when I was told I had to wait 3 wk I called the patient advocate in the hospital and was in in a wk. Insist politely. Good luck!

Dear Brown,

It has been five hours since your post, and you have received the best advise I have ever seen in such a short time. I hope we are not overwhelming you!
It has been five years since my surgery for mouth cancer; but I still remember when I was diagnosed as it had been a week ago. And I will give you my spill about organizing, because you have already gotten very good advise about looking for doctors and about Mayo Clinic. The only contact I have had to Mayo, is my sister's cancer and this blog. I have spent lots of time at Mayo Scottsdale, where my sister had her treatments, and it has been first class in every way.
Well, right after I had my diagnose, I had a pep talk with God. He gave me fortitude. My second stop was at Staples, where I got a binder, dividers and paper. I called it "my life project". First divider was for doctors. I got some recommendations and researched them on line. Printed the pages with their resumes and pictures and placed them in the binder. Second binder for several copies of my diagnose. Third for several copies of my medical history. Fourth for medications. Five for questions and paper for answers, and so on and so forth. Very important, a divider for cards. You will collect cards from the different doctors that will be involved in your treatment. Organizing yourself will take the time you have to wait for your appointment, and have you focused in a positive way.
Please have someone come with you to your appointments and take notes and remind you of your questions.
Hope this advise will help. And I wish you success!