Over the course of two months we tried three times to get accepted to Mayo Clinic. Our doctors prepared all the paperwork and presented copies of test results from the past year.

My case was turned down twice.

It takes three strikes for a strike out and the third try resulted in an accepted application and a three month wait. That meant a visit to Rochester, Minnesota in mid-January to possibly mid-February.

We planned for three weeks. It didn’t take that long.

Mayo Clinic is a very special place. The entire medical facility seems to take up most of downtown Rochester. Most Mayo Clinic buildings are connected by the Subway.

No sandwiches. No cars.

It’s an underground, mostly carpeted, and well insulated walkway between many downtown buildings. Appointments are scheduled and required tests are conducted almost immediately.

Even before we arrived I had tests scheduled for an electromyography (EMG), pulmonology, and autonomic reflex screen. Those set the stage for an ongoing diagnosis.

Most people have never been to a medical facility similar to Mayo Clinic. Every staff member was polite and friendly, willing and eager to help patients. We stayed at a nearby hotel and used a shuttle buss to arrive. Wheelchairs were everywhere. By then, walking had become difficult so my wife did the pushing, but the Clinic will help patients move to any part of the facility.

Free. No tips.

The first day appoint was at 6:45 am. The view from the 18th floor of the Mayo building was a sunrise; dark blue skies with an amber orange glow at the horizon as the sun rose.

Beautiful.

Also 1-degree outside.

That was the high temperature for the day. It only went down from there.