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Getting To Appointments


potsgirl

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I am going through a down period where I really know I shouldn't be driving, so I'm having to cancel a lot of appointments that I need to go to. I'm getting so frustrated because these are dental and doctor appointments I really need to go to, and when I make the appointments I'm always hopeful and think I can make it, but then the day before or the day of I simply can't get out of the house. I know it must be annoying for me to call and reschedule all the time - I've now rescheduled a hair appointment 6 times, a dental one 4, gastro 5 - but I don't know what else to do.

We live in an area of Tucson where cab service doesn't come, and my partner works and can't take me during the week. He's a teacher, so I try to take care of most of my appointments when he's off on break, but not everything fits tidily into those time periods. I'm just very depressed because I value what independence I do have, and it seems to keep shrinking.

Thanks for letting me vent!

Cheers,

Jana

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Even WITH people to drive and help me I still miss soo many appointments because I can not depend on my body on any particular day.

So sorry about no cab service. Is there a senior center near by that knows about other transport options. Any friends you can coordinate with? Perhaps a college student who wouldn't mind a few extra bucks?

Try to make things as easy as possible for yourself, and setting up some help for the drive in advance.

Good luck.

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Yes, I hear you! And I can also relate to Earth Mother's state -- my husband has finally given up trying to take one day off and schedule 2 or 3 appointments in it... I can only make one. (It's so lame to call a doctor's office and say you're too sick to make it... But I had to on a few occasions till we learned that lesson). I've also found I can't take cabs on many days because overtired = giving cab drivers bad directions. I called to have a cab pick me up at a doctor's visit, and after 50 minutes had to call back sheepishly and say, "Did I give you the right address?" They knew I hadn't at that point... The cab driver discovered the street number I gave him didn't exist.

It's hard, and it's weird cause doctors don't always get it. I had to cancel two GP appts. in a row because she wanted to take time with me and scheduled me last in the day... 7:20 at night. I was asleep by then -- it's always a toss up with me at night. Then she said I looked better at the last appointment, and I'm just thinking -- why? Because I actually managed to show up? :rolleyes:

It's hard to plan anything. My mom asked if I would make it to some family gathering in three weeks... And it's like, I have no clue. You're literally going to need to ask me five minutes before we ought to go...

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Jana,

I am so sorry you are going thru this. You are always such an insirpation of hope to those on this forum. I know loosing our independence really stinks to put it mildly!! :rolleyes: I am right there with you sister on many days...altho, I am very lucky that I still drive and if I know well enough in advance I can usually make sure I am rested enough to get there...altho not always.

This feeling will pass...you are loved here and you can really only do what you can do. Hang in there.

Erika

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I know what you're going through. I'm behind with dental, eye & dr appt's. There are no cabs where I live & it's at least an hours drive to a decent hospital & no one available to drive. I always feel guilty when DH needs me to drive him & I can't do it. Be patient & hopefully you will be back driving in no time. Trouble is the day I could drive I don't have an app't.

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I can relate to what your going through. My husband isn't able to take off a lot off time from work so I try to save the really big appointments, GI, cardiologists and other specialists for when he can take me. I'm on my own for other appointments such as hair, PCP and dentist etc.... I end up cancelling and rescheduling a lot and it's very frustrating. I'm constantly stressed when I know I have upcoming appointments because I never know if I'll be able to get myself there.

I'm thinking of changing dentists because it seems mine isn't willing to work around my illness. He filled a tooth last week and I just got a new mouth guard as well. I'm experiencing a lot of pain and I'm not sure if it's because of the tooth he filled or if the mouth guard is causing problems. I called this morning and they can take me at 11.00 tomorow morning. I asked if he can see me earlier because there's a better chance I can get myself there if the appointment is first thing in the morning. I explained about the health issues ( for the 50th time) but it didn't seem to matter. I've gone to this guy for the past 17 years...I'm sure he could squeeze me in earlier if he cared enough..

LOL....the only one who always works around me is my hair stylsit. She'll come to my home if I can't make it in to the salon. :blink:

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I bet my doctor hates me---I've cancelled every morning appointment I've had with her for the past 2 years. I bet every time she sees that I've scheduled a "10am", she doesn't count on really seeing me. It's embarrassing.

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The thing my (docs and dentists) have a hard time with is that I don't know how I'm going to feel until I wake up in the morning . They assume if I already know I'm not feeling well I can just cancel the day before. They don't get that some days are better than others.

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Well I am very sorry to hear that you are having a "down period", I as most of us can definatley relate... I hope you feel better soon and hope you at least have understanding docs. I had a doc wanna drop me as a patient due to a few cancellations.....

V :)

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