Living in a home with stairs

[Susan Thomson]

My husband has intermediate MDS and we live in a 105-year old two story home with both bathrooms on our second floor. He gets very winded going up and down the stairs and we just got an estimate for an electric chair that can take him up and down. We have a bend in our stairs and the estimate for the chair is around $15,000. I am wondering if anyone can shed some light on whether they moved to a one-story, got an electric chair or just kept using the stairs. In one way this is exercise for him. But on the other hand we could get to a point where we have to move quickly. Any thoughts or experience would be greatly appreciated.

[Mar]

Bravo that your husband can still climb stairs. Those electric chairs move slowly. Not knowing your house design except 2 story, have you considered an elevator?

[bexar2120]

Ourselves, we downsized from 2 story to newly built one story. My disease was Plasma Cell Myeloma – Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) — Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
We decided to downsize; various reasons were my disease, not using second story, adult child moving to her own home.
The comment about “having to move quickly” should be key in your decision making process. DO you travel “a distance” for treatment?
We live in a city with Center Of Excellence for my disease; Local Dr said you have progressed to AML, so go to Houston Medical Center for treatment options. Now, would we consider selling current home and moving near Houston? Very unlikely, I have TP53 variant – testing for a second clinical trial at this moment.
ANyway, do not hesitate if selling and relocating is in your best interest. Disease treatment requires lots of time at the facility. I spent 2 months in patient with wife in lodging.

[Susan Thomson]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my post on 2 story living. We do live close to my husband’s treatment so that is one of the considerations. But you all have given me some things to consider and I appreciate the help. Best wishes to you!

[Kathleen Lopez]

In order to help evaluate if moving to a one story would be beneficial, maybe you could move into an Air B-N for 30 days, or some other form of one month rental and see if he feels better or about the same. You could also check with family and friends that live near by if you could stay with them for just a month because you need help making this very important decision. Just a thought! Good luck!

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