My wife and I moved in 2002 from Michigan to New Mexico into a one floor made-for-senior-living house. We loved the weather, people, church, and neighbors. However, in 2007 we had to come to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for her breast cancer and stayed 9 months. We traveled back frequently for her check ups. Excellent care in Rochester that was not available in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Then in 2021 we arrived again in Rochester planning to stay 2 weeks for a kidney procedure for my wife. They found lung cancer so we stayed for 16 months until she passed on - September 6, 2022. I planned to continue life back in New Mexico.

During my annual physical at Mayo, in Rochester, they diagnosed me with Parkinson's. Thankfully, I discovered 125 Live here and I can't find similar programs for Parkinson's in New Mexico. Thus, I am just about ready to move into the Charter House here at Mayo. My primary care physician summed it up in a few words: "IF your conditions worsens, your medical care can easily increase." I believe that if my Parkinson's does not make me need assistive care, I have a relatively active place to live in a very nice community even tough it has rough winters.

My friends and neighbors in New Mexico have asked some tough questions about giving up what I love very much there for a need that may never develop. I seem to lean towards having terrific medical care if needed.