I'm at Mayo (Rochester) now

Posted by raphaela2025 @raphaela2025, Jun 29 6:34pm

Hi. I've been here at Mayo for two weeks. Last week was my first week of radiation. I am only starting chemo after radiation, but I do not remember if they told me why. Maybe it's my particular molecular profile.

Anyone else here?

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Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Jun 30 6:27am

@raphaela2025
Welcome to Mayo. What Mayo location are you at?
Any advice to others at Mayo for extended time?

raphaela2025 | @raphaela2025 | Jun 30 4:57pm

Hi Laurie,

I'm at the Rochester location--Methodist Campus.

I'm on the beginning of my second week. My primary advice is to stay near or stay where there is a reliable shuttle to go to appts as you may want to go lie down afterward.

cscmaryann | @cscmaryann | 4 days ago

I was at Mayo in Rochester for 5 weeks for proton therapy radiation treatments. An incredible experience. Very positive. There are various shuttles that drop you at almost every hotel in the area. Any volunteer at Mayo will direct you. The workers at the shuttle stops have the times and directions for all shuttles. Walk whenever you can. The campus is beautiful - plants, flowers, sculptures, art, history everywhere. Just seeing the artwork throughout the Mayo campus can fill a day or two and is so uplifting. Incredible original works by incredibly famous artists (Miro, Calder, Warhol, to name a few). If you are being treated for cancer, the cancer center offers craft sessions which are very nice. You could also apply to stay at the cancer patient facility.
Because proton therapy radiation had absolutely no side affects in my case, I had time to explore the area. The libraries at Mayo are great, full of information on any condition you can imagine.
The Rochester Library and Art Center are great resources. I simply encourage you to keep a positive mindset, get outside and walk as much as possible and ask questions of the many very helpful and friendly Mayo volunteers and employees. You are fortunate to be there.

raphaela2025 | @raphaela2025 | 4 days ago

In reply to @roch "@raphaela2025 Welcome to Mayo. What Mayo location are you at? Any advice to others at Mayo..." + (show)

I'm on the Methodist campus (Rochester). I'm starting my 2nd round of radiation next week. So, I haven't been here that long. I will let you know when I know. I'm not looking forward to being "in the woods" with radiotherapy. And I don't know why I'm not doing the chemo here, but it would be really expensive. There are places that are either free or low cost that have shuttles like the Hope Lodge, but you can only have one caretaker stay there, and you have to have a caretaker to stay there. They also want caretakers to be here during radiation.