Mayo on July 6-7

[abilks]

I just called Mayo, as I hadn't received my appointment paperwork, nor did I know which doctor I'd be seeing. They just told me to report at 8:00 and I'd get my information went I arrived that morning. I guess I would have figured they would send me the information in advance. I asked about fasting and he said yes (wouldn't have known had I not asked). Anyway, they told me I'd be seeing Dr. Klarich. I guess I was hoping I'd see Dr. Ommen, just from reading comments on this board, but hopefully she will be OK too. Anyone have experiences with her?

[mbcube]

No experience with her, but you are in for a treat. The Mayo is a wonderful experience. Take time to enjoy the art, ask questions as everyone is helpful and you never feel rushed or that your taking their time.

After I arrived at check-in they gave me a 2-3 page schedule and from that point on the fun began!

If you finish early at one station, go to the next & see if they can accomodate you, I did & had my blood drawn hours sooner which allowed me to eat at a reasonable time.

It is a really neat place to experience healthcare at it's finest.

[Alysha]

Good luck it is a great place to be. I am actually at Rochester (Mayo) I have my pre-op stuff today and will have my myectomy tomorrow. Hopefully I will be leaving on the 6th or so. You will like it here. I have Dr. Freeman he is awesome do not know yours but I am sure he/she is great also. Dr Schaff is the one doing the surgery. I'll be at Saint Mary's so I am sure I will not see you, but wish you the best of luck. ~Alysha

[Cynaburst]

I don't know Dr. Klarich, but I know of others who have used her and really like her.

[Midge Rollins]

Dr. Klarich is WONDERFUL. I saw her the last couple of years before my transplant. She is very caring and as most of the HCM docs there goes above and beyond. She went as far as giving me her home phone # once when I was in the hospital in case I just needed to talk to her. As I said she is great.

[Sarah]

Dr. Nishimura picked out Dr. Klarich for me and she is fantastic! She is one of the HCM clinic doctors and will spend as much time as you need with her. (Note that her first name is Kyle, which confuses some people.)

I've never fasted before I went. If you haven't made your appt. very far in advance, they wouldn't have time to send you any packets. I have gone both with and without and it doesn't really make a difference as you'll get a nice packet when you arrive with maps and a schedule.

The Mayo concierge can help with hotels, logistics, but you can also google Rochester, MN and get the tourist bureau sites that have tons of info, too.

PM me with any questions about Dr. K and/or Mayo now or after your visit. I've been there five times. And once to Cleveland and I prefer Mayo.

S

[abilks]

Thanks for the input everyone! I'm anxious to get there and hear what they have to say. I'm much more relaxed about the appointments and hearing your feedback about Dr. Klarich is great. Thanks again.

[Sarah]

Let us know how it goes and I second the advice that if you get done one place early, go ahead and check in early at the next one just in case they can fit you in (or go get a snack or look at the art --there are tours of the facility and fantastic art).

[angall]

Hi
I had Dr. Klarich for my cardiologist prior to my heart transplant. I cannot put in words how much I admire her as a physician and as a caring person. She saw how I was going down hill by looking at tests sooner that I was feeling it. She is WONDERFUL! If I could, I would have continuted her as my physician after transplant, but unfortunately her field of knowledge was not in transplant. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with most of the transplant doctors in Rochester, but she made me feel like I was very important to her (and I'm sure each and every one of her patients are). I could go on and on as to her dedecation and knowledge, but you will find out as soon as you meet her as she will make you feel comfortable from day one. Don't hesitate to ask questions, she will be more than happy to answer them for you. I must give you an example......I was a smoker, Dr. Klarich told me that if I quit smoking she would send me a bouquet of balloons (that is what I told her I wanted). As her word, she did sent me a bouquet when I was a patient in the hospital and I was amoke free! I have communicated with her via email on personal issues and she is still the caring, loving lady (doctor) I have grown to respect and love.
Give her my best. (My name is Esther from Minnesota) I'm sure she'll know who you are referring to.

[mandksiders]

How did your appointments go?

I head up there Sunday for Monday and Tuesday appts....hope yours went well.

-Kaye

[abilks]

Thanks for asking! I had planned to put an update when I returned, but my grandfather became ill when I was gone and passed yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to check back in.

The trip was great. It was hard to imagine what Mayo would be like and I don't think you can ever describe the care there. It was a wonderful experience. I was able to complete 5 days of scheduled appointments into 2 1/2 days. They were so accommodating. Dr. Klarich was awesome and she was so open to answering all (and there were a lot) of my questions. I met Dr. Bradley (one of the electro cardiologists) who was also great. They changed my medication to another beta blocker, which I am tolerating so much better. They deduced that I had an atrial flutter episode which set my debfirillator off so many times. So, hopefully the meds will prevent the heart from going that fast again. I'm a little nervous knowing that once this starts, it will more than likely come back. But, I've decided I shouldn't be scared of the defibrillator. While it was scary, the event was only 2 minutes of my 29 years of life and I'm still here.

I'll be back there in a year and continue to follow with my local cardio. I'm also starting cardiac rehab next week. I've never exercised, so this help me get into the rhythm and know my limits.

[THW]

Amy,
I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather.

Glad you had a good visit and got some answers. Amazing to get to a HCM Center of Excellence, isn't it!? Hope you continue to do well with the new med.

Kaye,
Thinking of you today. Let us know how it goes for you.
Theresa

[mandksiders]

I am glad your appointments went well. I just love Mayo.

Theresa,
My appointments today were great, thanks!. I can't say how much I love Dr. Ommen. I love that I can joke around with him, it makes me feel so much more comfortable when dealing with this condition. Anyway, everything from this year's tests are the same as last years...my septal measurement was the same at 1.3, my EF was 67% and Dr. Ommen said my EKG was the best one he'd seen all day- LOL (this was after he told me it looked good and I said, "Just good, not the best you've ever seen?" to which he replied it was the best he'd seen all day). Anway, no med changes, no obstruction, etc. I am a happy camper. We met with the genetic counselor too and filled out the paperwork to get our boys tested. Am quite nervous and stressed, but in the end, it's for the best.

Thanks!
Kaye

[gfox42]

Amy and Kaye,
Great to hear such good stuff from both of you!

Gordon

[mbcube]

Amy & Kaye -
Glad your visits were all you hoped.

[THW]

Kaye,
Will be praying your boys test negative; glad to hear you got a good report!
Theresa