Moving to TV and Health Issues

[ajdeck]

Question is it wise to move to TV if you already have health issues? Just asking those who are in this sisuation what they think of the move they did at that time.

I have cancer which just returned. Kinda concerned about the 'how long' issue of life. Love TV and was all set to move but now wondering if all of it is worth it at this point.

Just asking opions of those who have been thru this.

Thanks (again)!

aj

[JohnN]

Hi. I've had cancer, 2007, still not quite out of the woods.
My thoughts and prayers with you on your health issues.

We bought here in 2008. I always wanted to live in Florida, and thought, to hell with it, I'm going and they can bury me here if that's what it takes.

Anyway, we are still part-timers (trying to get here fulltime, maybe soon), and I use my doctors at the "other house". I've not seriously looked hard in TV for medical care but I have visited an Urgent Clinic and an Endicrinologist.

I'd rate both as "fair to good". I think the docs here I've met are well qualified and do the right clinical thing. I don't get the feeling there is a lot of compassion, is what I'll call it. A genuine personal interest. Does that make sense?

The forum here has a lot of info on docs. If you move here, use that plus use your neighbors and references too.

I think the health care is adequate here. Like all the infrastructure around, I believe TV is growing faster than the services, so it's a bit hectic, but just plan and work it and it's ok.

In summary. I'd suggest you do what's best for you, but I wouldn't delay a move here due to health facilities. They're probably about the same here as everywhere when it all comes down. You have to research and find the right docs for you. Best wishes...

[Freeda]

The year-round good sunlight and great climate plus active lifestyle, relatively low stress, and peaceful atmosphere here in my opinion promote good health and are some of the biggest reasons we moved here. If I had cancer I think I would move to TV ASAP. There are lots of health support groups here too. The availability of so many activities will keep you focused on the positive and creating your future.

[swrinfla]

aj:

My thoughts are with you during these trying times!

Medical care in The Villages is what I call a "Hot Topic!"

I know many folks who came from New York City and environs who seem to believe "You cannot possibly get good medical care anywhere except in New York!"

I also know many who came from other major metropolitan regions, especially those with major University-based teaching hospitals. Many of these guys seem to feel similarly, "You cannot possibly get the same kind of medical care anywhere else in the whole U.S.!"

While acknowledging that my personal experience is, thankfully, limited, I must tell you that I am increasingly impressed with the dedication, bed-side manner and over-all skill of all medical persons in The Villages!

Yes, one must acknowledge that many doctors here are not Harvard or Yale medical school graduates! Indeed, many have some difficulty with the English language. But, I have found that the doctors who take care of me are as skilled as any I've ever been involved with!

I would call your attention to the fact that

1] The Villages Health System has partnered with one of the most, if not the most respected, cancer treatment organizations - the Moffitt Cancer Center.

2] The recently established cooperative program with the acknowledgly outstanding staff at University of South Florida. This program really excites me!

For background, you should know that I am challenged with emphysema and obstructive sleep apnea. Both are, potentially life-threatening, although not as much as a cancer might be! The situation(s) I may find myself in down the road don't frankly scare me as they once did, as my doctors and support groups have worked to dispel those fears!

I hope very much that you will NOT discard The Villages as a place in which to enjoy your final years simply because you have concerns about the quality of medical care!

Come see us, frequently and often!

SWR
:beer3:

[momesu]

Question is it wise to move to TV if you already have health issues? Just asking those who are in this sisuation what they think of the move they did at that time.

I have cancer which just returned. Kinda concerned about the 'how long' issue of life. Love TV and was all set to move but now wondering if all of it is worth it at this point.

Just asking opions of those who have been thru this.

Thanks (again)!

aj

I haven't been through cancer nor do I yet live in TV so I probably am not the person you want an opinion from but.....I think a lot of it would depend on your family and friend support where you have now and how important that is to you.
I hope to be moving to TV this fall. My health issue, rheumatoid arthritis, is much less serious than yours. I have determined that while I have the ability to live a decent life, though not a pain free one, I want to do it in a sunny location that has lots to offer for fun. I don't have a loving husband to consider and though my children are loving they all have their own lives as it should be. So I have made the choice to uproot myself as soon as I can and I hope that the medical care I need will be available when I need it. I prefer to live out my life in the best way I can and not put things off for a future that is not guaranteed to any of us.
I am sorry that your life is not as smooth as you might hope, but I do hope and pray that is will be as happy as it can be. Good luck with your decision. I know it can't be an easy one.
Suzanne

[ilovetv]

Two things....

1. Regarding the Big Name university hospitals.......Big Name does not always equate with attentive patient care. Given a physician whose primary focus is "research"....on a particular treatment or drug that may or may not work out positively........or given a medical oncologist in his/her own private practice and doing his own patient care directly, I'd prefer the private practitioner. Your survival, not a study/experiment, should be first priority, and any board certified specialist can refer you to the big name places if all standard protocol therapies have failed. Big does not always mean better care.

2. one of the biggest reasons TV is a good place to be in your situation is that neighbors and acquaintances have TIME....time to spend encouraging you and buoying you up when you're down.......time to go with you if you need a friend to take you to appointments and go out for coffee or any little activity to take your mind off that awful topic.....time to just be a friend or set of listening ears. "Back home" where most people are still working and raising kids in a rough economy, people seem to busy with their own lives. And there are LOTS of survivors here who understand what you are going thru.

Come on Down!!!!

[springfield]

I am a cancer survivor and was concerned about leaving my wonderful circle of docs. We came with the knowledge that we have cancer centers here and hospice care. I am so active here and can' help but have a positive outlook on life because of the way it is here. There is research to support the efficacy of a positive attitude in dealing with cancer. Long cold winters in IL were anything but uplifting. If you do decide to take the plunge and come, please know that you will have a loving network of new friends and neighbors who will be there.

If you feel a warm touch on your shoulder, it's because I'm sending you a long distance hug.

[JenAjd]

I'm from the midwest from a mid-sized city with a teaching hospital. I have heard reports from friend's who've had family members who were treated at this establishment and they were less than impressed with the care there. I agree with the poster on this thread who say "LARGE" etc. does not equate with the best care.

We moved here from a small town (close to this town) who also had a small hospital and we always had GREAT care at this hospital. We've also had experiences with health-care in The Villages AND I would say we've been well-cared for. The Villages Hospital is new and the care we got there was very good (in our opinion). I think it's all a manner of perspective...MHO!!!!

[graciegirl]

I have a dear friend here whose cancer has returned. She is receiving treatment orders from her oncologist in a large mid western city. The chemo is administered by the oncologist here in TV when she is here in TV. She had some breathing problems end of April and when she returned to her Northern home her doctor changed her chemo and she is once again in TV for a month feeling much better..

The new chemo was made available to the Northern oncologist but not to the one in TV. Her Northern doctor can have it sent here. It is an experimental chemo.

In many cases we now view cancer as an ongoing chronic condition. I know you mentioned a stem cell transplant which can perform wonders. I hope there are other options too that can allow you to come here and spend as much time as you like.

I am sending yet another hug and many prayers from both Helene and I who survived cancer.

We also send love and understanding.

[Uptown Girl]

Question is it wise to move to TV if you already have health issues? Just asking those who are in this sisuation what they think of the move they did at that time.

I have cancer which just returned. Kinda concerned about the 'how long' issue of life. Love TV and was all set to move but now wondering if all of it is worth it at this point.

Just asking opions of those who have been thru this.

Thanks (again)!

aj

Hi ajdeck,
Setting everything else aside, what do you WANT to do?
Way down deep, where do YOU most desire to be?
Can you make a move with the intent to reserve your personal energy while you do... and not push your immune system to it's limit?

Looking forward with joy, consciously deciding to hold that joyous thought and practicing it throughout may help you in making your choice.
We, the Villagers, will hold good thoughts for you in whatever you decide.
You have good wishes and friends in spirit no matter what. :thumbup:

[marybb]

Sending you prayers and every good wish. Hope you come on down soon.

[ajdeck]

Hi. I've had cancer, 2007, still not quite out of the woods.
My thoughts and prayers with you on your health issues.

We bought here in 2008. I always wanted to live in Florida, and thought, to hell with it, I'm going and they can bury me here if that's what it takes.

Anyway, we are still part-timers (trying to get here fulltime, maybe soon), and I use my doctors at the "other house". I've not seriously looked hard in TV for medical care but I have visited an Urgent Clinic and an Endicrinologist.

I'd rate both as "fair to good". I think the docs here I've met are well qualified and do the right clinical thing. I don't get the feeling there is a lot of compassion, is what I'll call it. A genuine personal interest. Does that make sense?

The forum here has a lot of info on docs. If you move here, use that plus use your neighbors and references too.

I think the health care is adequate here. Like all the infrastructure around, I believe TV is growing faster than the services, so it's a bit hectic, but just plan and work it and it's ok.

In summary. I'd suggest you do what's best for you, but I wouldn't delay a move here due to health facilities. They're probably about the same here as everywhere when it all comes down. You have to research and find the right docs for you. Best wishes...



Thanks John, your info is a great help.
aj

[ajdeck]

Thanks so much for all your input. All of you have give me some spirt for my treatment today and being hospitalized for next few.

God be with all of you and sure hope he keeps any cancer from each and everyone of you.

Thanks so much.

aj

[Freeda]

AJ, I'm sending prayers for your strength and healing as you go through your treatment. And hugs, too.

[cldodge]

I'm not impressed with doctors here in TV - I prefer going to Ocala, if possible. I actually had a doctor here who suggested that one of the reasons I 'could not get better' is because I could not understand his accent.

[Avista]

I am a cancer survivor. Was treated @ Moffitt Cancer Center Tampa 2004. Still am checked out there annually. Moffitt is part of the University of South Flordia and on their campus. Not a bad ride--about an hour from The Villages on the N side of Tampa.

Visit the Moffitt site and see what you think. Check with the docs at your current Cancer center and see what their opinion is of Moffitt. Each patient has an interdisciplinary team. I think they are wonderful.

[rjm1cc]

Question is it wise to move to TV if you already have health issues? Just asking those who are in this sisuation what they think of the move they did at that time.

I have cancer which just returned. Kinda concerned about the 'how long' issue of life. Love TV and was all set to move but now wondering if all of it is worth it at this point.

Just asking opions of those who have been thru this.

Thanks (again)!

aj
I would move. Time is short so enjoy yourself now.

[spk7951]

Question is it wise to move to TV if you already have health issues? Just asking those who are in this sisuation what they think of the move they did at that time.

I have cancer which just returned. Kinda concerned about the 'how long' issue of life. Love TV and was all set to move but now wondering if all of it is worth it at this point.

Just asking opions of those who have been thru this.

Thanks (again)!

aj

To start with that is a tough question to answer because each of us are so different. But let me share with you our experience.
In 2005 my wife was diagnosed with cancer and the long term prognosis was not good. After the initial shock of the news wore off one of the first things we talked of was our retirement plans. We quickly agreed to do what we could to retire as soon as we could. She retired in 2006 due to her health but I had to wait until 2008 when we then moved to TV full time. Best decision we have ever made. She has now gone over 5yrs cancer free and still needs to have blood work every three months. We have no issues with the doctors we have met here and use for our care. She still keeps her primary doctor in CT who did her extensive treatment in 2005 and sees him once a year. We know that her cancer will return at some point but she has gone longer than expected being "clean" and the doctors now have better views of her future. I firmly believe that her success in this fight is the result of four things: her great attitude, the wonderful medical care she has received both in TV and CT, the wonderful lifestyle that we now enjoy and certainly not to be forgotten the many truly great friends that we now have in our lives.

Good luck with your decision and best wishes.