Initial Visit to Mayo Clinic - How Long Should I Expect to be There?

Momma FINALLY got accepted into Mayo Neurological Department after over 2 long years of getting denied! Looking for any and all info, what to expect, will she get admitted or does she need to stay at a hotel? Those of you that have gone to Mayo, I'd love to hear your experience, length of stay...and what went on!! Thank you! 🙂

Hello, I have just returned from Mayo in MN. I stayed in a hotel and had an appointment with a Neuro-Oncologist on 3/11 and Neuro-Surgeon on 3/13. I have to say everyone is extremely nice and want to make the most of the time that you are in town. I did not get admitted as I have a decision to make. They did tell me to give them a couple of weeks notice prior to deciding that I want to go ahead with surgery. They said the more notice the better.

If you are going to MN, my best suggestion is to make sure you are at a hotel connected to the pedestrian subway tunnel. You never have to go outside this way and it’s a 5-10 minute walk to all the Mayo buildings. I know the Mayo in MN has a concierge service that can guide and help you with any questions that you have. 507-538-8438. They also have a Facebook page and tons of videos on YouTube that I watched prior to going that were very helpful.

Good luck with your trip and appointment!

My experience is that I had a full 4 days of tests of all kinds initially. I stayed in a hotel. I recommend the old hotel across from Gonda. The Grand Kahler, but only if your room is $100 a night. The walking across the street, subway, makes it worthwhile
Book it once you have your patient guide. Rates go up as the dates approach.

I go back annually now, for just a day, 1 or 2 appointment s.

My initial visit to mayo in Rochester was 4 days. A lot depends on what tests they’ll accept from your previous facility. It was my experience that they wanted results from their own testing. Another factor is the logistics of having that many appointments and scheduling them without any overlap. I worked with scheduling and my pre-coordinator and they were very helpful. It might be a little overwhelming at first but if you get comfortable with your schedule and get to know the footprint of the campus you will be okay. I had a liver transplant because of cancer and just celebrated my third anniversary on 4/10.

Thank you for your input, and i’m so happy you’re doing well now!

@des46893 you had a liver transplant because of cancer? I had no idea they did transplants for that. When I had cirrhosis I did have a couple of malignant lesions and if there had been more, or if they were larger than a certain size, I would not be able to be a candidate for transplant. I have wondered why they can’t do transplants for pancreatic cancer, but I guess if it has progressed there is concern that it could have metastasized. I am under watch for that now, I had an MRI on Monday and will see my oncologist on Friday.
JK

I just returned from Mayo Rochester. I was there 5 business days and it still wasn’t long enough. If you have a complicated case, I would suggest 7 business days (maybe drive home for the weekend?). A word of warning: some offices will not allow a follow-up until *all* of the tests and labs are done. They weren’t able to get my last test scheduled while I was there and the Neurology office absolutely refused to allow me to see the doctor to discuss the 5 test and 30 or so labs I was able to get done, before I flew home. So I have to fly back to Rochester for the test and follow-up appointment. You may want to check with the office you’re seeing and find out how they handle follow-ups. And as a previous poster said: they want their own results. I had labs, tests and scans repeated that I had done at home within the last 3-4 months, but they wanted their own. A very expensive and time consuming “preference” for the patient to deal with, especially for things that don’t change over time (I.e. negative labs for infectious disease and heavy metals). I hope your trip goes well and they are able to help you.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Hope you’re feeling better! I only live 2.5 hours away, so I guess it won’t be too bad

I underwent a procedure called chemoembolization where they treat the tumor and then seal off all blood supply to that area. I returned to mayo every 3 months for pictures to track the the effectiveness of the treatment. And like you Nash was a complicating factor in the diseased liver

Hi, @katieknight. I have not met you before, and so I want to say welcome to Connect. My experience with Mayo is that they are very thorough in their approach. And if one test is enough, that they do not order others. Sometime outside results and images are accepted, and other times Mayo will need a more accurate or even updated result. It is a team approach and every patient is treated as a unique individual.

Once I was scheduled to fly from Kentucky to Rochester for one test at the request of my home transplant department. My appointment schedule noted only 1 appointment, and my husband and I wondered how long to stay, so we planned on several extra days. (Due to severe health complications, I never made it to this appointment, however I did get my transplant at Mayo Rochester). Looking back, we realize that for the original appointment, I could very well have been finished with test, had the doctor visit, and diagnosis all completed in a matter of hours. -so it is possible in some situations.

I hope your visit goes well for you. May you have a safe trip.
I look forward to hearing an update after your appointment.
Have you thought about calling the hematology/oncology department where you are scheduled to see if they can answer your length of stay question?