1. < Mental Health
Moderator

[New] Member spotlights: Meet fellow members

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Mar 16, 2018

Hi everyone,
We recently launched a new feature on Connect called Member Spotlights (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/connect-member-spotlights-shining-a-light-on-community-members/).

Our first 2 spotlights of members many you have CONNECTed with.
– Easing the Burdens of Caregivers: Meet @IndianaScott https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/easing-the-burdens-of-caregivers-meet-indianascott/
– Meet @hopeful33250: Striving so No One Feels Alone with Personal Health Challenges https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/meet-hopeful33250-striving-so-no-one-ever-feels-alone-in-their-personal-health-challenges/

Follow the About Connect: Who, What & Why page (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/) to get notifications for news and members spotlights as they're published.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Mental Health Support Group.

Lorraine | @desirea | Mar 16, 2018

What a great idea!!! Thank You for thinking of it @colleenyoung, @hopeful33250 and @IndianaScott 🙂 I feel alone a lot now that I am getting older and no one to talk to about my health issues.

REPLY
2 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 16, 2018
In reply to @desirea "What a great idea!!! Thank You for thinking of it @colleenyoung, @hopeful33250 and @IndianaScott :) I..." + (show)
@desirea

What a great idea!!! Thank You for thinking of it @colleenyoung, @hopeful33250 and @IndianaScott 🙂 I feel alone a lot now that I am getting older and no one to talk to about my health issues.

Jump to this post

I'm glad you're here with us, Lorraine!

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 17, 2018
In reply to @desirea "What a great idea!!! Thank You for thinking of it @colleenyoung, @hopeful33250 and @IndianaScott :) I..." + (show)
@desirea

What a great idea!!! Thank You for thinking of it @colleenyoung, @hopeful33250 and @IndianaScott 🙂 I feel alone a lot now that I am getting older and no one to talk to about my health issues.

Jump to this post

@desirea

Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings any time! We are here to listen and encourage.

Teresa

REPLY
gaylejean | @gaylejean | Mar 26, 2018

I have been going to the Mayo Clinic since 2002 when I was diagnosed with NETs - every 3-4-6 months for followup. I got a message that I was due for a visit in April so called to make an appointment. They could not get me in in April without scheduling tests for the end of one week and see the doctor on Monday. That would mean staying in a hotel for 4 days or more - expensive - OR traveling 4 hours one way to go home and return. I could not get an appointment in May because that calendar was not open yet and I was to call back at a later date. When I did call back, I was informed that the whole month of May was filled with ONLY chemotherapy patients and unless I wanted to wait until June, I would have to take the split appointments in April that I was first offered. I know how important followup is and I have been having a few issues with my condition so took the April appointments. What is going on there? I am not feeling the care/concern that may patients brag about.

REPLY
3 replies
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 26, 2018

I had an issue at my hospital- I travel to Boston for treatments and follow-ups. But I don't want to have a separate visit for something that can either over the phone or email. Our train fare jumped up by half with no senior discounts any more. The one doctor that was a hold out agreed to follow- up emails or calls. Since there have been so many cut back by the Trump administration, hospitals and doctors have to realize this and change or adapt. Galyle- Perhaps you need to speak with your physician about this. Good luck.

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 26, 2018
In reply to @gaylejean "I have been going to the Mayo Clinic since 2002 when I was diagnosed with NETs..." + (show)
@gaylejean

I have been going to the Mayo Clinic since 2002 when I was diagnosed with NETs - every 3-4-6 months for followup. I got a message that I was due for a visit in April so called to make an appointment. They could not get me in in April without scheduling tests for the end of one week and see the doctor on Monday. That would mean staying in a hotel for 4 days or more - expensive - OR traveling 4 hours one way to go home and return. I could not get an appointment in May because that calendar was not open yet and I was to call back at a later date. When I did call back, I was informed that the whole month of May was filled with ONLY chemotherapy patients and unless I wanted to wait until June, I would have to take the split appointments in April that I was first offered. I know how important followup is and I have been having a few issues with my condition so took the April appointments. What is going on there? I am not feeling the care/concern that may patients brag about.

Jump to this post

Hi Gaylejean.
I’m sorry to hear that you are not getting the schedule service that you had hoped for. Scheduling appointments is a complicated process. But I understand how the scheduling over the weekend poses a serious inconvenience and expense on your part. I’d sincerely encourage you to call the Office of Patient Experience, and speak to someone about your concerns:

Office of Patient Experience
Mayo Building, lobby level
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday–Friday
507-284-4988

Staff are available to discuss comments or concerns you may have regarding your medical care. Your experience certainly sounds like something Mayo Clinic would want to act upon. Let me know if I can help.

REPLY
Charlie | @ca426 | Mar 26, 2018
In reply to @gaylejean "I have been going to the Mayo Clinic since 2002 when I was diagnosed with NETs..." + (show)
@gaylejean

I have been going to the Mayo Clinic since 2002 when I was diagnosed with NETs - every 3-4-6 months for followup. I got a message that I was due for a visit in April so called to make an appointment. They could not get me in in April without scheduling tests for the end of one week and see the doctor on Monday. That would mean staying in a hotel for 4 days or more - expensive - OR traveling 4 hours one way to go home and return. I could not get an appointment in May because that calendar was not open yet and I was to call back at a later date. When I did call back, I was informed that the whole month of May was filled with ONLY chemotherapy patients and unless I wanted to wait until June, I would have to take the split appointments in April that I was first offered. I know how important followup is and I have been having a few issues with my condition so took the April appointments. What is going on there? I am not feeling the care/concern that may patients brag about.

Jump to this post

Mayo, like any other major medical centers are very busy, it has noting to do with you personally, and you should treat it as such and plan ahead, I've had four kidney transplants and I know how the scheduling goes, they should be able to give you an app. a month in advance and then you just have to go when they set it up ......4hrs. is not that bad, it could be worse and gas is cheaper than a hotel.

REPLY
shoregal45 | @shoregal45 | Mar 26, 2018
In reply to @gaylejean "I have been going to the Mayo Clinic since 2002 when I was diagnosed with NETs..." + (show)
@gaylejean

I have been going to the Mayo Clinic since 2002 when I was diagnosed with NETs - every 3-4-6 months for followup. I got a message that I was due for a visit in April so called to make an appointment. They could not get me in in April without scheduling tests for the end of one week and see the doctor on Monday. That would mean staying in a hotel for 4 days or more - expensive - OR traveling 4 hours one way to go home and return. I could not get an appointment in May because that calendar was not open yet and I was to call back at a later date. When I did call back, I was informed that the whole month of May was filled with ONLY chemotherapy patients and unless I wanted to wait until June, I would have to take the split appointments in April that I was first offered. I know how important followup is and I have been having a few issues with my condition so took the April appointments. What is going on there? I am not feeling the care/concern that may patients brag about.

Jump to this post

Charlie, rather a curt response to a woman who is distraught with pain and lack of medical support. Scheduling should treat EVERY patient as if they're the only one! Extreme lack of professionalism. Sorry for being so blunt but I'm not having such a good day myself.

REPLY
shoregal45 | @shoregal45 | Mar 26, 2018
In reply to @merpreb "I had an issue at my hospital- I travel to Boston for treatments and follow-ups. But..." + (show)
@merpreb

I had an issue at my hospital- I travel to Boston for treatments and follow-ups. But I don't want to have a separate visit for something that can either over the phone or email. Our train fare jumped up by half with no senior discounts any more. The one doctor that was a hold out agreed to follow- up emails or calls. Since there have been so many cut back by the Trump administration, hospitals and doctors have to realize this and change or adapt. Galyle- Perhaps you need to speak with your physician about this. Good luck.

Jump to this post

I agree with your thoughts with so many cutbacks. How is a person to heal properly when their pain and anxiety levels are sky rising? I also suggested to Gayle that she report this and hope she goes as high as she can. I know I would also report this to the Administrator of the Hospital. This is terrible PR for MAYO!

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.