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

@INeedAMagic8Ball Glad you seem to have this sorted, but if you need it the NHS volunteer responders (the ones they recruited loads of when Covid first started) do patient transport and they have DBS checks etc so they’re a good option to try if your husband can’t give you a lift. If you google there’s a number to ring, I can copy and paste if you can’t find it. There are so many more volunteers than tasks to fulfill in most areas so don’t worry about taking up peoples time, lots of people are desperate to help people out!

I’ve recently joined the nhs responders too as they need more people in my area - I only got selected to do the check in and chat service (I guess because I don’t have a dbs check) but that’s something you could do from home if they’re needed in your area too? If you still wanted to do that kind of thing

I am surprised people are allowed to wear an n95 mask on public transport. Whilst it might protect the wearer, it puts their fellow passengers at increased risk.

www.healthline.com/health-news/certain-type-n95-mask-harm-covid19-spread

I'm amazed nobody suggested cycling !

@CloudPop

I'm amazed nobody suggested cycling !

She has a bad shoulder is on crutches and has asthma which won't be helped by the freezing air. You're right I'm very surprised no one suggested cycling 🤔

I am actually quite surprised no one mentioned cycling

Well, of course of fucking course I've fucked it up right up re-scheduling as my DDs op has just been rescheduled (aka delayed) and her pre Op visit is now exactly the same time as my new appt. At a different hospital. For very outing reasons (which even MN can't solve even if I did a thread) I have to go with her.

FML as DD would say

So now I'm leaning towards doing my own shoulder op. Although performing medical procedures on myself is how I ended up in this mess

Actually I'm quite dim - I just realised if DH is free to drive me, he would be free to take DD.

I shall just get my my cough sweets, favourite cat print mask, my snuggly coat, my kindle, my gloves and my flask and my "don't you dare sit next to me" face ready.

Might have been mentioned but for next week you could see if www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/our-services/getting-out-and-about/patient-transport offers patient transport in your area. It’s cheaper than a taxi.

All the best OP. Sorry I don't have anything more constructive to say.

[quote msbevvy]I am surprised people are allowed to wear an n95 mask on public transport. Whilst it might protect the wearer, it puts their fellow passengers at increased risk.

www.healthline.com/health-news/certain-type-n95-mask-harm-covid19-spread[/quote]
Given that actual mask wearing on buses here is not really checked on and plenty of people are just taking them off, including almost all the school children, no one’s going to bother about type of mask. Wearing an N95 mask on a bus seems quite sensible during school run times. There’s very little point in caring about other people’s well-being if they aren’t going to give a damn about yours in this situation.

And it is a specific situation. I wear everywhere else, because everyone else is wearing one.

I have read the thread and I'm pleased to hear you've managed to rearrange your appointment.