Deflection

William Worrall Mayo born in 1919 described as an English Immigrant and country doctor, and I have seen photos of him with his horse and buggy. Dr. Mayo always saw his patents in a suit. When William James Mayo (Dr. Will) and Charles Horace Mayo (Dr. Charlie) became surgeons, they kept their farther legacy and wore suit to see their patients. When they hired doctors to join their medical practice, they pass the business dress. down to their doctors. This legacy has continued in to today’s Mayo Clinic environment, since every doctor wears busness dress. The women doctors also wear business dress. At Mayo Clinic, their business is medicine. When I meet the surgeon for the pre operation, he was in a doctor’s white coat. Although this was the first time that I saw a Mayo Doctor in a white cost, it looked brand new, so obviously he has not worn it much over his years of practice. As for my appointments with the Mayo doctors. I feel that I need to meet them half way, so I dress business casual just as I did when I would spend a whole day in the office and attend meetings at work, and the doctors have taken notice. My psychiatrist all notes that I look sharp in her notes about my care.

When I went to my pre operation appointment, the doctor soon understood my background with the questions that I was asking him. Therefore, I told him that I was an engineer. He stated that he needed to get me photos that I assumed would be from my operations. And, sure enough, he came in the room about noon today, and, after our introductions, he opened the computer in the room. He located three photos that he took during my operation, and, since he is an Associate Professor of Surgery, he stated lecturing me about my operation. He stated that on my right side he spent an hour removing the scar tissue from my abscessed appendices operation wound 1990, and then he showed me the hole in my right muscle wall where my bladder was trying to push through the wall. Then he want on to describe how he repaired the muscle wall. Although he installed a fabric over the repair, he did not have a photo of the mesh. He stated that he looked for the hernia that he thought was on my left side, but there was no hernia. He did repair the hernia in my belly bottom, and he kept my belly button. (I had a grand uncle that had an operation where they removed his belly bottom. Although I have no idea what type of surgery that he had, but his missing belly button was always a fascination to kids.)

This is a big advantage going to the Mayo Clinic. With the number of doctors that are professors, they are willing to take the time to explain a person medical situation. As for me, I see it this way: I do not go to the Mayo Clinic to see a doctor, I go to the Mayo Clinic to learn about my medical needs.

Impressions are everything. When I walk into an appointment is business dress and I have a fond interest in medicine, the doctors do that notice. I have also spent time studying medicine through courses from the Teaching Company. Along with my master’s degree and my studies of medicine, I have good in-depth conversations with the doctors. As can be seen with this surgeon, they are ready to educate those that are willing to learn. As for me, it is a great feeling.

One thing that I have not mentioned is that my surgeon is a black fellow with a sense of humor. He came in on the pre operation appointment, and he stated talking about where I was from. The conversation turned to the fact that we were both at the Oshkosh Air Show, since he was there with his fourteen-year-old son. With everything in our society turning to race, this doctor prove that minority can raise above the social persures. This was amazing to see. As for me, he put me at ease for the operation.

The medical staff was great, since they had the time to spend with me. They also had the time for conversations. They knew their areas of expertise. The food was good. The Mayo Clinic experience out shines other hospitals, like St. Lukes in Milwaukee where the nurses were not well trained, if you could find one, and sometimes their attitude was not always good. As for being in the hospital today, laughter could be heard from time to time, there was a sense of caring, and they were there for their patients. It was an awesome feeling.

I have to state that good friend of mine from Ames came up here yesterday spend time with me. It is great to have friend like them.. When I was in the hospital for nine days with my abscessed appendix, Jim came into the hospital every evening to spent time with me. Yesterday, when I was waiting for my turn in the operating room, Jim and Deb gave me great comfort before the operation. They are true fiends.

I was released from the hospital today. Although I had a hard time sleeping last night, I have been alert today, and I have walked 1.7 miles. They tell me the more that I move the faster I will heal. If I stay still, I am in almost no pain. Movements do bring on pain. My abdomen is sore, and I have pain killers and muscle relaxers to help with the pain. There is an incision just above my belt buckle that can be painful, so I have to keep a loose belt. Riding does not seem to be a problem. Therefore, I feel that I can drive easily tomorrow.

Roger