I came back alone to our beloved Mayo Clinic in July 2009, and it was hard. When I walked into the Mayo building lobby and looked around, tears streamed down my face. I called my son, Jim, with my voice trembling, hardly able to speak. “Don’t worry, Mom, Dad is with you I know, and you need to do this so you’ll go on living”, Jim consoled. We spoke a little longer, I hung up, dried the tears, collected myself and walked purposefully to the welcoming elevators.

I was at Mayo Clinic to check on my own health, but it didn’t seem right not to have my darling husband by my side. Not to have his health needs be my first concern. Without his hand to hold while I began my own health journey, it made me feel very alone. My husband, Marshall, had Inclusion Body Myositis and, in the final months, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Michael, the Archangel, escorted him to heaven Sept. 8, 2006.

Memories of our happy times together here at Mayo Clinic returned to me the day I came down alone. Over a six year period, we made many trips to Rochester from our home in Minneapolis. We told our friends not to feel sorry for us because we treated those times like mini vacations. We always drove down the day before a series of appointments for Marshall so we could settle in and relax away from the stress that surrounded our life in the cities. Driving to Rochester was pleasant. We loved the bucolic farm scenes. We stopped at the hidden away Lake Byllesby Park to drink our thermos of coffee and enjoy a brought-along sweet.

The shuttle from our hotel was a chance to renew friendships with our familiar drivers. We got to know the drivers and each trip would catch up on their lives. They were careful not to ask how Marshall was doing. But as he grew weaker, they gently increased helping him navigate the shuttle stairs. Eventually he was wheelchair bound but once again, without a word, they opened the wheelchair lift, joking with him about the weather (he was a retired meteorologist) and up he’d go into the shuttle.

As we approached the circle drive in front of the Mayo building, our first taste of welcome was waiting for us. An army of blue suited, smiling greeters approached with outstretched arms, helpful hands and happy talk. Immediately you felt at home and very important in this world. We could feel it was the right place at the right time. There was the promise of whatever was discovered or treated here, it would surely help us cope and keep us happy.

As we came into the Mayo building lobby and even looked slightly puzzled, another welcoming greeter would ask if he/she could help find our destination. When we looked around, we were immediately enveloped in the intriguing magnificent art objects and sculptures, the awesome Chihuly blown glass billowing from the ceilings, the real live piano music wafting through the halls and, surrounding it all, the gardens and flowers for every season wishing us well.

There was always so much to see each time we visited with exhibits changing periodically. Everything helped ease whatever news we were about to hear. As we walked down the halls from one appointment to the next, there were soft and inviting groupings of sofas and chairs with handy end tables to hold our big bags of necessary take-along material. And at every turn, expansive window views of the Plaza below. Our favorite spot to while away the hours between appointments was on the subway level with the seasonal blooming gardens and outdoor patio. Experiencing the sunny relaxation, we could escape into a personal world feeling secure with the best care and caring awaiting us.

Because this was our mini vacation, of course, we had favorite restaurants too! We enjoyed the Tavern at the Kahler Hotel for lunch, Michaels for dinner. From memory we ordered our comfort food and soaked up the attention and atmosphere. To end the day I would always swim a few laps in the hotel pool while my darling sat and watched and read his ever present Louis L’Amour novel.

Now it’s my turn, and I’m alone. I do not have nearly as serious a health concern but going through the motions alone is hard. Calling on pray for inner strength and courage, I will begin to overcome the initial shock of being alone. I will start to settle in and enjoy my mini vacations here. I am awed again viewing the Chihulys hanging gracefully from the ceiling. I begin to feel at peace with the lovely flowers, the relaxing sun-drenched patio. I enjoy a quiet lunch alone at the Tavern.

That night in July 2009, I wrote to him in my journal as I have every day since he passed. “We’re here again my darling. You are watching over me, and I have these smiling blue suited angels all to take care of me. I’ll be ok. I’ll carry on.”

Thanks, Mayo, for putting your caring, beautiful arms around me. Thanks for easing the change in my life with your steady, safe harbor. Thanks for helping me learn how to live a happy life alone.

Submitted by Rochester Mayo Clinic patient, Margaret Goff from Edina, MN

Whether it be flying to the scene of a car accident or transporting a critically ill patient to a specialty hospital by helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft, the flight nursing specialty requires an experienced and skilled professional to make split-second decisions during intense situations.

A day in the life of a flight nurse is never the same. Tim Alden, R.N.,  flight nurse for Mayo Clinic Medical Transport (MCMT) in Rochester, Minn., would agree that the flight nursing specialty provides a level of excitement that is difficult to match within the nursing profession.

As a flight nurse with MCMT, Tim’s “offices” are in the back of a Eurocopter 145 or in the cabin of a Beechjet 400. Each aircraft is stocked with equipment and medication comparable to what would be found in an emergency department or intensive care unit. Tim and his colleagues must be prepared for any type of emergency and must be able to perform in any environment. Tim maintains advanced skills by completing continuous training and education.

I had the opportunity to interview Tim to discuss what a typical day in the life of a flight nurse was like and to ask questions about what it takes to become a flight nurse.

Mayo Clinic Medical Transport celebrates its 25th year of service this year. MCMT has grown to include three bases in Rochester and Mankato, Minn. and Eau Claire, Wisc.  The MCMT medical crew is composed of medical directors, flight nurses, flight paramedics, as well as a Nursing Education Specialist and a Clinical Nurse Specialist.  Specially trained neonatal and pediatric nurses and respiratory therapists are also an essential part of the Mayo Clinic Medical Transport team.  Each year, MCMT collectively transports over 2,000 patients. MCMT flight nurses also work on Mayo MedAir Ambulance, Mayo’s fixed-wing aircraft, to transport patients across the country. MCMT comprises state-of-the-art aircraft designed to provide optimal care and enhance the safety for all on board. It goes without stating, however, MCMT would not be successful without the pilots, mechanics and Emergency Communications Center, as well as all of the team members that contribute to meeting the needs of our patients.

Flight nursing is only one of many specialties the nursing profession has to offer. For those interested in the nursing profession, click on the following link to learn more about over 60 nursing specialties at Mayo Medical Center. Tim would welcome any comments you may have on the flight nursing specialty or any other comments you may have.

This post was submitted by Mark LaMaster, nursing placement coordinator, Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Less than a year ago, four-year-old Max Irvine was having hundreds of seizures a day … he couldn’t walk, talk or chew his food. A previously healthy and active preschooler, Max has epilepsy. The Irvines were told by one epilepsy specialist that their son would become mentally incompetent from his seizures. Thankfully, they refused to believe this devastating news.

Under the guidance of Mayo Clinic pediatric neurologist Elaine Wirrell, M.D., the Irvines say they experienced a miracle. They took Max off all his epilepsy medications and relied on the ketogenic diet, a high-fat, low-protein, non-carbohydrate diet, to inhibit his seizures. The day he took his last pill, he started to walk again – that evening he began talking again — and he hasn’t had another seizure since.

In the video below, Max’s parents, Troy and Kristine Irvine, tell their Mayo Clinic story.

Please note: If the ketogenic diet is effective, some, but not all, children may be safely weaned from their medications. This decision must be discussed with a neurologist prior to any attempt to withdraw medication.

This story was submitted by Elizabeth Rice, Mayo Clinic in Rochester communications consultant in Public Affairs.

Regular readers of Sharing Mayo Clinic — or Facebook “fans” or Twitter followers or YouTube subscribers — won’t be surprised at what KAAL-TV reported yesterday about Mayo’s involvement in social media:

Social Networking is usually a no-no at work and more young people use it as a means of communicating in our ever evolving high tech world. But you might be surprised to know that Mayo Clinic is using all forms of social media to its benefit, as well as the benefit of its patients…

More than 25 percent of Mayo Clinic patients come from more than 500 miles away. As a result, Mayo has turned to social media as a way to communicate with those patients.

You can see the full story here. For more details on Mayo Clinic’s social media platforms and how you can get involved, see 10 Ways You Can Use Mayo Clinic’s Social Media Tools.

Brenda Bonds, a Mayo Clinic patient from Wisconsin, shared this story recently via email. To share your story, click here for options.

Pain is a fascinating phenomenon. The stronger it gets, the more it steals your life away. And I was clinging to mine. But four years earlier, a few random pains were only a minor annoyance.

Then six months later I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor. Meanwhile, those strange pain attacks on one side of my head began to make my eye water. They would start with pressure that built to a peak of pain, and then faded away. Over the next three years I saw my primary doctor, an endocrinologist, an allergist, an ENT, a neurosurgeon and a neurologist about them—but no one had a clue and so they continued.

Then this spring I began having more attacks that were growing in severity. I took naps in my car over lunch just to get through the day. I was tired all the time and eventually needed to take a medical leave from work. It seemed like everything in life triggered an attack—walking, bending, showering—even light, sounds and smells. I became isolated in my home and thought I was eventually going to die from this.

One day I became so desperate for just a moment of relief that I sliced the top of my arm with a knife. The cuts hurt just enough to distract me from my head pains, and then the endorphins kicked in. It was like a two-hour vacation from hell.

By now it had been four years and still no one was medically helping me. My primary doctor wanted me to see a pain psychologist to help me “cope.” Some of the attacks were up to a level 10—the worst a human being can feel. I was fighting to stay off the edge of insanity—and there was no way to “cope” myself away from it.

After endless arguing with my HMO and finally using my own savings, I went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. There I met my hero—a neurologist named Dr. Ivan Garza. He listened to me, considered all possibilities, and said he wouldn’t give up until I was well. He solved my mystery, and though my recovery wasn’t overnight, I eventually did get my life back like he promised.

It turned out that my condition is very rare. It’s called SUNA (short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic features) and difficult to diagnose because there’s no test. But it is sometimes related to pituitary tumors. If you have pain attacks on one side of your head that builds to a peak and fades quickly, making your eye tear—please talk to your doctor. And if he or she doesn’t listen, find someone who will. He’s out there.

The Mayo Clinic Healthcare Career Festival was held October 6 in Rochester, Minn., and was a huge success with nearly 800 high school students from 45 different schools visiting the festival.

The festival, in it’s fifth year, is designed to educate area students about career awareness education and information about careers in healthcare. It also provides opportunities for students to use patient care equipment — all within a festive, engaging atmosphere.

Click here to view local news coverage of the event.

This post was submitted by Randy Schwarz, Recruitment Strategies, Human Resources, Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Mayo Clinic recently received an award for being one of the “Best Workplaces for Commuters” during 2009–2010. The “Best Workplaces for Commuters” award is part of an innovative membership program that recognizes organizations that offer outstanding commuter benefits, such as:

• Free or low-cost bus passes
• Shuttle services
• Car pool programs
• Guaranteed rides home
• Bicycle parking

“Best Workplaces for Commuters” promotes transit, car pools, and teleworking as economically beneficial options to drive-alone commuting and demonstrates that these options provide value to workers, employers and the environment.

For more information about “Best Workplaces for Commuters,” visit bestworkplaces.org/index.htm.

This post was submitted by Randy Schwarz, Recruitment Strategies, Human Resources, Mayo Clinic in Rochester.