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

For future journeys op, have you got an n95 mask? I bought some online. They're the kind commonly used in hospitals. They are better than most masks for protecting the wearer. I use mine when I'm going on busy public transport, and throw it away after around 8 hours use. For less busy places, I use my washable masks.

Have you asked the hospital if they have patient transport? Give them a call see what they suggest thus must be quite common

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.

How do you sit awayf om others in a bus packed full of school children? Getting on earlier than them doesn't make a difference, and we keep being told that masks protect others more than they protect the wearer.

And OP has said it's 4 degrees where she is. Brr.

Drive

Get a bike

Go early

Just wear a mask

Nah! I’m only taking the piss, OP, I’ve read the thread. 😁 I’m delighted you’ve got it sorted. I had a frozen shoulder for a year and it still gives me bother. I can’t imagine the pain you’re in and I hope you’re ankle to finally get it sorted.

Oh that's great op, to cancel an opa and get another one the week later is unheard of, so well done! Next time though just book patient transport as soon as you get the opa letter.

for future use - many areas do have volunteer drivers (issue may be affected by covid!) gp's may have link/council/PALS at hospital or council website or local volunteers group (at local council?) do a web search op

Haha love the NRTFT replies

I shall have a look at N95 masks, I live in an area where there are so many masks abandoned in the hedges and in the gutters and on the pavement (they're the new shopping trolleys) that I have only used reusable ones myself as the waste and rubbish infuriate me. Needs must and all though.

(You can tell why I'm reluctant to get on the bus in my lovely area in addition to the maskless people and people that abuse you for coughing, when the buses turn up of course. Also sometimes if they turn up they just drive past your stop when they're full and they're only every hour)

Are you on the ‘Nextdoor’ app? It’s really good for those that need a bit of help as they have volunteers on there. Naturally, you’ll have concerns about sharing a car with someone, but if you explain that you’re vulnerable and ask if they’d mind wearing a mask and keeping the windows down. You also sit in the back seat, obviously. Just for any future needs. They also do volunteer shopping. One of them was more than happy to collect my gas card, get it topped up and drop it back, during the night of the pandemic. Very helpful.

I'm hoping DH will be able to drive me 🤞🏻

They are great about rearranging, I don't know if it's because I have a note on my records? I had a bit of a nightmare a while back when I had a course of physio appointments but missed a few due to seizures, I always rang afterwards to apologise and explain but once the booking clerk(?) was an absolute bellend (and made me cry ) and the physiotherapist was furious about it when I next saw her, and got my records amended. So maybe they're so good because of that. I do like to think of someone on the cancellation list being really pleased to get my slot

I haven't read all the thread. If you can't reschedule for a better time of day then you must attend. Wear a mask and wash your hands. Good luck.

I shall look at local groups though thank you all for ideas - my DH was usually about before as he used to work shifts so it's not been so much of a problem. I'm sure there are people that need the services more than me who don't have access to a car at all so don't really want to take from them.

I would go,
but I would wear mask all the way.
I've noticed when wearing mask in cold air it's stopping of cold air going to my lungs, and then It won't trigger the coughing fit.
(I always in cold air I cough, when indoors no cough whatsoever).
and use hand sanitizer as often as you can.

@Namechangeme87

Glad you got sorted op

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

At that time this morning it was 4© in West Yorkshire where I am.

@ginghamtablecloths

I haven't read all the thread. If you can't reschedule for a better time of day then you must attend. Wear a mask and wash your hands. Good luck.

Perhaps you should read the thread then. Why reply if you haven't?

Good luck OP. I had to have an operation on my shoulder too and I hope you're in less pain soon.

Use hospital transport, phone the hospital up and ask to be put through to transport.

Glad you have it sorted. Just for information at the start of lockdown I couldn't get a slot to have shopping delivered, I live in a cul-de-sac with neighbours who would watch us starve before they'd do anything (very white area and neighbours up in arms when we moved in as husband is BAME) family hours away. I emailed my MP and asked what we were supposed to do. Someone phoned me the next day as he had asked for hep for us from a local organisation. So for anyone else in a difficult situation I'd say drop an email to your MP and see what they can/will do.

Where are you OP? If in Manchester I'd be happy to take you ☺

Ah sorry, just seen you've rescheduled!

@INeedAMagic8Ball

I shall look at local groups though thank you all for ideas - my DH was usually about before as he used to work shifts so it's not been so much of a problem. I'm sure there are people that need the services more than me who don't have access to a car at all so don't really want to take from them.

Don’t worry about taking up the services. There will be people using it who AREN’t in as much need as you, on the face of it. But I bet you don’t judge them. There are regularly new people joining the app to volunteer and the one who helped me out loved being busy. I actually knew her before realising she was a volunteer, so I know she loves running around.

Female thank you I will look into it. Funnily enough when all this began, I contacted my community hub set up thing and volunteered for anything I could do at home (admin or phone calls etc) and they didn't want me

022828MAN well thank you but even if I did live in Manchester (I don't) I tend not to accept lifts from strangers on the internet especially with MAN in their usernames Kind offer though

@ilovesooty aww I want it to be that cold here am dying to get the log burner on again ! Roll on winter !

I would go early, wear a mask, find a nice bench outside and wait there, you could take a cuppa in a flask.

@OverTheRainbow88

I would go early, wear a mask, find a nice bench outside and wait there, you could take a cuppa in a flask.

There are no words! Well there might be, but they’d be rude and you’d probably not bother reading them, anyway! 🙄

@DeliciouslyFemale

Wish I hadn’t bothered reading your reply to me

[quote OverTheRainbow88]@DeliciouslyFemale

Wish I hadn’t bothered reading your reply to me[/quote]
Well ,I’m very flattered that you did, considering you obviously didn’t bother reading the thread. walks of feeling blessed

🤣