Can't get through to cancel!

[Ellessdee]

Been away for work meeting. About to drive back but my car has broken down. AA can't fix it (they're unable to diagnose the issue) so need to take to local garage tomorrow. Work have put me in a hotel overnight. Have an appointment with cardiology for minor surgery at 7.45 tomorrow morning. Can't get through to hospital to cancel (just rings out) and apparently their phones open at 8. What do I do? Just not show up?

The utter nastiness on this thread is vile. I didn't realise people now had to put their full financial background onto what should have been a simple post.

Should OP have put
"Having minor surgery tomorrow morning and can't get through to the hospital to cancel, what should I do? Car (my own, not a company car), which was purchased 2 years ago in more affluent times, has broken down on a work trip and work will either pay for hotel or train home (one way). I can't afford the return trip to collect my car because my boiler broke, then my cat got ran over and I'm already in my overdraft with a debt management plan so can't extend it or get further credit. No family to call and I'm 4.5 hrs drive from home so it's not like I can walk it in time. Anyway back to my question, how do I cancel my appointment?"

Honestly if you don't see what's wrong with that, you need to have a look in the mirror.

OP, I'm glad you're sorted and sorry you had such a rough ride. I hope things are looking up for you soon and you can rest easy tonight knowing you managed to cancel the appointment. Take care of yourself.

At a guess, they are probably frustrated at something in their own lives so take it out on a stranger on the internet to make themselves feel better. Also, I’d bet they are the sort who wouldn’t say boo to a goose in real life.

Sad, really.

Why is your car more important than your health?

Thats a fucked up priority.

Get to the appointment any way you can. You have no idea when you will get the next one.

Call switchboard at hospital or even admissions and they will relay the message. Good luck. Mary RGN

BlooberryBiskits: "Get to the appointment any way you can. You have no idea when you will get the next one."

BlooberryBiskits: "Call switchboard at hospital or even admissions and they will relay the message. Good luck. Mary RGN"

Please read the OP's updates!

This thread is batshit but eye-opening as to how many people do not understand the concept of living hand to mouth and not being able to just merrily put aside money for emergencies.

Glad you are sorted OP.

@Fremdschämen : not me, perhaps read more carefully

^ this thread is a real eye opener to me of how many people (NOT the OP who has explained her v difficult circumstances due to an ex) think it’s ok to live that way, & also waste public funds which cost everyone in the long run

FWIW: I was born to WC immigrant parents, spent my early childhood in a council house and my early years of working life in a share house with no shower/bath or kitchen … I think I do know what it’s like to be short, the stress it causes, and would do anything to not live like that

No one thinks it’s okay to live that way but everything has gone up in price… and no one is being paid any extra!

People still going on about me having heart surgery 😂 this is just pure entertainment for me now.

People seeing that your appt is with cardiology + having 'a procedure' and drawing conclusions.

Glad you got things sorted out and have been able to reschedule.

OP had already said:

"Anyway, I got through by phoning about 10 different numbers and managed to speak to the person who was fitting the device. She was lovely and told me absolutely not to spend money I don't have because they can fit me in another time during the week, and they have other things that they can do in that time so it's no cost to anyone. Panic over."

Apologies BlooberryBiskits:

"Call switchboard at hospital or even admissions and they will relay the message. Good luck. Mary RGN"

was said by another poster. C & P error.

A return ticket wouldn't cost much more than a one way OP, so it wouldn't be double the amount.
As you are there for work, they could have got you a return, so go tonight and back tomorrow, then drive home.

Just for future reference as ypu say you're sorted for now.

The cardiologist told me I could drive home afterwards but to take it easy for a couple of days as I'll be sore. I might not have actually wanted to take a 3.5 hour train then drive for another 4ish hours the same day. This is the ridiculous part 😅

We are in a massive fucking recession the cost of living is astronomical, I’m sure a sizeable amount of people couldbt

Wow! Just wow on this thread! Have people not seen the rise in costs? A lot of people can’t find £100.

@Ellessdee you did the right thing! You clearly wanted to make sure that the hospital were aware, and didn’t want to put anyone out!

The point isn’t it’s whether it’s a missed appointment for you, but whether they can do anything else with that slot now.

I would ask work if they can help you pay cost of return train fare now, (so you or a relative/friend can get back up there to retrieve the car when ready) and, if necessary, deduct half the cost of the ticket in installments from your pay so you aren’t immediately out of pocket.

If it’s too late for the hospital to get someone else on the waiting list into your slot, which it clearly is, then not showing up is shockingly poor form.

You're a bit late to this thread

@RedToothBrush Well im guessing the car enables the OP to go to work which in turn would make it more likely for her to lay her hands on £100 no?

Yeah they said first two days of next week so you're right, not a bloody clue whether it'll be Monday or Tuesday!

Clearly!
Still true though…

Drip drip....

It was a suggestion!

It's a day procedure and I can drive home after...

Glad you got through to someone in the end! Letting them know is the right thing to do. I'm glad they can get you in quite soon. If you hadn't got through today ASAP tomorrow would likely have been OK too! Hope car issue gets sorted