[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Suzi

Our local area in Florida may be different. The local physicians/surgeons who have received their medical training elsewhere outside this country may have different ways of practicing medicine. So far, my limited exposure to these MD's has NOT been positive. Without getting into a whole NEW discussion, I suggest that each person get a second opinion and possibly a third. They should also have an "advocate". By that I mean a person who can help them sift through the medical jargon and facts of the problem and the choices that needs to be made. Sometimes this can be a family member or friend and sometimes it needs to be someone who has a medical/nursing background. The point is: often when ill people (and their loved ones) are faced with tough decisions, they are very "stressed" and can sometimes make unwise decisions. A person outside can sometimes "see" things better than someone "in-the-thick-of-it".

I'm sorry you have not had a good experience with our local medical community. In my experience if you take the time to research physicians, and ask others for their opinion, you can find very good physicians. Now we don't have every specialty and subspecialty, but you can go to Orlando, Gainesville, and Tampa to find just about anything you need.