Rochester, MN here we come...

[Gnusgal]

Okay, so I'm heading to Rochester, MN on Sunday for my trip to the Mayo. Anyone know of any good restaurants within walking distance of the Mayo/Day's Inn (where we'll be staying)? How about any fun afternoon/evening activities? Or should we pretty much expect to eat at the Mayo Cafeteria and sit in our hotel room all day?

I am SO not looking forward to this... Mostly because I have NO idea what to expect. The tests aren't what scare me. It's what the doc will say once she looks at the results... I FEEL like I'm doing pretty well right now, but my test results in August took us by surprise, so who knows what these results will be. Also, I'm HOPING she'll go ahead and decide to put in the biventricular pacer, so I can get the surgery over with. But at this point I have no idea if that will happen or if I'll be coming home on Thursday no different than before I left. Surely SOMETHING will come out of this visit, right?

Okay, I'll stop babbling. Can you tell I'm getting nervous and obsessed?

 

[Debster]

Hi! I am not sure how close this is to the Days Inn-but there is a wonderful place to eat across the street from one of the clinics called the Canadian Honker...very good food! BTW_the Mayo took GREAT care of my dad 2 years ago when he was there for leukemia..good luck and great wishes headed your way Deb

 

[Ross]

Take your snow plow with you. You just might need it.

 

[Nan]

Hi Nikki,

You are absolutely entitled to be nervous about impending tests and their results! Why wouldn't you be? The unknown is generally a little bit frightening.

Sounds like you are making plans to try and make this "outing" as much of a holiday as possible. That's the way to go. Find stuff to do and good places to eat and concentrate on that. There should be a website for Rochester Chamber of commerce or something similar that might list events and eateries etc.

Look forward to hearing how you make out.

 

[Phyllis]

Best wishes for a good trip and all positive results, Nikki. We'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[Gnusgal]

Take your snow plow with you. You just might need it.

Yes. I noticed. And I'm VERY not happy! I live in the south for a reason... I don't think I've ever been in less than 20 degree weather. At least,not that I recall. And today I looked at the weather and it said it was 8 degrees in Rochester!! Forget the tests, now I'm afraid of the cold!

 

[weekycat]

Hey Nikki,
I found you the extended forecast for Rochester for the time you will be there.
I know you'd prefer at least 60 degrees, but highs in the 40's are really not bad for March in MN. Trust me, right now it is a whopping 12 degrees there!


Mar 11 Sunday
More clouds than sun. Highs in the low 40s and lows in the low 30s.

Mar 12 Monday
Clouds giving way to sun . Highs in the low 40s and lows in the low 30s.

Mar 13 Tuesday
Occasional showers possible. Highs in the mid 40s and lows in the mid 30s.

Mar 14 Wednesday Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the upper 30s and lows in the upper 20s.

Mar 15 Thursday
Partly cloudy. Highs in the low 40s and lows in the low 30s.

I'm not sure about Restaurants within walking distance, but we went to The Golden Corral Buffet, which is about 4 miles north of there after visiting Jackie a few weeks ago. That probably doesn't excite you since I think there are a lot of them in TX...however it is the ONLY one in MN, and was one of the reasons I was able to talk my hubby into driving us down there!

Maybe Jackie (The Art Den Lady) will chime in here...I'm sure her husband must know every restaurant within walking distance. He and their daughter hung out at the Mayo for almost 3weeks while Jackie was hospitalized.

Good luck, Kiddo...keep in touch.

 

[Sagebrush]

Congrats!!!

Congrats!!!

Hey Nikki,
I am so glad you are going there. Do you know which Dr. you are going to see? They will take such good care of you and they are all really nice. Usually the tests last all day and all you have time is to go to the cafeteria and it is pretty good. My most favorite place is Mac's restaurant, right across from Barnes and Noble. It is authentic Greek and is soooooo good!!! I have been going there to Rochester about 5 or 6 times. Good Luck!!! Let me know if you have any questions.
Good Luck!!!

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Nikki!

Since I have never been to Rochester......can't offer suggestions on places to eat.

Wanted to wish you well. Have a very safe and uneventful trip!

Take care Stay warm

 

[Karlynn]

Nikki, I wish you well on your trip. Please keep us posted!

 

[WayneGM]

I've never been there so can't help you with the restaurants. Just wanted to wish you a safe trip and good luck with the tests.

 

[Gnusgal]

Hey Nikki,
I am so glad you are going there. Do you know which Dr. you are going to see? They will take such good care of you and they are all really nice. Usually the tests last all day and all you have time is to go to the cafeteria and it is pretty good. My most favorite place is Mac's restaurant, right across from Barnes and Noble. It is authentic Greek and is soooooo good!!! I have been going there to Rochester about 5 or 6 times. Good Luck!!! Let me know if you have any questions.
Good Luck!!!

I'll be seeing Dr. Sebrina Phillips. I have actually seen her a couple of times when she was here in Texas two years ago, but this will be my first time visiting Mayo. From everything I hear, they're like a well oiled machine. I'm just worried because it seems like everyone I know who's gone off to get an opinion from the Mayo has found out they're way worse off than they thought they were. As a matter of fact, when I saw Dr. Phillips two years ago, the news she gave was quite a shock (transplant probably within 5-10 years). I'm kind of hoping they'll decide to put in a biventricular pacer (or defib) while I'm there for two reasons: 1. I've heard they can take people off the transplant list (though that refers to people with aquired heart disease), and 2. I will be well recovered by the time my nephew is born at the end of May. But at the same time, who wants to face surgery, right? I know it will happen at some point this year, but I wish it didn't have to...

Enough rambling... Off to my meeting. Thanks everyone for the suggestions and words of encouragement (and weather update. ).

 

[Peggy in Alaska]

Restaurants

Restaurants

Good luck on your visit to the Mayo.

I have to say Mac's has the best down home breakfasts in Rochester. And I did have a greek style omelet that was sooo Yummy! Almost makes me want to go for a check-up.

Also, Michael's Restaurant is good - older style dining room - steak, baked potato, lobster, bad-for-you appetizers. lots of celebrities photos on the walls that have been at the restaurant - it's fun to go in and just look at the pictures.

Victoria's Italian Cuisine for Italian - excellent!

For fine dining white tablecloth dining - try Chardonnay - pricey but very good - it is set in what used to be a house - very nice.

Can you tell my husband and I like to eat?!


Peggy

 

[EVELYN]

Good Luck, Niki

I'll be praying for you!!!! Have fun and eat out lots.

Ev

 

[Gnusgal]

Can you tell my husband and I like to eat?!

Hey! I'm right there with you! Didn't you notice that was the first thing I asked about? Seems like one meal is hardly over before I start planning what I'm going to have for the next. I figure if I'm going to have to go to the Mayo, I might as well try and find SOMETHING to enjoy while I'm there, and food is usually the best bet. Who wants to have the same ol' thing you can have at home?

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I think Victoria's may have been the suggestion my uncle had (he goes up there frequently for IBM). I think it should be fairly close to where we're staying. And I'll have to look into the others. The way I figure it, we'll need to eat at least 10 times while we're there. Granted, some of that may have to be from the cafeteria or the hotel, but surely we can eat out half of those times.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Good Luck Nikki......I'am routing for you and you know your in my prayers

Good Luck Nikki......I'am routing for you and you know your in my prayers

I just wanted to chime in and say I hope and pray everything goes really well for you Nikki...I haven't been on as much as my grandmother is expected to pass on within the next month, so I have been trying my best to deal with it. Please know though that I am routing for you every step of the way and pray for nothing but the best for you (((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))) Harrybaby

 

[Guest]

Dearest Niki,

I hear ya about not looking forward to it ... been there, done that a few times myself, as I'm bettin' we all have.

Your hubby is going with you, right?


And, of course, I'm sure you already know this ... but, thoughts/prayers coming your way.......



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"The tide's gonna turn & it's all gonna roll your way" ... Dolly Parton ... '9 to 5'

 

[joy]

restaraunts.....

restaraunts.....

Hey Nikki, I grew up in Rochester, and one of my favorite restaurants was Victoria's. It is SO good! I miss the snowy days in MN, I hate it here where it doesn't snow. It's a different kind of cold, here it chills you to the bone, no matter what you are wearing, in MN, it makes you cold quick, then you warm up. My father in law is a surgical tech at st. Mary's. They will take good care of you there.

More restaurants...
McKormicks
Micheals
Meadows


That's all I can remember right now, it's been a long time since I have lived there.

 

[Natanni]

The Canadian Honker right across from the St Mary's hospital was excellent, and had a great blues band playing on Sat evening...but it was very low key.

Wishing you all the best.....

 

[Gnusgal]

Your hubby is going with you, right?

Yup. He's coming too. Good thing. I feel like I haven't seen him in weeks. Mostly because he's been working his butt off so he doesn't have to take vacation time to go with me. If I stay for surgery he may have to, but at least for now he's worked enough hours in this pay period to not worry about the trip. It's good he's able to do that, though he may be so dead he'll sleep the entire trip!

Everyone, thank you so much for your suggestions and support. You're the best. It always makes me feel better when I log on and see your smiling faces--- er, avatars.