Need to go to hospital, can't get there. Fed up with no help

[Notwavingbutdrowningalone]

I had ankle and foot fusions and a leg broken and pinned a week ago today.

I'm in a backslab plaster (plaster round back of leg, bandage over wounds to allow for swelling. Supposed to changed to a full plaster next Friday.

However, I've been given an appointment for Tuesday as he wants to see me sooner and it's "very important" I attend.

The appointment is also in a town 18 miles away, instead of my home one.

I can't attend. DH is working that day, having used leave for the op. Only dsis drives, but she doesn't want to do it

Clearly I can't get a bus and a taxi is too expensive, besides I am very, very wobbly on crutches and would need to transfer to a wheelchair.
I've spoken to the doctor's secretary who told me to phone the clinic, which I did in tears. The soonest appointment is December, far too late for bandage and stitches to be left.

I wanted to cancel the surgery, I knew it would be hard, yet family and friends convinced me, saying they would help...lying fuckers.

I'm just so down, alone and helpless.

You will definitely be able to get hospital transport if you ask! However if it were me, I'd be asking DH to take a couple of hours off to help you.

If she can't afford a taxi he probably can't afford unpaid leave

I don't normally approve of taking sickies, but maybe he could throw a sickie, or would he not get paid for this either?

Could a friend take you? If not practice on the crutches and get a taxi if DH can't get the time off work. We don't do the whole OH has to go to every appointment.

I know this might make me sound like a dickhead, but do you have health insurance? Often you can claim taxi fees back.

Some have volunteer services not just for hospital.

DH will have to take time off work.
Does his employer allow “family” days off? We are allowed 5 a year for illness, funerals that sort of thing.

That's ridiculous someone HAS to take you - you need follow up.
Why won't your sister take you? Your husband should be taking a sickie.

Or, the other thing to consider is what time is the appointment. Could DH do either there or back (depending if its morning or afternoon); you wait for a bit and then get taxi the other way?

Have you sent a plea out on village groups etc? Or to wider friends and family? There must be someone who could take you. I would do it for someone I didn't know well.

Alternatively post the town & hosp and maybe some kind MNer will volunteer

Your sister won't take you??!
Bloody hell. I would take a neighbour if they asked.

Maybe her DH can't take time off ? Not everyone can.

Are you on social media? Try a local FB page if you are?

I'd shame your family too at the same time saying you're stuck with no help.

Why doesn't your sister want to do it? Maybe she thinks your husband should?

So options:

1. Look if your hospital has a league of friends. Reach out to them and see if they have volunteers who bring people in.
2. Contact your local Red Cross branch - again for volunteer who will drive you to hospital.
3. Are you on a local FB group? I guarantee in this situation someone on our local village one would offer to help.
4. Do you have a church near by? Again call the vicar and see if parishioner could help with lift?
5. Could you DH take you before work and pick you up in lunch time/after? I know it might be a long day, but you could sit in a hospital cafe.
6. Could you ask your sister to do one way and then get your DH to do the other.

To say a taxi is too expensive - but you haven't said you cannot afford to do it so seems like this is the option left.

Well I hope your sister never finds herself needing help!

I'm sympathetic OP but just get a taxi. Yes it's expensive but two taxis are going to cost a lot less than a day of lost wages for either your DH or your sister.

Hospital transport service? Are there any local schemes for voluntary drivers in your area?

Then You go prepared with a book and something to eat or drink.

OP have you actually asked anyone for help or is it that no one’s come out and offered?

This.

If I were free, I would do this for someone who needed help. Doesn't need to be particularly close.

Try hospital transport first. It's very short notice - so maybe no help there. But your health is THE most important thing. Could your OH drop you off at the hospital on his way to work and pick you up after he has finished work? Yes, a very long day but at least you would get seen. Alternatively if he REALLY can't get time off work ( maybe make up the hours over the next few days) You will simply HAVE to afford a taxi - at least to get there in time one way - and hang around until someone can come and collect you later

Try not to stress. You need to keep this appointment and that is all there is to it

This. The op has not said that she cannot afford a taxi there. I would call the hospital to find out about patient transport.

My dad used to volunteer, driving people to and from doctor's and hospital appts who didn't have transport so there might be something available. Although, it was more elderly/vulnerable people he helped and as you have a husband who drives you might not be in luck. There must be some way he can take you and make the hours up/take it as unpaid?

You're probably feeling low and exhausted from being in pain which will make you more emotional and fed up but You need to get assertive op. Either your sister or your husband have to help out. Hospital transport isn't there for people who have relatives who can help but can't be bothered. It's for people who genuinely have no one else that can help or for people who have mobility issues/can't get in a normal size car.

Why won't your sister do it?