Be honest, candid, don't say too much, just answer their questions. If they seem waay off base, then ASK the basic DUMB questions I'm sure you've been asking yourself for ages...the 'what abouts?' And let them do their thing. IF at any point along the way, YOU don't feel things are on track the way your gut instinct tells you they should be going...well ask about it.
Good roads and weather for the 'duration'. I for one don't think I could stand that kind of cold! BURRRR!
I am gonna keep the faith that YOU can go and get it all done that needs to be done as it SHOULD be done. And yep, you will probably be too tired to tell us too much while you are there, or, even after you are back. BUT, know that many/most of us are gonna want to know EVERYTHING! After all, it could be OUR turn next?

So for now: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'s - j

Sending you very good thoughts and strength for the trip - the tests - etc... you know you'll be seeing some great docs - and hope they can really pinpoint all that is going on - and give you some relief...

Try to stay warm - sounds like your are incredibly organized - and keep us updated if you can

You are so lucky to be going to Mayo!! And you sound very focused and very much in control. At least you will have gone to the top guys in the country. I hope that this trip will be one of the most valuable and informative experiences you can have...one that will give you more answers than you currently have. And it’s great to have someone with you who can listen and ask questions that you might not think of. Of course we’ll all be waiting to hear everything. Once again, best of luck. You'll be in my thoughts.

I am so impressed with how prepared you are! I am sure that will be a huge help and things will go fine. I will be eager to hear how things went when you finish. My best wishes are going with you. I know exactly where your apprehensions come from.... Going to new doctors makes me crazy. but you have it altogether.

Hi! Thanks for all the replies! Been busy with a dentist visit, getting the dog stocked up on his meds, talking to the dog sitter (got a special needs pup), and going to an early birthday/anniversary party. My huband's birthday and our anniversary will be Wednesday, but we'll be gone then, so my in-laws invited us over tonight.

The medical insurance denied my appeal for in-network coverage. They claim the Sioux Falls rheumatologist are more than equipped to treat Sjogren's, so they'll only cover the local docs. Phooey.

Called Mayo's records department to make sure the original slides of my lip biopsy had made it there. Not only have they gotten them, they have already been analyzed, so they'll be ready to discuss it with me Monday morning. Their efficiency is encouraging.

About my meds: I did of my own accord stop taking fish oil and Meloxicam a few days ago, not because I was concerned about test results, but because they can thin the blood, and I don't want to experience excessive bleeding should I require any biopsies. I am going to ask them whether anything I've been on can affect test results because I've been taking immuno-suppressants for four years along with meds for dry eye and dry mouth. But you would think they'd expect someone with autoimmune disease to be on these types of meds anyway.

Oh, I just remembered: I was told to not take ANY meds, including diabetes or thyroid meds, the morning of the appointment or at anytime in the preceeding 12 hours. But I can take them again as soon as I get the go-ahead. I'm gonna drink a Boost as soon as I get the go-ahead too so I can quell the nausea that I get when fasting.

One of the things that makes me nervous about going to doctors is that my mind tends to go blank at the worst possible time, like, mid-sentence. I will be asked for an example of something and I won't be able to think of it. But I think with having everything written out already I should be able to avoid some of that, and I might bring my husband with me to the initial appointment to help me talk to the doc if they'll allow it.

I will try and think of myself as some sort of pioneer or explorer, going adventuring through the winter wonderland that is Minnesota. And I will try to report back as soon as I am able to type a coherent sentence after getting home.

fanfaire,
dashing through the snow

fanfaire,
Not only can your husband go to the appts with you, he should. They let my husband go to every appt. I was so stressed with the whole situation it was great having him there. I hope you can have him there as much as possible.

Billye

Woke up this morning to at least six inches of new snow outside. My husband is trying to get it shoveled so the pet sitter will have a path to the front door.

Rochester's weather is about the same: three inches of snow today. Luckily, I think this whole storm system should be on its way out by tomorrow morning.

When I finally get all the packing done (some things always have to wait until last because you need them ), I'm going to reward myself by watching a movie. I've got "Pursuit of Happyness" from Netflix.

About 20 hours and counting!

fanfaire

WONDERFUL travel weather! Clear sailing and all that! Stress free to boot! Gee, what else can be said other than truly stupid platitudes?

Just knock 'em dead with all your peculiarities! There go get them thar docs's brains engaged! Can't wish for much more than that.

Gentle, warm, insulating hugs and fuzzies to you for the 'duration'! - j

Fainfaire

Give us a sign!! Are you stuck in the ice storm? Have you had any news??

Hi! I'm here, just feeling too horrible to post much. The ice storm missed South Dakota, and we left Rochester early enough to get most of the way home before the snowstorm hit.

Have some details of my trip in the post called "Fanfaire?", and I'll try to update when my pain and exhaustion get a little more tolerable. Right now, I'm too out of it to think straight.

fanfaire