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Seeking Support: First Mayo Appointment for Husband's Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: 6 hours ago | Replies (15)Comment receiving replies
I was in your husband's shoes in the fall of 2023. My first appt was the team you describe. They are the best! Each one spent plenty of time with me explaining in detail and offering comfort. You'll wanna take notes and write down their names and specialty. If he doesn't have a Mayo Patient Portal account yet he'll wanna get one. I had questions about timeline, pain, and a few on outcomes. They explained everything. I felt comforted that even though this was my overwhelming diagnosis these folks do this every day and do it well. I was not only in good hands but in the company of greatness. They have a special way of being confident, without arrogance, that I found very comforting. When I left there I said to my husband and son, " I got terrible news today but, I'm okay with it and I'm not afraid." I still go back every three months for CT scan, blood work, and to see the surgeon. My recovery has been smooth and the care I've received has been consistently top notch. I read all the info they gave me. I did not search the internet. I stuck with just the Mayo info. My brain was full! I'll keep you both in my prayers. Relax and fell confident that you are doing the best you can do for your husband and yourself.
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Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's incredibly reassuring to hear such a positive story, especially from someone who's been through something similar. Your description of the team and their approach is exactly what we were hoping for. We've already created a Mayo patient portal, so we're ready on that front. We will definitely make sure to take notes during the appointment, thank you!
It's also helpful to know that they took the time to answer all your questions. We have a list of our own, especially regarding the timeline, pain management, and potential outcomes. Your comment about feeling comforted and not afraid, despite the difficult news, is truly inspiring. That's exactly the kind of confidence we're hoping to gain from this appointment.
While I appreciate the advice about sticking to Mayo's information, I'll admit I've already done quite a bit of internet searching. It's been incredibly hard not to. I'm curious, what was your specific timeline like from the time your treatment options were presented to when you actually started treatment? I'm trying to get a sense of how long we should plan to be in Rochester. Should I be looking at hotel combinations for more than just the one day of the consult, or is that typically enough time to get the initial plan in place?
Thank you for your kind words and prayers. It means the world to us. Knowing that you've had a smooth recovery and continue to receive excellent care gives us so much hope. Thank you again for sharing your story and for the encouragement.