How can I switch to Mayo?

I have a consultation with the Mayo and want to explore switching to this group and work with Dr Kwan. Having heart arrhythmias related to the firmagon started 5 weeks ago. Prostate met to lymph nodes local to pelvis. ADT on hold till get the go ahead from Cardiologist. 67 very active gym rat, mountain biker , climber until the firmagon with no history of heart stuff. I’m trying to navigate about 7 providers now and it would like to get under the one umbrella with Mayo. Feb. PSA 79, then 104 a month later. Now PSA 4.51.
Just finished second round of Chemo on 5/8.
How can I get Mayo to take me on guys? Thanks for the help.

Thanks!

Yep Twin Cities too. Medicare supplement.

Thanks for the input.

I'll admit when I saw your title, my first thought was, "Ditch the Miracle Whip and buy a jar of Hellmann's"

ZekeT said...
Thanks!
Yep Twin Cities too. Medicare supplement.
Thanks for the input.

Well, howdy neighbor. You are well suited for Mayo. They have a couple of clinics starting to sneak into the Metro area if you live south.

There is a well known prostate oncologist, Dr. Oliver Sartor, that moved to Mayo-Rochester last year so a couple of great resources there for the tough cases.

Dr. Sartor moved from Tulane to Mayo some 18 months ago. Very experienced and leading edge medical oncologist for more than 30 years. The combination of Drs. Kwon and Sartor puts Mayo at the top for difficult PCa cases. I have often said that if my PSA were to start back up I would immediately go to Sartor at Tulane, now at Mayo.

As a few others have said, if you are on traditional Medicare and a Supplement, you can go anywhere in the USA yiu choose and you do not need a referral. Just call them and make the appointment.

Diagnosed in 2013, my local oncologist looks after me like a brother, but I added Dr.Kwon to my team in 2015.

He is a maverick in his approach. When I needed additional treatment, he had a Mayo radiologist map out a tailored radiation plan for me, and a local radiologist followed the "map" that Mayo planned.

My experiences have been stellar at Mayo Clinic. I am thankful that I sought out the expertise of Dr. Kwon.

I drive up to Rochester, Minnesota, the afternoon before, and lodge in a hotel that is across the street from the Mayo Campus, and simply walk to the medical buildings for my appointments.

Sending my supportive thoughts ~
CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University

Post Edited (Cyclone-ISU) : 5/16/2024 2:57:51 AM (GMT-8)

Hello, Zeke ~

In my experiences with Mayo Clinic, appointments are well coordinated.

One walks from one building to another, and the buildings are in close proximity.

Dr. Kwon is a proponent of using a choline tracer scan, to identify trouble spots, where cancer is found.

When I first met him, he immediately called my local oncologist, in my presence, to create a working relationship with him.

Dr. Kwon's office is in the Gonda Building, on the Mayo Campus. He is known as the "early bird" of Mayo ~ arriving before sunrise to start his day.

I have always been treated so well by all the staff, lab technicians, and scan technicians.

Near the Mayo Campus, there are sandwich shops, coffee shops, and restaurants. I highly recommend Chester's Kitchen for evening meals. Wonderful menu and atmosphere, after a day of tests and scans.

There are parking ramps near the medical campus. Some hotels offer shuttle bus transport. I stay in a hotel right across the street from the Mayo Campus, so I simply walk to my appointments and scans and tests.

Very positive experiences there.

I hope you are faring well in your current treatments. Have been thinking of you often!

CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University

Hello, Zeke T.

A typical Mayo Clinic schedule involves a day of testing, and then a consultation with Dr. Kwon the next day, when scan and test results are then shared.

For my own convenience, I typically arrive at the hotel late in the afternoon before the tests begin, if the tests start early the next morning.

So, typically, I lodge 2 evenings in the hotel.

I often check out of the hotel on the last day, see Dr. Kwon, and then drive home right afterwards.

They seem to do a very nice job of organizing and coordinating one's itinerary.

I keep a folder with driving directions, hotel booking information, a map of the medical campus at Mayo, and even notes on how much time it has taken me to drive to Rochester, Minnesota.

I have even noted which hotel rooms I liked best ~ rooms with a view.

I have parking ramps noted on my map. Sometimes, my first choice in ramps is full.

All of this has helped me plan for subsequent visits. Be sure to go online and check out the menu for Chester's Kitchen ~ a great restaurant choice after all your tests and scans are done, near the medical campus. I often rest a bit, back at the hotel, after tests are done, then I enjoy a great dinner there.

After one's first visit, you will have it all mastered.

CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University

Thanks Cyclone!

I have a consult on the 21st at Mayo with Kwon.