_{I have really been around to different places}

_{as far as hospitals and clinics go. The Mayo}

_{Clinc in Rochester, is where I went several}

_{times. I cannot specify enough, professional}

_{and organized everything is.}

When you first go there, you

go directly to a line where you

get envelope/brochure that has your schedule for the day. It normally has

several different appts and places for you to go and either at the end of the

day, if thats all the testing you have done is one day, then you have the

appointment with our Doctor.

If you go in to have blood work done, you will be in and out pretty quick. I

could not believe the system. There is about 100 to 200 people all in one

room, but there are like 60 people taking the blood. It is so organized, as I

was just in awe of how well things are managed. The only bad part about

going to Mayo is the fact if you have tests set up every day, usually they try to

get everything done in 2 or 3 days, you have to stay in a Hotel, as they don't

admit you there unless you are in very bad shape.So, I guess I would not want

to be in that bad of shape, so spending the money on a hotel was in my case,

a good thing. I thought when I got there, that I would basically be just a

number because of the volume of people that go there. I thought, oh great, I

am going in and have to have this test done and going under anesthesia, that

I would not get the consideration and "hometown" kindness. Well, they were

so considerate of my feelings and very professional. They went over and

beyond what I ever expected out of such a big high volume clinic.

Shuttle Busses

Don't worry too much about having a place to park at the clinic. Every hotel I

found, that was in within 15 to 20 miles of the clinic, had a free shuttle bus

that ran like every half hour. They have announcements outside and inside

the lobby doors that tell you what bus and for which hotel. They even have

brochures that tell you what time the shuttle picks up at the hotel to take you

to clinic. The buses are warm and very nicely kept.

Restaurants

If you are hungry, goodness sakes, don't worry about food. Rochester is full

restaurants. They have everything from Mexican, Asian, Chinese, Italian, to

fast food. I do personally have my favorite and that is a elegant but non-formal

Italian place. It is called Victoria's. The atmosphere there is just so romantic,

but yet not overly. You will look just like you fit in if you wear a pair of jeans

and a nice top, to decking out in your formal attire. Great food.

Hotels and Inns

If you are going to be staying there for a week, I would strongly suggest

staying at one of the Inns. They are relatively fair in price. Usually around

$59.99 a night. That is the Mayo rate. They have nice Inns with full kitchens

and a little desk. Comfortable and about the right way to go. If you prefer a

swimming pool and more options, I would stay at one of the hotels. IF you do

decide to stay at a Hotel, Please make sure you ask for the MAYO CLINIC

RATE as it will take off almost $20 in some hotels! We have always seem to of

chosen the hotels because my husband likes to swim and we were never there

long enough to have to stay at an Inn.