After a wonderful winter in Mazatlan escaping the cold & snow; we’re back! To read about our escapes there visit my or Allan’s FaceBook page.
May 07th: A Tale of Troubleshooting and Triumph
Today’s the day we get Bailey ready for the road. The batteries have to get reinstalled so we are meeting Back Country’s mobile tech at storage. Batteries in Bailey starts the first shot! Way to go Bailey!!
Not so fast!! Bailey stalls! Allan restarts; stalls again. Allan gets the error code:
Meaning: “The Winnebago error code SPN 111 FMI 1 indicates a low coolant level or a problem with the coolant level sensor circuit. This can lead to the check engine light and stop engine light turning on, with potential power derating or engine shutdown if the engine protection feature is enabled” 
How does that happen? The coolant was fine when we parked, it looks like there is coolant in there so thinking this will not solve our issue. Off we go to Canadian Tire and buy some consentrated coolant, back at Bailey we’re surprised it takes the entire bottle. I get a chopstick, to use as a measure stick – the fluid barely covered the bottom. Off we go again, this time to fill our container with water. Back again and the stick is measuring. Let’s try to start Bailey again!! Not only does Bailey start, she keeps running!!
Bailey pulls out of the spot with no problem.
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Off to Back Country RV, finally! 
Back Country de-winterized Bailey, reinstalled the balance of the batteries, serviced the auqa hot, replaced 3 slide toppers, roof atenna, one of the bathroom faucets, sealed the roof.
May 09th: This done we head to Diesel Tech for the engine stuff.
As fun as RVing is, it’s 
and requires 
May 14th: Bailey’s innards are now all serviced; grease chassis, full service genset, engine, check air filter, air all tires, coolant level; they had to add more coolant.
Pick up complete! Bailey back in storage
We’re happy Bailey is all good to go but are we? This is a confusing “what are we going to do?” time in our lives.
About 1-1/2 years ago Allan’s right foot began to swell. This is the condensed version of what has transpired …
The podiatrist diagnosed it as gout; medication prescribed allopurinol & colchicine for when a flare up occurs (problem is Allan has peripheral neuropathy; no he isn’t a diabetic) so can’t feel a flare up.
The no feeling in his feet caused wounds to form. Allan has been attending a wound clinic for at least a year. They debride the wound frequently.
Thinking it must get better as now Allan has been prescribed antibiotics (October 2024) we booked our flight & AirBnb for 4 months in Mazatlán, MX
Another podiatrist visit more tests, no new prognosis, foot still as swollen maybe more. The podiatrist’s letter to our family doctor stated he had no clue what to do next. Really comforting.
Shoes fitting are an issue; Allan comes up with the idea to buy 2 pairs of Brooks, each a different width. That works!
A few weeks before leaving another wound clinic visit reveals the wounds are now extremely infected. The wound doctor loads Allan up with a multitude of antibiotics.
Now in Mazatlán the wound requires debriding. A friend who has spent many years here, recommends a doctor. A great doctor! We get the wound treated and a referral to a specialist. Trying to keep this short, I know right, 3 doctors later they ordered a culture test. Ended up have 4 over the next few month; they all come back the same Bacteriological culture: Pseudomona Aeruginosa; one of the most difficult bacteria to combat. 4 more different antibiotics, one as an IV, and still the foot is the same.
Back home we’ve seen an Infectious Disease Doctor, had another culture test (this one agrees with the Mexican ones) another 2 types of antibiotics taking for 42 days. He referred Allan to an orthopedist surgeon; this is an upcoming appointment. Surgery is almost all but guaranteed to either remove the infection or just reattach some bones that have become dislodged and straighten that has bent during the swelling. Recovery from surgery is going to be at least 8 weeks. As it is, Allan has grown out of the Brooks for his right foot and now wears a healing sandal. Driving with this sandal just adds to our concerns. 
SO… with all this we are in limbo. Multiply appointments, tests, etc. still to come our lives are in a “what are we going to do?” state of mind.
