@jcblubaugh

I am a heart transplant recipient and live two hours from Mayo-Phoenix. I returned home after the first 90 days near Mayo and I found myself back at Mayo at least once a month for various follow-ups for the first year. A two-hour drive is not a bad deal. Given you are six hours away that creates a different proposition. I am guessing that Mayo will want you to have strong local support with whom they can coordinate. After six years of being the most boring heart transplant patient per Mayo (I prefer the word stable), I only go back for my annual exam.

Have you identified a local blood test company where you can perform your monthly tests. Do you have a local cardiologist? Is there a trusted hospital system if you need emergency service?

I know of several people on our weekly patient-run heart transplant support group (rebels that we are) who live in places like Dallas, Anchorage, and Denver who coordinate Mayo care with local resources. Still each one returns Mayo each year for their "annual". We even have one person whose insurance is not accepted by Mayo who coordinates care with Mayo and other physicians. It can be done.

So please raise these issues with your Jacksonville team. I am sure they have done this with others before.
Best always,
s!
Scott Jensen