Traveling to NJH

Posted by busybeans @busybeans, Oct 27, 2022

I've just read that Omicron subvariants are resistant to key antibody treatments for those of us who are immunocompromised. Thinking that I'd had every booster known to man and that I was relatively safe, I made travel arrangements to fly to Denver to see my doctor at NJH instead of renting an RV as I have every six months since the pandemic began. Is anyone else traveling by air right now, or have I completely lost my mind? Your thoughts? I can always cancel...I have two weeks.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

I have flown multiple times this year. Wear your mask, wash your hands, and go to njh.

Signed,

Your mom

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@miloandlisa

I have flown multiple times this year. Wear your mask, wash your hands, and go to njh.

Signed,

Your mom

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"Mom" you made me laugh out loud. Thanks! I'm still on the fence considering that I've had some really horrific, life-threatening episodes of hemoptysis and thought the monoclonal antibody treatment would be my ace in the hole if I got sick. I do appreciate your response though. It helps to know that others are going on about their lives.

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I did travel, last May I was at NJH visiting my Dr. Just wear mask all the time, wash your hands very often and try not to touch your nose and mouth. Try to stay away from so many people in the airport.
Be safe and the good Lord will keep you safe. Cila

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I am going by plane on vacation in a week and will take all needed precautions. I also have every vaccination available and will be masked, etc…throughout the traveling experience-regardless of what others in the airports or airplanes choose to do. I hope all will go well and I hope all will go go well for you too!

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Hello!
I would like to know thoughts of NJH. I am coming up on month 6 of treatment with bronchoscopy scheduled for end of month to see if any clearance of the MAC. ( I don’t produce sputum). My understanding is that if you don’t clear by this milestone- your chances are significantly reduced. I want to make sure I am making the right, informed decisions. Evidently, NJH is the “expert”; although I have read some harsh reviews as well.
Any thoughts or shared experience would be greatly appreciated!

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I have been to National two times and received excellent care from them.

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@nana43

Hello!
I would like to know thoughts of NJH. I am coming up on month 6 of treatment with bronchoscopy scheduled for end of month to see if any clearance of the MAC. ( I don’t produce sputum). My understanding is that if you don’t clear by this milestone- your chances are significantly reduced. I want to make sure I am making the right, informed decisions. Evidently, NJH is the “expert”; although I have read some harsh reviews as well.
Any thoughts or shared experience would be greatly appreciated!

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I've been going to NJH since 2011. I originally spent two weeks in the adult daycare unit (8-5) while testing was done. I've returned every six months since then. The care I've received at NJH has been exemplary. I've never met anyone on staff that wasn't pleasant and eager to help. Having all of the testing done in one facility and then seeing the doctor afterward to discuss the results has been an exceptional experience.
I have remained off all drugs, not without some consequences, but I failed the drug regimen twice. While my doctor would rather I were on the drugs, he has worked with me in spite of my inability to tolerate then.
Having said this though, I recommended NJH to an acquaintance in my hometown. Her experience was vastly different and she was very displeased with the care she received. I've never known the specifics so I can't say what went wrong for her. I felt bad that I had encouraged her to go. Hopefully other folks will chime in with their experiences so you will have a well-rounded picture.
My best to you!

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@busybeans

I've been going to NJH since 2011. I originally spent two weeks in the adult daycare unit (8-5) while testing was done. I've returned every six months since then. The care I've received at NJH has been exemplary. I've never met anyone on staff that wasn't pleasant and eager to help. Having all of the testing done in one facility and then seeing the doctor afterward to discuss the results has been an exceptional experience.
I have remained off all drugs, not without some consequences, but I failed the drug regimen twice. While my doctor would rather I were on the drugs, he has worked with me in spite of my inability to tolerate then.
Having said this though, I recommended NJH to an acquaintance in my hometown. Her experience was vastly different and she was very displeased with the care she received. I've never known the specifics so I can't say what went wrong for her. I felt bad that I had encouraged her to go. Hopefully other folks will chime in with their experiences so you will have a well-rounded picture.
My best to you!

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I found NJH when I was frustrated by the doctors here in Tucson and knew that my Bronchiectasis with Pseudomonas was getting worse. I went for 5 days saw Dr. Balkissoon and Dr. Griffith and had an array of tests. Went back 4 months later because they found a nodule that was suspicious for cancer. Dr. Balkissoon
set up my surgery with in a few days and I am now cancer free according to the tests and the surgent. This was last June and I am doing fine. Dr. Balkissoon saved my life! I have a terrible fear of flying and with Covid it was and has been a fear to the utmost. But....I felt I had to get there and get there fast. I will be flying there in March and as was written by others taking every precaution to stay safe.

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I haven't been on very much lately. I love this group but my computer has quit telling me when there are new notices so I have to remember to check! I finally have an appointment in April at National Jewish in Denver. Mayo doesn't except my insurance. My doctor will be Dr. Griffith. I will be there 7 days because I said I don't mind back to back tests. I live in Illinois but have family in Golden. Any insight on what to expect and any insight on Dr. Griffith? Thanks in advance.

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@tinaesims

I haven't been on very much lately. I love this group but my computer has quit telling me when there are new notices so I have to remember to check! I finally have an appointment in April at National Jewish in Denver. Mayo doesn't except my insurance. My doctor will be Dr. Griffith. I will be there 7 days because I said I don't mind back to back tests. I live in Illinois but have family in Golden. Any insight on what to expect and any insight on Dr. Griffith? Thanks in advance.

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Hi Tina, welcome back.
First some housekeeping 🙂 Thanks for mentioning that you are not getting email notifications any more. For some reason, your email service caused Connect-related emails to bounce. In other words, signalled to us that the email was no longer valid. This can happen for a variety of reasons. I'm glad that you reported it and that you'd like to continue getting emails from Connect.

To help prevent it from happening again, please add "noreply@nX.hubapplication.com" to your email address book or safe sender list. Here is more information how.
- How to add Connect to your Safe Senders List https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/what-to-do-if-you-arent-getting-connect-email-notifications-anymore/

Now to get you connected with members who go to NJH, I moved your message to this existing discussion that @busybeans started:
- Traveling to NJH https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/traveling-to-njh-in-november/

You might also be interested in this related discussion:
- Coordinating between NJH and your regular pulmonologist and ID doctor https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/coordinating-between-njh-and-your-regular-pulmonologist-and-id-doctor/

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