Hi, I wanted to share an update in hopes that it might help someone else navigating this same difficult path. My husband starts his cancer treatments this upcoming week—chemotherapy and 35 proton radiation sessions. It’s been a whirlwind preparing for everything, but we’re feeling as ready as we can be.

For our first visit, we ended up staying three nights, and as many of you said, the hotels were incredibly accommodating! We stayed at the Hyatt House, which was so close we even walked back a few times, though they also offer a free Mayo Clinic shuttle that runs about every hour (check the posted schedule if you stay there!).

The days leading up to the appointment were tough—the waiting was excruciating. The morning of, the anxiety was intense—nightmares of us missing the appointment. We couldn’t wait to get out of the house and start our drive!

Because we arrived a little too early, we found a charming little Dutch restaurant to ease some nerves and enjoyed brunch before heading to the hotel. The Hyatt House also let us check in early so we could park our car in the hotel’s parking garage and leave our luggage in our room (definitely worth calling ahead to ask if you need it). From there, we took the hotel’s shuttle to the Gonda Building.

Walking into Mayo was an experience in itself—it felt more like a high-end hotel than a clinic. My husband even commented on how impressive the space was. But despite the beautiful surroundings, the anxiety in the waiting room was overwhelming. We weren’t able to check in online for some reason, but thankfully, the kiosk process was easy.

I was so nervous I felt physically sick. But the moment the care team started talking, I felt a huge sense of relief. They naturally answered almost all of my questions without me even having to ask. It was clear they had everything mapped out for us.

Before we even left that day, we had all of my husband’s appointments for the week scheduled and a solid idea of what the next several days -to weeks would look like. Every staff member we encountered was incredibly kind and helpful, guiding us through each step and ensuring we never felt lost.

While this journey is daunting, we’re feeling more confident and comforted by the experience so far. Mayo truly is a special place, and we’re so grateful for the care we’re receiving.

I’ll continue to share updates in case it helps anyone else on this road. Sending strength to everyone going through this—you are not alone!