@toddgalbrecht Hello Todd. I understand your frustration. No one should be treated like that by medical professionals. I came to Mayo as a patient after several doctors would not help me, and it was a 5-hour drive for us, but well worth the effort. I had never experienced the quality of care and compassion before that I found at Mayo, and it changed my life.

Would an hour and a half drive be acceptable? I've driven to Mayo many times for spine surgery, ankle fracture surgery and follow ups. I drive through Lacrosse, and from there it is an hour to Rochester. One patient I was helping saw a spine specialist in Mankato, MN and there are some B & B's there that at that time had some reasonable rates. For testing such as neurology, the patient would be referred to the main Rochester campus which was within an hour or 45 min drive. Perhaps the Mayo Health System in Lacrosse may also refer to specialists in Rochester if that was needed. Do you have someone to come with you in case you don't feel well enough for the drive each day?

There may be some lower cost accommodations in Rochester run by organizations. The Concierge Service at Mayo can help find those. Not all patients qualify, and it may be based on the type of treatment you need at Mayo and the length of stay. They provide information about travel, lodging, Mayo Clinic and community resources to plan your visit. And it’s free. Perhaps this information could help with your decision.

Five Ways to Contact Mayo Concierge Services

Phone: 507-538-8438
Live Chat: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide
Email: concierge@mayo.edu
Web form: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/becoming-a-patient/concierge-travel-services
In-person in Rochester MN: Lobby hours are 8:00-5:00 Monday through Friday. Offices are located in the International Center in the Mayo Mathew’s Lobby, Executive Lounge on Mayo 5, Radiation Oncology Lobby – Desk R

Regarding pain management, the Connect mentor, Rachel, that John told you about has really improved her life through the Mayo pain management training she attended. She is joyful and able to help others understand pain and lessen the level of pain she feels.

I had to overcome the fear of pain myself, and I learned that being afraid of pain and being upset actually increased the amount of pain I felt by a lot. There really is value in learning to cope with it, and you can gain some control by the way you think about it, and by unraveling the long history of pain in your life. I was driving my blood pressure up with my fear, and that was magnified because my dad was a heart patient and I didn't want that disease, yet in what I was doing to myself with stress, it could very easily put myself on that path. I didn't want to have spine surgery either, but I had the choice to either fix my spinal cord compression or become disabled, and thus began my journey to figure out why my fear of pain had such a grip on me.

Are you able to share what type of testing you need and what specialties in providers that you are looking for?

This sounds like you're expounding or you have embellished the things that were said, also comments of desperation. I can't believe anyone would ever say to you, "you don't deserve a quality of life" At least in the medical field. Complicated? I do believe that seeing someone about how you feel may help. Pain is telling you something is wrong, not that you're goin to die. Find the right doctor for what you need, that is important advice, and not someone giving up on you. Look at the positive things as hard as it may be. Be grateful for any help you can get. All the best to you!