@melinda7 I understand the frustrations of waiting. I would have done my spine surgery 2 years earlier, but the surgeons didn't understand the problem and wouldn't help, and that is why I came to Mayo. I did the waiting game over and over, and then waiting for imaging tests, and then nerve studies, and waiting for appointments again, and no one would help.

Does Amtrack run between Rochester and where you live? It is expensive, but you can get a sleeper car so you can lay down until you reach your destination. That should be less than 6 weeks of hotel bills. You would be home in about a day or so with all the stops for passengers. Do you have someone to travel with you?

I did just check Amtrack between Minona, MN and Atlanta, and it would be 2 days, and a room on the train is around $1000. It doesn't run direct, and does the trip in 2 legs. I don't know if that is better than flying. I have ridden Amtrak in coach with a reclining seat, but I wouldn't advise that after surgery because you wouldn't be comfortable and will have people right next to you, and probably wouldn't sleep.