiety for anyone. For me, the preparation phase can be overwhelming. Even after completing fi ve winter trips from Wisconsin to Arizona, I obsess about the next trip before we are home. Naturally, this exacerbates my anxiety. Add to this cocktail my inability to focus; you might think planning a trip with me is unpleasant. Yes, I drive my spouse crazy, but we always have our rest stops reserved; we are prepared for any emergency (several fi rst aid kits, my stethoscope, fl ares), and I have plans A, B, C, and D rehearsed.

When I was an intensive care nurse, it was essential to learn how to function with my mental disorders. I was skeptical about working in the extremely stressful ICU environment, but I realized I could use them for my bene fi t. For example, fi xating on minute details made me a better nurse. Obsessively strategizing meant that I already had several solutions when something catastrophic happened.

“After recounting the catastrophes of our road trip to friends and relatives, some suggested quitting the RV life.”

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ESCAPEES Magazine November/December 2023