First Time and Terrified

Leah, first don't be scared... the unknown is more scary than the known. The Mayo Clinic Motto is "The needs of the patient above all other things." This isn't just a plaque, or a weather worn poster.... it is a living, breathing way of life at Mayo. Just remember one thing, health care is a two way street. You will get what you give.... the Drs. RNs PAs and techs need your assistance to give you the best possible care.... and they need your input to correct any problems along the way. From what I have read, you seem to understand that. There are volunteers all over, info desks, and help in all forms... use them that is why they are there. I made the decision to go to Mayo in Rochester and am so glad I did. My urology surgeon, Dr Husmann and his associate Dr. Joseph were wonderful through my surgery and recovery. I also have COPD and talked with a pulmonologist, Dr Patel, for a relatively short 10 min consult, the next day I noticed him and said hi. He stopped asked how I was feeling and wanted to know how my visit with Dr Husmann went the day before. I was blown away. All I know is I have been treated with respect and professionalism at Mayo, I know Charlie and William Mayo would be pleased. If you don't get the same results, ask, ask, ask, and work with them.....THEY CARE.

@leahknit, Hi and welcome to Mayo Connect. I have my own miracle story to share.
I was flown out of ICU to Mayo Rochester (760 miles from home) With acute kidney failure along with liver complications, I no longer qualified for a transplant at home. Hospice Care was being discussed by the ICU team, but my transplant team arranged for my to be flown to Mayo. When I arrived, they took complete control of my situation. They work as a team. They treat everyone as a unique individual with unique needs. They care about their patients. They took care of my complications, and I qualified to be listed for a transplant, They carefully monitored me during my waiting time.
I did get my liver and kidney there 8 years ago, They gave me my life back. Hope is alive at Mayo.
Rosemary

Hi Leah- I hope you are feeling more calm and confident after reading the replies from other Mayo patients. I do have a miracle story for you. Let me give you a little background first: I live in Alabama, a 17 hour drive from Rochester, Minnesota (but it has most certainly worth the multiple trips)!! I was born with a very rare bone disease. I had several surgeries as a child to correct some things. But as an adult I did not have a doctor to monitor or treat my condition because no one in my area knew anything about the disease. So fast forward to 5 years ago. I was in tremendous pain in my joints but especially my R ankle. I had seen the "best doctors" in Alabama and Georgia and my best option according to all of them was amputation. A relative of mine was familiar with Mayo and suggested it to me. What a blessing! I have since had complete ankle reconstruction that is nothing short of a miracle. I will not tell you that it has been easy traveling to and from, or that it was an easy, pain free surgery but I will tell you that I have so much confidence in and respect for the doctors and staff at Mayo. I have also had surgery on my left leg, undergone some cutting-edge technology to lengthen a bone in my right leg, received great care from cardiology, gastroenterology and podiatry. I will be making the trip again next month to see a neurologist because my evidence of my disease has now shown up in my skull. But I go with full expectation that Mayo will once again know the answers. Leah, I wish you the best and pray that your journey to wellness will be as successful as mine.

@leahknit, I see that you will be a first time visitor to Mayo. Do you have any questions about navigating the Mayo Campus that we can help you with?
Rosemary

Hi
and thank you so much for your words of advice, all of you. I printed out pictures of my kids and my doggies to show the dr's and staff who I am fighting for and who need me so they can see the faces that matter to me the most. And I will remember its a two way street and I need to give info in order to receive it. And I promise I will ask ask ask ask and my husband will do the same. Its been a very hard painful confusing 1/2 year and I am just hoping not to be disappointed. Thank you for your time so very much!
Leah

You are so very brave.
Mine seams so silly in comparison. I am just a person that deals in black and white and so far my year has been so very grey. I know I need to be optimistic because to be honest thats how I would treat any friend of mine in this situation. I am just so afraid they won't fix me..... and well I'm doomed to a life of undiagnosed pain. I need to be positive and you all with your amazing stories will get me there... Thank you!

yes I am trying its hard. you al have such amazing stories! seriously! I know I can do this I am strong and I am hopeful and faithful

One of the really unique and interesting things about the downtown campus is the "subway" under the streets. If it is 30 below zero, or over 100 you can move around to different buildings, shops, and even hotels you can be comfortable walking, or being pushed. The Clinic is 18 stories and cover most of a city block. For the size of the city.... 114,000 Mayo employs about 33,000..... they do almost 1300 blood draws a day.

Did you find that you had one Dr or was there a team of Dr's that worked on your case? I know I will see an internist and a neurologist after that it depends...

They utilize health "teams" at Mayo. When I had my surgery I had a head Dr. and an associate Dr. with others..... LPN's RN's PA's Tech's. The other thing they left nothing to chance.... I was looked over, tested, and evaluated... even to the point of allergies.... I was years ago told, while in the Navy, I was allergic to Penicillin... Mayo tested me and told me that no longer exists. My team leader when in consult would explain something to me then ask "Did you understand that?". My sister is recovering from Ovarian cancer surgery she had in Rochester. I sure hope your trip, care, and overall experience is of very high quality and very successful.