mosaic (@mosaic)

Most universities offer health insurance for international students. You need to get a copy of the policy and read its limits, including the amount of deductibles, copays, and what is covered and not covered, including pre existing conditions. Please do not rely on what a college admissions officer says. The insurance policy is a contract and will control what is covered. Each policy is different. Welcome to the US, where health insurance and care is a nightmare!!

and I wish you well. Choosing Mayo is an excellent choice as long as you are aware that things can go wrong, I am glad you have an effective advocate on your side! I recovered!

I had a mixed experience having my septal myectomy at Mayo.

The surgeon Schaff did the job and it went well, or so I was told upon discharge, Neither my husband nor I ever saw him after the surgery. I asked and was told I wasn't sick enough to see him. No one ever told me how it went until the morning of discharge. So it took an entire week to know whether it was successful.
The cardiologist who did the pretest clearance was good and very nice. She told me she would come by post surgery. She never did.
The nursing care was 90% kind and excellent. You get a private room.
I was supposed to get a defibrillator afterwards and when that didn't happen, asked to speak with an electrophysiologist. No one showed up and I left without one. Had to have it placed elsewhere.
I left with a raging fungal infection over 1/3 of my body and a tiny tube of cream. This was discovered the morning of my discharge.
I told them I needed anticoagulation post discharge because of a previous blood clot. The non doctor who saw me was rude and told me he knew best and refused to prescribe.

I developed a pulmonary embolism after I got home.

Mayo is a wonderful facility, the best in the country. I don't write this to slam them. Every hospital has issues. None of us is perfect. But you are weak, in pain, and sick after surgery. You need a family member who will advocate for you in a firm but polite way, otherwise you may not get the best of care. My husband was too passive thinking they knew best.

Totally understand, I had to convince a couple of cardiologists that I saw Dr Barry Maron at Tufts and not his son, Dr Marty Maron, who heads up the HCM clinic at Tufts. They kept insisting he was in MN! I finally told them I wasn't crazy and that I actually met both father and son!!

I felt like fainting before my myectomy. The best way I handled it was to walk slowly and always try and be near someone or something so I could hang on until the feeling passed,

we cannot give medical advice of course but I can share my experience. when I was obstructed and diagnosed the first thing my doc did was take me off Losartan because it includes a diuretic and diuretics can be dangerous for people with the obstructed form of the disease. I do not know if all forms of Losartan include a diuretic or if you are obstructed.

Dr Barry Maron is not in Minneapolis any longer. He moved to Boston and is affilated with the HCM Center at Tufts. There are several excellent HCM specialists at Mayo and elsewhere. HCM is not a common disease in that most cardiologists do not see a lot of patients with this disease. Therefore, if you can get to a specialist you should. You can contact the HCM Association in NJ for a list of certified HCM centers of excellence. 4hcm.org . good luck

I had echoes at age 21 and 47. My HCM did not show up until an echo at age 63. Hope this is helpful