Called the Mayo Clinic

[RunningMom]

I'm just about to run out the door to grab all my MRI's and xrays from the imaging place and clinic.  The Neurosurgeons need to review my case before they will let me make an appointment.  Please say a prayer for me that they will take my case.  We will over night mail the MRI's and xrays.  I really hope they are willing to help me.  

[RunningMom]

Thank you everyone!  I just typed out the cover letter today and hubby is sending it first thing tomorrow morning.  I wanted to make sure that I put in there to look at the pictures of the object that is in the spinal cord.  I was reading their website and they said anything that has to do with spinal cord compression requires emergency surgery.  Maybe I should of went there in the first place.  

I'm in so much pain now that I can't imagine having to deal with it much longer.  I'm getting all of my questions ready and writing down all the procedures that I've had.  Geminigirl, your right about the xrays.  I'm not worried about not sending them.  

Tuck, I live fairly close to Wisconsin.  I'm on the middle east side of Minnesota. :)  I'm even thinking of getting an opinion with the UofM as on top of the Mayo.  We will see how long it takes for the Mayo to call me back.  I've been trying to find the answers for two years.  It wasn't until just this past week with the last MRI that shows more of what is going on.  

[Tuckamore]

Runningmom,

GREAT News!! I am so very glad that you are being so assertive in your quest for answers. A back up plan is also a wonderful idea. You go girl!!

We must live fairly close to one another. I am about 2 1/2 hours from the Mayo Clinic...which will be my next stop if the University Hospital Surgeon cannot or will not help me. Second opinions can only be beneficial.

The wait can seem endless. We are all here for you!!

I have been praying for you and will continue to do so. I am so proud of your take charge attitude and actions. :)

My Very Best to You,
~Tuck  

[geminigirl1963]

So glad to hear that you're close to where you would be going.  That definitely helps with making appointments - you don't have to worry about being able to get a flight, train, car travel, hotel, etc.  I would think (and hope) that since you're able to provide them with all this advance information with the MRI's, CT's, etc., that they will be able to give you an appointment SOON - especially since you're dealing with your spinal cord here!  I have a feeling once they see your scans, you will be getting a phone call asking how soon you can be there!  Let's hope that happens anyway!

Keep us posted!

[jamlws]

It is so hard waiting for drs or clinics to call you back. I hope they call you back soon and able to get you in very soon so you can see if they can help you. I know how much pain you live in everyday and only wish for the best for you.
Jamie

[RunningMom]

I'm going to the Mayo clinic in Rochester, MN.  I live about an hour and a half from there.  I hope they call soon.  There is a metal piece or something digging into my spinal cord.  If the Mayo clinic does not call back in a decent time, I will also make an appointment with the head of neurosurgery at the University of Minnesota and I also have a couple Neurosurgeons names for a back up plan as well.

I hope someone will help me in this regards. The pain doctor is all for me going to the Mayo clinic.  In fact he was urging me to go.  I have an appointment with the pain clinic in August, so if I haven't heard from the Mayo then, I will have the referral sent.

[geminigirl1963]

I'm sorry if I added some worry to you - I really didn't mean to.  I honestly think that if your doc is willing/able to get involved in the appointment process, that Mayo will work diligently to get you in SOON.  When I did my appointment request, I did it completely on my own (I could have gotten my doctor involved, but I wasn't very comfortable with that doc at the time andhence me wanting the appointment with Mayo for a 2nd opinion), so I'm sure that probably delayed my response.  I think it probably also depends on the department that you're requesting an appointment with and the severity of the problem.  Mine was with gastroenterology and was NOT a surgical problem, so I'm sure it was a lower priority than yours is.  It also probably depends on which location you are looking to go to.  Where will your appointment be?  Mine was going to be down in Florida.  As it turned out, by the time they had contacted me regarding setting up an appointment, I had been able to find a new gastro doc and he had actulaly figured out what the problem was, so I never did follow through with the Mayo appointment.  At that time, I was very comfortable and happy with my new gastro doc and felt confident that he was treating me appropriately, so I made the decision to not do that travel (I live in VA and would have to travel to FL) and expense since the treatment my new doc was giving me was working.  Of course, if it hadn't been, I would have spared no expense or time to get to Mayo and try to get things figured out.  I've heard nothing but WONDERFUL things about them.

I wouldn't worry too much about not being able to get the xrays - xrays are easy enough for Mayo to get when you go for the appt and also something that typically does not have to be "scheduled" so you should be able to get fresh ones that same day if they require it.

I would say if you haven't heard anything from Mayo in a week or so, maybe ask your pain doc to give them a call and see if he can light a fire under them.

Best of luck and please keep us posted on what you hear!

[RunningMom]

Thank you everyone!  I got most of the films I need.  The old spine clinic can not copy the xray for me.  They said they do not have a cd burner, which is not true.  They've burned a MRI for me in the past.  I'm sure it's not a necessary thing to have anyways and I'm not going to worry about it.  I hope the Mayo calls me for an appointment soon.  I can't wait a year.lol  Maybe the pain doctor can speed things up.

[designgyrl]

I hope everything turns out ok and they figure out what's going on with you!

[geminigirl1963]

You're definitely in my prayers - try to be patient, though if you don't hear back from them right away - I requested an appointment with the Mayo Clinic and it was almost a year before I heard back from them!  If your current docs office does the request/referral, though, it should go a lot faster.

[jamlws]

You are in my thoughts and I am keeping my fingers closed for you.
Jamie

[namnam46]

My Fingers are ALREADY CROSSED for you!!

I hope and Pray that they will ACCEPT you as a patient and try to take care of your multiple problems!

Thinking of you....Sherry

[mummy3too]

Good luck - and don't forget to get copies of the radiologist's reports, too!!

Keep us updated!!

[dame_wilbur]

good luck sweetie, I'll keep my fingers crossed!