Thank you for including me in this discussion, Colleen.

Hi @elainerb. It is nice to meet you. I am a Mayo MN patient, have seen neurology a few times and they are wonderful. They absolutely understand the stress you are feeling. By the way, my daughter has lived in St. Peter’s, MO for several years, not very far from you.

My cousin brought her husband to Mayo Clinic when local doctors told him there was nothing they could do to for a rare condition requiring neurosurgery. I cannot possibly describe how wonderful they were with him. He had an initial consult and his doctor ordered an emergency MRI, and that happened right away. She also referred him to a surgeon and said she hoped it was ok, but his case was dinner conversation the night before. He had a consult with this doctor’s husband/surgeon that afternoon. He got super claustrophobic and stressed getting his MRI. Again, they were wonderful with him. It took a super long time and some sedation, but they all hung in there and got the test done. In his case they determined it would be safe, and best for him to go home for a week. This way they were able to act quickly, but gave him a bit of time to prepare some at home.

Your surgery date will depend on when they think you should the surgery, but also working through details like getting your insurance approval, etc. Elaine, if I were you I would absolutely call Mayo and ask them all of your questions that are concerning right now. I never get off the phone with someone at Mayo that doesn’t ask if I have all my concerns addressed. They really do want to help you.

When is your appointment?