Hi there!
I live just outside of Milwaukee. I was all set to have a full day of appts at Mayo clinic last week, but cancelled as I made my decision to go to House in LA. From what I have read and heard, Dr Link at Mayo is great! To give you some perspective on how I made my decision.... I am in Medical device sales and spend most of my time in the operating room, so I am super critical. I spoke with several surgeons (general not neuro) about decision making. I also reached out to numerous post op patients. I had the chance to speak to Dr Friedman from HEI (thank you DL) over the phone. After speaking with him I just knew. I didn't think that I would get that feeling about anyone/anywhere, but I did. You will too. Now I will also tell you that I am fortunate enough to have my husband, mother and mother in law coming out with me to take care of my baby. If I didn't have them, it would have changed my ability to fly across the country...
Obviously, surgical volume is important. Not only is it important for the doc, but it is also important for the ancillary care staff. You want the nurses on the floor to be used to managing AN patients and are able to immediately diagnose and respond to potential complications. I needed to feel like I was being heard by the surgeon and able to ask anything. Dr F and I have spoke or emailed almost daily for a week and a half. He recognized how scared and neurotic I am due to my pregnancy and tumor size and has supported me accordingly. (As a note here, I never met the docs at Mayo. Once I spoke with Dr F I stopped looking further as to not stress myself out and muddy the waters). I met 2 other surgical groups in person before deciding. Now I wait for my c-section then my AN surgery in July. Once you make that decision, you will feel much better...I did. So my advice is to take your time, so some research and then make peace with it all...if you want to talk I am here and am going through this alongside of you...
Best,
Kris
