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← Return to 100 day stay in Rochester, MN @ Mayo
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100 day stay in Rochester, MN @ Mayo
Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) & CAR-T Cell Therapy | Last Active: Dec 30, 2025 | Replies (9)Comment receiving replies
Hi @wifeatbedside. My husband and I went through this exact scenario with relocating to Rochester for my BMT for AML several years ago. Our insurance would have paid a portion if we’d stayed in our home state. But Mayo was the preferred option so we paid out of pocket while staying at the Marriott Residence Inn on Center Street, for the same reasons you are discussing. (Including the bazillion points you get for earning Ambassador status at Marriott. 6+ years later and we’re still reaping the rewards LOL).
When securing lodging, because it’s longterm over over 30 days, most places give you the option of leasing. That way you don’t have to pay the county room tax so it chips off some $$$. The lodging, because it’s for medical reasons is also deductible on your taxes.
The convenience! Short walk to the clinic via the subway inside! No trying to find parking!! You park the car most economically right across the street at the West parking ramp. It’s $12 max per day. At the time we were there we parked indoor at the Marriott. The two bedroom/two bath suite is ideal. Pricey yes, but having the two bathrooms, the full kitchen-full sized fridge, range, microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal was wonderful! There’s a laundry on-site 2nd floor, gym.
The first few weeks your husband may be too weak to walk that distance so there are wheel chairs available at Mayo! You can take one right back to the hotel with you! We kept one for quite a few weeks until I felt we didn’t need it anymore.
I’m the mentor for this Bone Marrow transplantation support group and here to help you, along with fellow members who have walked this walk. You’ll find our stories in the link below as well as numerous other discussions.
My Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT/SCT) story: Will you share yours?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-bone-marrow-transplant-bmt-story-will-you-share-yours/
I also have more information for you such as what to pack, timelines, etc., but don’t want to overload you right now. I know this can feel very daunting but it’s quite doable!
Has a donor been found for your husband?
Replies to "Hi @wifeatbedside. My husband and I went through this exact scenario with relocating to Rochester for..."
@loribmt I posted too soon! Hahaha Donor search just started after our Mayo visit on December 18-19, so no news yet. We are scheduled to return the last week of January for the pre-transplant testing and they were hopeful we’d have a match by that time. We will see! 1st consolidation starts on New Year’s Eve at our home hospital so a six day stint will be coming up shortly again.
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@loribmt thank you so much! I’ve been skimming these pages and there’s so much good info that I haven’t gotten to! I will look forward to some of your additional resources as we get closer to transplant time.
I’m glad to hear you felt the two bedrooms were worth it! Selfishly, as the caregiver, I’m hoping to choose something that keeps me comfortable and rested and on my game as well so that was a big factor in. I’d been in contact with Broadway Plaza but their two bedroom - while gorgeous - is too far out of my budget to make work. They’d told me about the 30 days so I’m already considering that in. Savings is savings! LOL
I’m planning on calling Residence Inn directly to just get all the current information and assume there’s a sales office or something who can help. That’s another skill I’ve gotten to increase while caregiving…asking for help up front to just save time and frustration.