@lisagraber @radiocity @cindajune
Hello to everyone - this group is in a lot of pain and confusion about Mayo. I am new to this Connect but I want to let you know about MAYO.
It is a good hospital with good doctors-they are not the only doctors in the USA who are amazing. I have lived in Los Angeles, Ft Lauderdale, Albuquerque, Central California, Nebraska all in the past 10 years. I had some of the best doctors. Please everyone take a breath about MAYO. I cry for your pain, but I also cry because you have all your hopes pinned on a place-not even a person or doctor. That is quite a lot to put on one hospital out of hundreds.
I do realize you have different or non-solvable issues. Here's the best way to go forward but you have to do it-not just say you'll do it.
1. Calm your entire mind and body and relax every single day for as long as possible. I'm not saying meditate, I'm saying, going over and over about your pain is making it worse. Look outside, put calming music on tv and just hang loose.
2. Mayo will take anyone. They see millions of people each year. Some doctors are experts in the area, others are younger. They learn from each other just like all doctors in the USA. The best way to be seen in MAYO is to ask for a new Primary doctor/team. You won't see a doctor, you will see a NP. But I will tell you that the NP is very well trained. More so than any you are accustomed to. Please don't discount an appointment with someone bc you think you will waste your time.
3. Write down concisely exactly what your health issues are. From the most important to the least. Be concise! Example is: Pain (8) in left foot for 6 mths. 3 orthos can't tell me what the pain is.
4. If you do get an appointment, don't tell them you can't make it. Be there.
5. If anyone lives in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin - Mayo Clinic has many hospitals in those areas. They have bought many recently and Mayo trained doctors are there. Remember, Mayo is a TEAM network. If they can't fix it, they will refer you to someone who can. That means, if you are in Iowa, they may refer you to Rochester MN. Maybe in Scottsdale as well. I don't know if they have every specialty there. Do not be surprised if you are referred to a place out of town. That is the Mayo Clinic system. You go to the doctor, they don't come to you.
6. I know you think I'm not being comforting, but going to hospitals must be taken seriously. Going to ER is outrageous to consider and don't do it unless you are in need of it then and there.
7. If for some reason you decide that maybe Mayo isn't for you, look into Cedars-Sinai in LA and around S CA. Cleveland Clinic and any University hospital near you. Someone with excellent experience is training those medical students and seeing patients.
8. I say all of this because Mayo is not God, not perfect, and with 330 million in the USA and many from other countries, they are very busy. Going to Mayo is not going to be any more special than anywhere else that there is an excellent doctor. I am not putting it down, I'm going there for my oncology follow up, the back of my eyes are bleeding-ophthalmologist next week and other ills. BUT - I LIVE 30 MINUTES AWAY from one of the smaller hospitals and 1hr 20 from Rochester. We just moved here. IF I lived far away, I would not put my hopes on getting into any place. If I needed a doctor, I would be on the website of my insurance company looking for the best doctor in the network NEARBY.
9. Don't give up. Just bc 3 doctors say you are crazy-or they can't figure it out, there will be a 3rd. Maybe you could approach the situation differently. Are you describing everything? Do you keep a log next to your bed?
10. Here's what works: If you are so down and must cry - then do so. Tell whomever is around the house at the time -- I'm going to cry. I'm not sure why, but I'm letting you know. I feel it coming on, I'm just going to cry and then it will be over. It will get to the point where people can smile and even laugh a bit and that will help you through.
11. Don't think for a second that you are alone. You now know 4 others who are going through immense pain and frustration. You can only do you best every day. Try to open your mind to other possibilities. Ask yourself, are you truly eating exactly what you should be eating? The amount of preservatives in our food is enough to bring on several chronic diseases and pain. Clean up your health in every way you have control over. Veggies & Fruits Fish Chicken. Keep it simple, so when you do see a doctor you won't know in the back of your mind that you are causing your own demise. Take responsibility-it can actually be fun and very liberating. No sugar.
I hope I have given a few ideas that will help you cope. Our lives are getting more stressful daily-we don't know what will occur next - turn off the news unless you are a politician, you can't control it. Concern yourself with you!
All my blessing to you all. I don't have the answers, I struggle every single day, but I look at each problem determined to find a solution. I do not wallow in the mess of my health and you shouldn't either.