Traveling alone to Mayo MN for Translab - how to prepare help

[jaynereiter]

Tumor grew from 1.4 to 2,3, in 60 days , newly diagnosed. 
Choose Mayo after an in person consult.
I am 78, very healthy, very active. I have no other health conditions. I will have surgery in one week.  I am traveling alone so how did you navigate travel at airports after surgery. 
Do I need a cane, should I book a wheelchair while in terminal, planning to use golf cart ride for now.
How long was your hosp. stay (i know different for all).
Planning to transition from discharge to hotel for 2 days.
How soon did you get on airplane or did you hangout in Rochester for a few days.
I have learned a lot from all of you about the surgery, now the details of travel are on my mind.
Thank you in advance for feedback.

[MarlaB]

I understand you are traveling alone, but I would strongly suggest you ask for as much assistance (wheelchair, escorts, early boarding) as you can get.

I was in for three days, but I had daily help for the month after as I had a kiddo who needed meals cooked (go figure) and rides everywhere.

You will know more about what your limits are in the days after surgery, I got on a plane a month later, but there are many who travel for surgery. Will someone local to you be removing staples/stitches??

Wishing you the best!!

Marla B
Admin

[jaynereiter]

MarlaB, I appreciate learning your experience. 
My primary in Colorado will remove staples.
The travel services at Mayo are a blessing Returning to airport I will be dropped right where I can get services to plane.
I have freezer food, etc. I have a cane if needed once home and a fantastic park near by to walk, which I understand is very important.
I so trust my Mayo team!
This has been quite an adventure for 6 months, up & down. 
After reading so much on this website I have set my expectations at a reasonable level.
Hoping my surgery will be one of the success stories.

[MarlaB]

See you on the other side! Keep us posted!!

Marla B

[DanFouratt]

Good luck.  You are a strong person and will get through this just fine.  Let us know when you get back home.

Best Wishes

[donjehle]

Hi jaynereiter and welcome to the ANA Forums!  Thanks for posting!

I strongly recommend that you have someone go with you to Mayo.  They do an excellent work there, and you will be in very good hands.  However, there is nothing better than having a friend or relative present with you when you go through a major treatment like this.

I know it is not always possible to have someone make that long journey with you.  But I used to be a hospital chaplain and I was often amazed at the goodwill of some people.  I witnessed some people who traveled hundreds of miles to be with a relative, a neighbor, or a member of their church during their surgery and recovery.  I know it's not always possible in every case, but I have witnessed the benefits or having someone by the side of the patient.

Can you survive without someone with you?  Of course.  But it is SO much easier with a supportive person with you.  Ask everyone you know if they would be willing to go to Mayo with you.  You might be surprised who would be willing to do that for you.

And please do let us know how it goes for you at the Mayo Clinic!

Best wishes,
Don

[bfoley]

Greetings!  I had translab surgery last January with Dr Link and Dr Neff.

Every case is unique, but I would be happy to share how my surgery went. Feel free to PM me if you want additional details or have other questions I might be able to help with. I was 58 at time of surgery.

I was accompanied by family - I really appreciated having someone there. They rented an airbnb house as there were 3 of them.  We went to Rochester on a Monday as there were pre-surgical screenings and appointments. I also spent that night in the house. Don is spot on that you likely can do this alone, but it is nice to have a friendly face and help right in the room. Since there were 3 they rotated and someone was there most of the time.

Tuesday am was surgery.  You are likely going to have to be there around 5am. Surgery started between 7 and 8. It was around 9 hours. You wake up with a foley catheter. They do not want you moving that day.

I was walking daily prior to surgery and was doing balance work daily too. The day after surgery I asked to walk. They want you to use a walker, and the nurse has to be free to go with you. After they decided I was not a real fall risk, they allowed a family member to walk me (after the first couple walks with staff, having the fall belt applied and hanging on to it). I am a person who pushes myself, so I went on multiple walks per day, and most walks were a few laps around the units. After walk 1 there was no walker or cane required because I proved I was steady enough. 

Each team comes in multiple times a day (and night) to assess you (neuro and ENT). 

I begged to be discharged Friday.  Neuro was OK with that due to family support, ENT was wanting one more night, but a snowstorm was coming so they agreed and I went home Friday.  I live in the Twin cities so its not a terribly far drive, and therefore no airplane trips for me.

Could I have done it without someone? Probably. But it would not have been the awesome experience that it was.  The day of and following surgery is blur, and having someone who doesn't have after effects of anesthesia going to hear what they said was also very much appreciated. 

Wishing you peace on your journey!

[jaynereiter]

So much great in-site, thank you.

[Greece Lover]

You will definitely want a wheelchair!