AIBU to attend this appointment? Or should I reschedule?

[INeedAMagic8Ball]

I am absolutely terrible at making decisions. Useless. Please help me MNers you are usually always right

Background. Earlier this year I was being investigated for a shoulder problem. I had scans etc and the last appt they said I would need an op and the consultant would discuss with me. Due to lockdown/shielding it was postponed. I now have an appointment with the consultant (letter last Friday, appt today).

This is good. My shoulder is fucking killing me and feels unstable (original problem was I dislocated it twice and put it back in myself (I've already been told off for this)

The problem is my DD just pointed out due to the time of the appt the bus is going to be crammed full of school children (and a lot don't wear masks). We live in a local lockdown area with high rates and I'm in the shielding/CEV criteria.

Possibly really fucking stupid to go. BUT my shoulder has been hurting so much for ages and is stopping me doing a lot of stuff plus I worry about it dislocating again which would be a bigger op apparently.

I can't get a taxi (far too expensive due to location, no one else can drive me, DH absolutely cannot drive me, new job after months out of work (ironically after breaking a bone himself!) I can't drive myself as I'm epileptic - hence the fucked shoulder and future risk. They will need to see me, not a phone appt, as I'll need to swing my arm around for them

Attend or postpone oh wise sensible Mners?

If anyone doesn't RTFT properly and advises me to learn to drive I'll tell you to fuck off, just saying

Just catch the earlier bus and take a book for the other end.

Use a thick scarf over your nose and mouth to help warm air going into your lungs when you are waiting the other end.

I have asthma and the cold air hitting my lungs can trigger an attack so I understand. The scarf trick does work. Test it out tomorrow morning in your garden.

I also do have a lot of masks and a warm coat and boots and a gigantic scarf (doesn't stop me coughing though and people being dicks about it, I've had another thread about that)

I wish I could drive myself. Gah.

Have a look in your local area for any charities which provide transport. I'm not sure who exactly they would be but I know in my area when lockdown happened there were lots of adverts for people who could help to drive vulnerable people to and from hospital or to various locations (like shopping) so they didn't have to use public transport. There may be something like that available near you.

You should definitely go, your shoulder won't get better on it's own, if you cancel who knows how long you will have to wait for a new appointment and it's too late for the appointment to be offered to anyone else which would be a waste.

Do you have no family or friends who could perhaps drive you? I'd phone the hospital asap to see if there are any cancellations at different times.

Are there any libraries open nearby? You could go in one and sit and read for a bit. It probably wouldn't be that busy.

Tell them you need an appt that isn't in 'school run' hours owing to your existing illnesses. Ask for a later appt when kids aren't on the bus.

You need to go. Please don't leave it, it sounds miserable. We don't know how the next few months are going to shape up, take the chance and go now.

Wear a mask, sit near the door of the bus, open a window if there is one, sanitise your hands as soon as you get on and as soon as you get off.

Can you get on a stop before the school kids so you can get a good seat?

You have enough damage to your shoulder, that you require an operation for. I would go for that appointment.

An update! I rang the booking line and they have booked me in next week for a morning appointment They will ring someone and offer my slot today elsewhere. They are lovely.

Also, my DD was told she would has to wait eight months for an urgent op due to backed up waiting lists, but was on the cancellation list and got one in three weeks. So I'm hoping some other person with a bad shoulder or knee etc will be offered my today appointment and be thrilled.

That’s a shame re the arrangements at the hospital. I had an appointment at my local hospital last week and the reception area was open with people sitting/waiting and the cafe was open too. The only difference was sanitiser on the way in and out.

I was dreading it and was thinking of reasons to cancel so I understand how you feel but now it’s over I’m glad I went.

And hopefully DH's shifts may allow him to drive me - fingers crossed.

Thank you everyone for replying. I shall look forward to 8 million people not RTFT and telling me to go

As well as asking about patient transport, talk to pals about whether they have volunteer transport, check with your local churches or community groups. I've definitely seen recruiting stuff for helping people in your position and seriously considered doing it myself. I hope you find a more reasonable way to get there.

Even asking outpatients if you can gave permission for an earlier arrival could be worth a try!

Ah, crosspost! Great news.

I guess I've waited so long, another week won't matter! Another drip feed is that I have quite a high pain threshold (hence putting my shoulder back in myself and making it worse )

I'd go, some people are desperate for hospital appointments for chronic pain conditions but are unable to be seen due to the back log from covid. You are so lucky to have an appointment.

Oops just seen you've sorted it
Hope everything gets sorted!

I think you've done the right thing OP. If you can't get a lift, is there a coronavirus community group in your area? Ask there and someone might be able to give you a lift. Hope it goes well next week.

Could you phone hospital transport to see if they have any volunteers to drive you? There maybe a minimal cost? As you were shielding and in the vulnerable category you may be eligible? Sorry if this has been mentioned before I haven't read through all the comments.

@INeedAMagic8Ball

And hopefully DH's shifts may allow him to drive me - fingers crossed.

Thank you everyone for replying. I shall look forward to 8 million people not RTFT and telling me to go

and another 8 million telling you to learn to drive or that you should have arranged transport weeks and weeks ago!

op I've read til the end so I'm not going to give you advice (cancel the cheque ). I'm just glad you've got it sorted.

My shoulder is fucking killing me and feels unstable
Obviously it isn't hurting you enough otherwise it would be a clear-cut decision.

If it is, either get on a bus at the time you would need to, with your mask on and sit away from others or go early, take your phone and find somewhere to sit and go on MN while waiting to go in. Simple.

@moocowmrs

Do you have a friend that could take you if you both wear masks and you sit in the back opposite.
The OP has stated they are in a local lockdown area so they shouldn't ask someone else to break rules. They are not allowed to mix households.

Glad you got sorted op

Also where do you live that 4 degrees ( misses point )

Oh no, I'm guilty of not rtft to the end. Oops.

Glad you are sorted OP.

Go really early and sit in the waiting room or cafe. Put a window open on the bus and wear a good mask.