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Traveling Alone to Jacksonville

Posted by rcole90 @rcole90, 1 day ago

I will be going to Jacksonville next week for my first initial appointments. Unfortunately, I will be alone.

Any recommendations on ways to connect with people that will be there too?

Advice- If my appointment time is 230pm- would you fly in early that morning, or come in the night before?

Thanks!

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Lee | @marco88 | 11 hours ago

Arrive the night before. There’s a fairly new Hilton on Transformation Way, which is near or actually on campus. Call Hilton, ask if the Mayo shuttle picks up there. Call Mayo and get the shuttle telephone number. If you have a rental car, you can drive to the Davis Building, Mayo Hospital Building, or Cannady Building parking lot. Also the newer Mangurian Building for cancer patients is just past the Davis building, if you’re driving.

Parking lots fill up early; you’ll have quite a walk unless you arrive around 6:30 a.m. - but you can call the shuttle & find out where the pickup spot is for the parking lot you’re in. The Cannady Building is surrounded by handicap-only parking. Each building, Davis & Mayo Hospital & Cannady all have valet parking, about $8.00. There’s a parking garage at the Davis building and at the Emergency center. You can walk all the way from the Emergency building through the Mayo building, the edge of the Cannady building, on to the Davis building on inside corridors. Mangurian is not attached.

Go to the information desk at the building where you enter. They are informative volunteers. Most likely, for your first appointment, you’ll be at the Davis building where many doctors are located. The Davis and Mangurian buildings - both have labs on the first floor, convenient for then going to the doctor’s office in that same building.

If coming for cancer treatment, hematology and other cancer doctors are located in the Mangurian building just a few blocks past the Davis building. Parking there is much easier than at other buildings.

You will likely be presented with an ABN to sign, agreeing to pay everything that’s not covered by insurance. Read it before you sign…Advance Beneficiary Notice, which actually is a binding contract to pay out of pocket.

Be sure to print your Itinerary or have a screen shot on your phone. Remember your Patient Portal username and password. Very soon after your labs, you can go to the portal and see your labs reports, so you know them before you see the doctor.

Good luck, and do ask more questions here.

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1 reply
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rcole90 | @rcole90 | 11 hours ago
In reply to @jlharsh "@rcole90 I relate to what you are going through (I promise!). I am so glad you..." + (show)
Profile picture for Janell, Volunteer Mentor @jlharsh

@rcole90
I relate to what you are going through (I promise!). I am so glad you are making this trip to have an integrated look. This is exactly what Mayo Clinic does well!

You don’t want to hear about me, though. Thank you for sharing where you are at. I have been able to pronounce my “ologists” thus far…..except the ENT. I am thankful it is common to call them “ENT”. 🙂

I want to understand more about what you are dealing with when you say you are getting worse. Are you able to function day-to-day? What does your schedule for your upcoming Mayo visit look like? Is there information that will be helpful for you (no one wants to overload you)?

Jump to this post

@jlharsh
Thus far all I have is one appt with General Internal Medicine- Juan Cardenas (hope I got that right). Other than that there is nothing on my schedule.

I’ve been on short term disability for about 6 weeks now. Barely functioning - taking a shower feels like a marathon.

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rcole90 | @rcole90 | 11 hours ago
In reply to @marco88 "Arrive the night before. There’s a fairly new Hilton on Transformation Way, which is near or..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lee @marco88

Arrive the night before. There’s a fairly new Hilton on Transformation Way, which is near or actually on campus. Call Hilton, ask if the Mayo shuttle picks up there. Call Mayo and get the shuttle telephone number. If you have a rental car, you can drive to the Davis Building, Mayo Hospital Building, or Cannady Building parking lot. Also the newer Mangurian Building for cancer patients is just past the Davis building, if you’re driving.

Parking lots fill up early; you’ll have quite a walk unless you arrive around 6:30 a.m. - but you can call the shuttle & find out where the pickup spot is for the parking lot you’re in. The Cannady Building is surrounded by handicap-only parking. Each building, Davis & Mayo Hospital & Cannady all have valet parking, about $8.00. There’s a parking garage at the Davis building and at the Emergency center. You can walk all the way from the Emergency building through the Mayo building, the edge of the Cannady building, on to the Davis building on inside corridors. Mangurian is not attached.

Go to the information desk at the building where you enter. They are informative volunteers. Most likely, for your first appointment, you’ll be at the Davis building where many doctors are located. The Davis and Mangurian buildings - both have labs on the first floor, convenient for then going to the doctor’s office in that same building.

If coming for cancer treatment, hematology and other cancer doctors are located in the Mangurian building just a few blocks past the Davis building. Parking there is much easier than at other buildings.

You will likely be presented with an ABN to sign, agreeing to pay everything that’s not covered by insurance. Read it before you sign…Advance Beneficiary Notice, which actually is a binding contract to pay out of pocket.

Be sure to print your Itinerary or have a screen shot on your phone. Remember your Patient Portal username and password. Very soon after your labs, you can go to the portal and see your labs reports, so you know them before you see the doctor.

Good luck, and do ask more questions here.

Jump to this post

@marco88
Thank you!

I’m excited but also very anxious.

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1 reply
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Lee | @marco88 | 11 hours ago
In reply to @rcole90 "They hotels are definitely up there haha. I guess you’re getting convenience to the max! I..." + (show)
Profile picture for rcole90 @rcole90

They hotels are definitely up there haha. I guess you’re getting convenience to the max!
I actually found someone to come with and we’ll have a car- so I’m thinking not having to be super close would be ok?
I’m trying to make decisions tonight!

Jump to this post

@rcole90 Many hotels are within 15 minutes of the Mayo Campus. The Hilton on Transformation way has a Mayo Rate of around $220.00 we used last week. Usually we stay at the TownPlace or Hampton on Beach Blvd, less costly, but the Hilton feels better. Just read a reply that Mayo does have a shuttle to that Hilton.

Be assured that the information desk people do all they can to help. All providers’ check in people are super helpful - no question is too insignificant to ask, don’t worry about getting information. These are some of the best trained medical staff we’ve ever known.

You are in the right place! My husband has blood cancer, no kidneys, cognition and memory issues. Last week he went from an outpatient procedure to inpatient seamlessly. They did every test imaginable to find out why he deteriorated so rapidly. I trust Mayo Jax - they will investigate your issues until the answer is learned!

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Lee | @marco88 | 11 hours ago
In reply to @rcole90 "@marco88 Thank you! I’m excited but also very anxious." + (show)
Profile picture for rcole90 @rcole90

@marco88
Thank you!

I’m excited but also very anxious.

Jump to this post

@rcole90 Once you settle on your travel & your plan for a hotel and knowing how you’ll reach the right building that day on time…. relax. They will take care of you!

We have seen doctors in Hematology, Urology, Cardiology, Pain Management, Nephrology, Neurology, Orthopedic, and maybe some others over the years. Every doctor and every NP, PA, RN, and support staff has been knowledgeable, kind, patient, and always helpful. Do get familiar with that Patient Portal for “Clinical Reports” and labs; so helpful to read what providers write after the visit. I hope you find solutions - best regards to you from what Mayo calls “frequent flyers” here.

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rcole90 | @rcole90 | 10 hours ago

Thank you kindly everyone (-:

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Mentor
Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | 10 hours ago
In reply to @rcole90 "Thank you kindly everyone (-:" + (show)
Profile picture for rcole90 @rcole90

Thank you kindly everyone (-:

Jump to this post

@rcole90 You mention being excited and anxious. This is totally understandable.

One thing that helps me prepare is to research the provider I will see so I know as much as I can before meeting them. There is something about feeling like I know a bit about who I will meet with, even if it’s only a photo or where they are from that is calming.

I found information about your doctor if you haven’t seen it and would like to review more about him:
- Dr. Cardenas, Mayo Clinic Biography
https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/cardenas-rosales-juan-c-m-d/bio-20526630
I am interested to follow how you are doing. Will you come back and let me know how your appointment goes?

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