Trip of a Different Kind
Back on the road again! This time to Rochester, Minnesota where we paid a visit to the Mayo Clinic. It wasn't the fun kind of trip where we take pictures and enjoy the sites, but a trip of a different kind...medical tests.
I won't bore you with the medical details of the visit, but suffice it to say that I am so very glad we came and have hopes of taking back my life and living it in a fuller manner. They are good that way!
The Mayo Clinic (which is actually an assortment of various clinics) is located in the heart of Rochester, Minnesota. Most of us have heard of it and know someone who has been treated there. I personally know of a lot of people who have been treated there also, almost all with positive reviews. It is an awesome place.
It takes a referral from your primary care physician and some time to be accepted as a patient. We began this process in December with them telling me it would likely be summer before I would be able to visit their clinic. Then out of the blue they had an opening for March 21st. I snapped it up, made hotel reservations and put it on my calendar so that nothing got scheduled on top of it.
When you arrive, it becomes obvious that Rochester has grown up around the Mayo Clinic. Many hotels are clustered around the downtown sites, many within walking distance and some that can access the clinic through the subway level. Those hotels that aren't as close are a bit cheaper and offer free shuttle services. Driving to the clinic is not for the faint of heart as traffic is tricky and parking is at a premium (with a premium price). Us country bumpkins are happy to ride the shuttle and leave the driving to the experts.
Walking into the Clinic is nothing like arriving at a local clinic. There are 19 floors, all accessible by dozens of elevators. My initial appointment was with the rheumatology department on the 15th floor. Here I made several assessments:
1. Mayo time is not the same as "Sandhills time". 7:30 means 7:30 sharp, not 7:30ish! The only variation is early, never late. It's amazing with all the patients that things work so efficiently.
2. You cannot become lost regardless of the size of the place. You only need to stop and look confused and someone will step up to ask if they can help you. They will give directions, and if you still seem confused they will walk you to your appointment.
3. I know my birth date, but after giving my name and birth date at each appointment it rolls of my tongue easily. Each person is assigned a patient number which is on every piece of documentation and page of instructions. I showed my number and gave my name and birth date dozens of times. Apparently the system works because each appointment was able to pull up my medical records and notes from each other appointment. Common sense would tell you that mistakes could be made, but I never witnessed anything but correct and efficient treatment.
4. We had time between appointments several times, and since we were a ways from our hotel, we had to just wait between appointments. In some cases we were able to check in early and see our health care professional early. Other times this didn't work, but we weren't suffering with the wait. There are free classes to attend, a medical library to visit, a delicious cafeteria, and comfortable and beautiful places to sit in the sun or watch people come and go.
5. This is a huge place. I asked Mike how many people he thought worked there and he guessed 6000 to 8000 people. We checked it out online and found out we were grossly underestimating the staff. It says 2300 physicians and scientists, 1900 residents and fellows, and 30,000+ additional staff for a total of over 34,000 on staff. Pretty sure the Mayo Clinic drives the economy of Rochester and the surrounding areas!
6. The Mayo Clinic is an international place. We saw people from all races, speaking many languages we didn't understand. It's obvious people come from all over the world to be treated at the Mayo Clinic. We cringed at the 8 hour drive we would be making, but it seemed almost in our back yard when you saw how far many came for treatment.
7. This was good for me to see some of the other patients who are in much worse condition than me. I tend to throw frequent pity parties about my achy knees and lack of energy and mobility. It can obviously be so much worse. An attitude of gratitude is in order for yours truly.
From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, we knew we were in good hands. As we arrived, valets were at the door of the shuttle to help us off and ask if we needed wheel chair assistance. (Pretty sure their inventory lists tens of thousands of wheel chairs, they were sitting everywhere.) Every shuttle arrival was announced over the speakers in the valet section where we awaited our shuttle when we left. And the valets directed traffic and made sure we got on the right shuttle, which could become confusing with all the traffic.
One recommendation I would make is to come with a companion. I was honored to be a companion for my sister Connie several years ago when she came for treatment. Mike was my companion. A lot of information is given in a short amount of time and it really helps to have another set of ears along. I also picked up records and literature at each stop, and it helped to have a "pack mule" to help carry all the stuff. A "partner in crime" is comforting!
The only reservation I have is the bill I will likely be getting for treatment. I have good health insurance but the deductible and out-of-pocket will likely come with sticker shock. But on a brighter note, my deductible and out-of-pocket are likely met for the year so it's probably a good year for all that stuff I like to put off and am seriously overdue on. Can't use cost as an excuse this year!
So here's the take away from this blog: While I hope it is never necessary for anyone to be in the kind of shape to need specialized treatment, it happens sometimes. And if and when it does, I would certainly recommend the Mayo Clinic as a treatment choice. One appointment branched off into 5 additional appointments, all in two days. It was a very coordinated treatment plan. I came with reservations and a fear that my hopes for a plan for a better life wouldn't turn out, but I have a plan and more hope than I thought possible. So watch out life, here I come!
I won't bore you with the medical details of the visit, but suffice it to say that I am so very glad we came and have hopes of taking back my life and living it in a fuller manner. They are good that way!
The Mayo Clinic (which is actually an assortment of various clinics) is located in the heart of Rochester, Minnesota. Most of us have heard of it and know someone who has been treated there. I personally know of a lot of people who have been treated there also, almost all with positive reviews. It is an awesome place.
It takes a referral from your primary care physician and some time to be accepted as a patient. We began this process in December with them telling me it would likely be summer before I would be able to visit their clinic. Then out of the blue they had an opening for March 21st. I snapped it up, made hotel reservations and put it on my calendar so that nothing got scheduled on top of it.
When you arrive, it becomes obvious that Rochester has grown up around the Mayo Clinic. Many hotels are clustered around the downtown sites, many within walking distance and some that can access the clinic through the subway level. Those hotels that aren't as close are a bit cheaper and offer free shuttle services. Driving to the clinic is not for the faint of heart as traffic is tricky and parking is at a premium (with a premium price). Us country bumpkins are happy to ride the shuttle and leave the driving to the experts.
Walking into the Clinic is nothing like arriving at a local clinic. There are 19 floors, all accessible by dozens of elevators. My initial appointment was with the rheumatology department on the 15th floor. Here I made several assessments:
1. Mayo time is not the same as "Sandhills time". 7:30 means 7:30 sharp, not 7:30ish! The only variation is early, never late. It's amazing with all the patients that things work so efficiently.
2. You cannot become lost regardless of the size of the place. You only need to stop and look confused and someone will step up to ask if they can help you. They will give directions, and if you still seem confused they will walk you to your appointment.
3. I know my birth date, but after giving my name and birth date at each appointment it rolls of my tongue easily. Each person is assigned a patient number which is on every piece of documentation and page of instructions. I showed my number and gave my name and birth date dozens of times. Apparently the system works because each appointment was able to pull up my medical records and notes from each other appointment. Common sense would tell you that mistakes could be made, but I never witnessed anything but correct and efficient treatment.
4. We had time between appointments several times, and since we were a ways from our hotel, we had to just wait between appointments. In some cases we were able to check in early and see our health care professional early. Other times this didn't work, but we weren't suffering with the wait. There are free classes to attend, a medical library to visit, a delicious cafeteria, and comfortable and beautiful places to sit in the sun or watch people come and go.
5. This is a huge place. I asked Mike how many people he thought worked there and he guessed 6000 to 8000 people. We checked it out online and found out we were grossly underestimating the staff. It says 2300 physicians and scientists, 1900 residents and fellows, and 30,000+ additional staff for a total of over 34,000 on staff. Pretty sure the Mayo Clinic drives the economy of Rochester and the surrounding areas!
6. The Mayo Clinic is an international place. We saw people from all races, speaking many languages we didn't understand. It's obvious people come from all over the world to be treated at the Mayo Clinic. We cringed at the 8 hour drive we would be making, but it seemed almost in our back yard when you saw how far many came for treatment.
7. This was good for me to see some of the other patients who are in much worse condition than me. I tend to throw frequent pity parties about my achy knees and lack of energy and mobility. It can obviously be so much worse. An attitude of gratitude is in order for yours truly.
From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, we knew we were in good hands. As we arrived, valets were at the door of the shuttle to help us off and ask if we needed wheel chair assistance. (Pretty sure their inventory lists tens of thousands of wheel chairs, they were sitting everywhere.) Every shuttle arrival was announced over the speakers in the valet section where we awaited our shuttle when we left. And the valets directed traffic and made sure we got on the right shuttle, which could become confusing with all the traffic.
One recommendation I would make is to come with a companion. I was honored to be a companion for my sister Connie several years ago when she came for treatment. Mike was my companion. A lot of information is given in a short amount of time and it really helps to have another set of ears along. I also picked up records and literature at each stop, and it helped to have a "pack mule" to help carry all the stuff. A "partner in crime" is comforting!
The only reservation I have is the bill I will likely be getting for treatment. I have good health insurance but the deductible and out-of-pocket will likely come with sticker shock. But on a brighter note, my deductible and out-of-pocket are likely met for the year so it's probably a good year for all that stuff I like to put off and am seriously overdue on. Can't use cost as an excuse this year!
So here's the take away from this blog: While I hope it is never necessary for anyone to be in the kind of shape to need specialized treatment, it happens sometimes. And if and when it does, I would certainly recommend the Mayo Clinic as a treatment choice. One appointment branched off into 5 additional appointments, all in two days. It was a very coordinated treatment plan. I came with reservations and a fear that my hopes for a plan for a better life wouldn't turn out, but I have a plan and more hope than I thought possible. So watch out life, here I come!
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