Tenerife living with cancer doesn't deter Richard who is a foreigner.
Tenerife living was perfect for German born Richard while he was in good health. So, he always said. A year ago, the situation changed. Richard was diagnosed with a rare lymph cancer while on a family visit in Germany. Richard had never been ill. He never felt anything to warn him. He had some treatment in Germany.
Everybody told him that he should return to Germany to get surgery and more treatment, there. Richard loves his life in on the largest of all Canary Islands . He has a beautiful villa he once bought as holiday home in Tenerife. It has ocean view off La Orotava. The quiet suburb Las Cuevas can't compete with what he finds back in his home country. When he reached retirement age he moved to Tenerife for good where he now started renovation of his beloved new steady home. He did an excellent job. Richard had invested much loving care for his retirement in Tenerife. He, of course, didn't want to give up Tenerife living for cancer treatment in Germany. He had some, anyway, there. Then, he was itching to return to the island.
Back in La Orotava he wasn't happy about the way friends had cared for his beloved Tenerife garden. One friend even cleared all his kitchen cupboards to throw away all food tins. The friend decided that Richard should only eat fresh stuff from now on. Never again, would Richard return to Germany to leave his home in care of others. Tenerife living is always less stressful with professional help while not on the island, you know... Richard also didn't want to expose his shaky health to harsh Northern winters. He had hated them, before and, he even more despises them now. Richard, who doesn't know much Spanish managed to locate a good cancer surgeon (oncologist) for his case. Some stories about unsuccessful operations go around in foreign pensioner circles. Richard took what he thought might be a risk to have himself helped locally on the island. Tenerife living just meant too much for him. Once in a while I phone Richard. He is as happy as a 66 year old man can be who knows he has cancer. He called the operation by the Spanish surgeon Dr.Morales at University Hospital Santa Cruz to remove the malicious tumor a great success. He still does. But, now, he still must endure chemotherapy on the island Let's face it that such therapy is never easy. However, yesterday Peter told me why it's even less pleasant. However, he can't blame Tenerife living.
It was on his birthday which we celebrated in his large La Orotava villa where Richard loves to entertain occasionally, although, being a fan of the island's entertainment as well.He said that he had to wait several hours in a waiting room at the big Candelaria Hospital until he could, finally, have his 3 hour treatment. 12 chairs could not seat all the ill people who were with him in the waiting room. 'This would never be tolerated in Germany', he told me. Nevertheless, all Spanish patients were just standing and waiting, chatting and laughing as if having a good time. That's Tenerife... That's also Living in Tenerife... He added: ' Unfortunately, I didn't understand a word that was spoken. I so much wish I had learned the Spanish language.' Peter said that several Titsa bus lines stop right by hospital Candelaria which by the way is next to the other big Santa Cruz hospital close by the free way. Some people call it La Laguna hospital. Here, a map to see where hospital Candelaria is. Picture from the air showing the Hospital Universitaria de Candelaria ( main tel: + 34 922 602 000) by the Freeway just before reaching the capital Santa Cruz from direction Puerto de la Cruz. Find a public bus line or go as far as Santa Cruz or La Laguna and proceed from there. The Santa Cruz taxi driver Miguel Báez speaks English well. Tel: + 34 649 987 948. Miguel contributes to making Tenerife living better. Please, go from Tenerife living - Richard to Living in Tenerife with insider tips on Tenerife life and retirement. Besides health care experience by Elizabeth who had very successful leg 'op' by Dr.Cano and Berta's story who is now well cared for at a home for Alzheimer patients you will hear about Julia who has not fallen ill but, who also loves Tenerife. Caude's retirement advice with individual good tips to save money as well while living in Tenerife as a pensioner. Laura and her young family are doing fine as expats in Spain Tenerife except for father in law, who is getting better by the day, though. Then, there is Dr.M. Theis which is a good address to know.
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