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• February 13, 2013 10:46 p.m.

  I am a cancern patient and also was a Mayo employee when diagnosed with cancer, yes you will probably need to referrals to 10 different Dr.'s to get you questions answered. It's just how it goes!

  - Sherry

• October 12, 2012 11:28 p.m.

  :)

  - So.sheryl

• November 3, 2011 9:35 p.m.

  I am a patient in the Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Mayo locations. When I was under cancer treatment, I was covered by their insurance. The insurance advocate I had was going crazy because I could not find a person to help me coordinate my care, we called all over at the hospital in Eau Claire, with no luck. She had called Rochester to see what could be done with no answers. A few weeks ago I went to Women Rock in Eau Claire, WI which Mayo is a big supporter of. I picked up some paperwork from the cancer stand, and it gave me a number to a new cancer-care patient coodinator. Have called twice, have not received a call back. So much for help for the cancer survivors. All my doctor's tell me they don't know how to help with the late term effects of cancer, so I'm just hoping I'm doing the right thing. The American Cancer Society here in Eau Claire was no help to me either. What do we have to do to get some help??

  - Sherry

• April 14, 2011 6:22 a.m.

  I Had never used the blogs here before and I guess I was expecting some kind of response. As I sit and wait for the return, trying to live each day as normal as possible, something,anything would be helpful. I have been a patient or my son has gone to Mayo for 30+ years and the changes in patient care are saddening.

  - Erin

• November 6, 2010 7:02 p.m.

  I am in desperate need of a navigator at the Rochester,Mn. I was under the impression that Mayo still worked under the "Team Treatment" philosophy. What has become a frustration boiled over for me on my last visit. I was seeing a sleep specialist that was set up thru my puliminary specialist who had been set up thru my oncologist (which I have seen 4? of in 15 mos.) For the first time I was prepared with ?' and concerns. I noted new symptoms I was facing what was happening in my life at occurence, extent of pain, type of pain, breathing issues, cancer concerns etc. Before I could finish my first comment I was interupted and told our appt. just concerned the sleep issue. He went on to say I was having difficulty sleeping because my toungue was to large i needed a CPAP ? machine and I drank to much Some how he interpeted my two drinks a night to 8-10 ? I have never seen him before and he asked no ?'s except why did my husband and I have seperate bedrooms. Then on top of that to humiliate me further when his nurse tried to schedule the sleep study I had to have it cleared by the business office. My last statement showed a 203.13 credit and I WAS paying $150.00 a month toward an old debt. Do I have to 10 different Dr.s (all needing a referral) over a period of what would probably be months to get Questions answered? I have Thymic Carcinoma a very rare and mostly terminal cancer. why am I only now finding out you have an oncologist that sees Thymoma patients?

  - Erin

• June 11, 2010 3:51 p.m.

  Good advice, having others to help guide you during this confusing and overwhelming process can't be overstated. In addition to the personal touch, there are a number of online cancer resources that can empower cancer patients to get the best care.

  - Katie

• February 15, 2010 1:52 p.m.

  Recently I received a letter from my family doctor and it said that I have lowgrade urothelial carcinoma diagnosed from my urine test. He suggested that I should have a biopsy of my bladder and other urine systems. Could it just be a false-positive result?

  - Kjersten

• January 29, 2010 2:17 p.m.

  Brad, I'm sorry to hear about your lump. As an expert, your doctor will be able to best address your concerns. I'm hoping that all goes well with your visit. Take care,

  - Nicole

• January 28, 2010 12:36 a.m.

  A few weeks ago I went to my normal doctor because I had a small (pencil eraser) sized lump above my left nipple. I am only 25 years old and I am a male so I figured it would be nothing. He told me it seemed like an ingrown hair or a zit. He didn't take much time to look at it but I believed him. About a week later I decided that I would try to pop it if it was indeed a zit. I tried as hard as I could and it just got more and more painful. It has now grown to the size of a quarter and my skin is red around the area (this is Jan 27th, I tried popping it on the 15th) I know the redness isn't from trying to pop it and I am now scared as hell. I am in college studying for a masters and don't need this thrown in the mix. Any ideas on what it could be? I am going to an oncologist tomorrow but I can't sleep. I have class at 9:35 and think I will skip it to get this figured out. If it is cancer I am going to be a little upset with my doctor for not taking the time to look into the lump more.

  - Brad

• January 22, 2010 5:18 a.m.

  Patient Navigators are definitly angels! We live in a rural area and when we had to drive over 100 miles for my tests, Dr. visits, and treatments, she was right there finding transportation and lodging for my husband and I. I've been on this journey for two years now, and whenever we've needed them they were right there. Thank you to ACS and our angels.

  - Faye

• January 22, 2010 2:04 a.m.

  I HAD PROSTATE CANCE IN 2005 THE NUMBERS 7 AND NOW IN 2010 IT IS BACK TO 2.04?

  - EUGENE