Hooray! You are good to go! We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express 0.2 from the St Mary's entrance (breakfast and free parking, you can see the entrance to St Mary's from the parking lot). The shuttle stops there and will transport you to the Gonda and other buildings "downtown" which is about a mile away. Takes time, the shuttle stops at a zillion hotels as it makes its rounds. That location worked well for us even though the accommodations were nothing fancy. We walked everywhere - took the shuttle once as we played tourists upon arrival and spotted a yummy ice cream stand that we later drove to. Parking near the hospital buildings is an issue, my husband drove just 2 minutes to pick me up upon discharge. A couple of days after the surgery, have hubby bring the walker to your room. If you can, core and back muscle exercises are helpful, I was complimented that I was able to do OT and PT easily (at a much slower personal pace). I wore hospital gowns, when I went for my strolls, another was supplied to wear like a coat. I wore muumuu type dresses for our trip home, no bras needed, very comfortable. "I am trying not to freak out and panic." Believe me, all of us who have gone through this have been in that high anxious state! We understand perfectly! It would be abnormal to not be in that state of mind! Funny that we both had the same previous surgery, mine was in 1979, it was worse that a myectomy, gas is a problem with abdominal surgery. People are different: I had absolutely no pain during my stay at Mayo, many reported back and neck pains to various degrees. If you have a medical friend at home, have them show you how you should cough holding a pillow close to your chest. Let us know how you are coming along!