Tips: Traveling to Mayo to get medical care safely during COVID-19

Last Monday was the first day I could schedule my August appointment. Understanding was expressed when I stated my hesitation to make the 1,100 mile 3 day trip from south central PA to Mayo in Rochester. The appointment was scheduled as Zoom meeting first week of August. All lab requirements will be collected here at my local Cancer Treatment Center then mailed to the Clinic with materials provided with the requests. We are grateful not to be planning an extended trip with a week of overnights amid all the unknowns. I have had a local phone appointment this spring. Has anyone had recent video appointment at any of the Clinics? Nancy

Appreciate all the helpful hints we received from this thread. This coming Thursday we leave for Rochester driving the 2200 miles one way. Coming in from the southern Oregon coast. Will be there for a scoping of the esophagus (Barrett's) and a MRI assisted prostate biopsy. Not looking forward to the drive but we are leery of flying currently. Thanks again! Be safe all.

Good idea -For some reason I like the bags instead of gloves. With gloves it feels like your hands and you may touch your face. You’re more aware with the bags.

When I go shopping for groceries I always start at the produce department. I tear off 2 of those plastic baggies you put fruit in and put them over my hands. Mainly for touching door handles on dairy products but for anything you touch. At checkout just roll them inside out and put in the cart until you fund a trash can.

I haven't driven since 3/13th but have been concerned about gas pumps. Really like your idea of the plastic bags and although I have gloves, think I'll use your idea when I make my first gas refill because it will be an added awareness. Thank you.

We just made a 1500 mile 3 day trip between our winter and summer homes. To say I was anxious beforehand would be an understatement!
Here are some things we did:
- Called and asked about precautions being taken before reserving our hotel rooms.
- Stocked up on masks (reuseable ones), sanitizing wipes (including several in baggies for our pockets-see below) and pet waste bags (for touching gas pumps.)
- Planned our route to allow stops at rest areas (less people than truck stops) when possible.
- Carried all our own food and beverages & disposable tableware for the 3 day trip, including evening meals to warm up in the hotel. Sanitized refrig and microwave before using. We elected not to try takeout because we had no idea what restaurants would be available.
- Used sanitizer wipes thoroughly in all restrooms and hotel rooms and on surfaces we touch in the car after each stop.
- Wore masks in all rest/truck stops, hotels common areas and elevators.
- Showered and washed our hair before going to bed, and changed all outer clothes each day. Washed and dried all masks each evening.
- Used our own pillows and blankets.

Here are some things we observed:
- Most people were not wearing masks, but many tried to maintain distance, especially retail workers and truck drivers, who seemed aware that the extra exposure to people put them at risk.
- Self-serve areas were mainly closed in truck stops and hotels, a single employee poured coffee, bottled drinks were sold, hotel employees gave out brown bag breakfasts of packaged items in lieu of a buffet.
- Hotels had shields at their desk, or set out paperwork a safe distance from the employee, they were busy sanitizing surfaces between customers.
- Less traffic, except trucks.

So, travel is possible, just not very much fun right now. 7 days later, we survived the trip nicely, and are in day 7 of our self-quarantine, feeling just fine, thank you.

Next week, we will both be heading (locally) to rescheduled lab and medical appointments. I am anxiously hoping thumb repair surgery is in my near future, so I'll be waiting to hear about anyone else's experience in clinic/same day surgery.
Sue

@fiesty76, When you do begin to drive again, please be extra careful. After a 5 week break from driving, I had to have labs drawn. I was excited to see the world again, and I caught myself being easily distracted and had to force myself to focus on the road! Since that time, I am driving to pick up grocery order which is placed in my trunk for me. So the driving is getting more narural.

@roch, Thank you for the update on Rochester's reopening plan. My husband was looking for information about restaurants and wondering if they would be serving . I surprised him by telling him what you shared! I told him that I have access to insider information. .

@dandl48, I hope that you will have nice weather and be able to enjoy some scenery along the way to Rochester. How long will you be in Rochester? Do you and your wife share the driving? I will be in Rochester in 3 weeks for a two day appointment schedule that was postponed from April. We will be driving from Kentucky, and following our usual pattern of an overnight and sharing the driving. I would bet that Rochester will be different 3 weeks later for me, than it is going to be for you.

@1nan, That is wonderful that you can have your tests done at home and have a virtual meeting with your doctor. I know that it will be much more relaxing!

Thank you to everyone for sharing your tips.

@bernese53 Try Chili & homemade soup (can be frozen), meatloaf & veggies - I pack just enough for a meal. Also no reheat options - tuna macaroni salad, chicken wild rice salad, cottage cheese & fruit cups. Other foods that travel well - carrot sticks or other raw veggies, grapes, tangerines, apples, cheese (we like string cheese, curds, or little 1oz portions like Baby Bel), beef jerky, cashews or your favorite nuts, bread or pretzels or crackers with peanut butter or hummus, low sodium V-8 juice, liquid meal replacement drinks or nutrition bars (choose some you like) - many of these are also handy to throw in the bag for waiting at the clinic.

Don't forget a little chocolate, if that's what you like, or a bit of wine or other adult beverage of your choice. Don't forget a paring knife, throw away or reuseable dishes and cutlery, a bit of dish soap and a roll of paper towels.

What do you usually eat when on the road?
sue