To ask a friend to keep me company going to a hospital appointment?

[glaswegiangoose]

I have a hospital appointment coming up for something I'm quite worried about. Not in a bad news sense, just because it will be quite a vulnerable and probably emotional appointment (think infertility treatment, but it's not that). I'm single and I don't have any family who could come with me. AIBU to consider asking if a friend would come with me? Just so that I'm not going alone, then they could wait for me in the waiting room while I'm in the appointment. We could maybe get coffee afterwards. Would this be ok?

Not at all unreasonable to ask. A couple of friends have previously supported me in this way, and I was very grateful.

I would probably just ask them to meet me for coffee after. Asking them to sit in a waiting room is a bit much imo

Not at all unreasonable, if fact, I think it's a good idea. It's good to have someone you trust along with you, for emotional support.

Not unreasonable to ask. I know my friends would do this for me if they could. It’s ok to want support. Hope you’re ok OP.

Of course it's okay. A friend would be happy to support you.

If they'd need to take time off work, I wouldn't ask. If they're likely to be easily available and not inconvenienced, I would.

I would do this for a friend. Ask your friend. Good luck with the appointment.

I agree and have done it lots of times with friends and they've offered for me too. Friend don't mind helping if you ask. Hope all is ok x

This is a good idea
Dint ask them to go with you, it's so boring waiting around, there's no decent coffee, it's either too hot or too cold & there's all those germs.

Take a good book & maybe meet someone afterwards

Yes, I would go if I asked by a friend.

I've taken colleagues to A+E before so would do much more for a friend.

I would feel bad if a friend thought they couldn't ask me.

It’s fine to ask but do any of them not work during the day of your appointment? My friend dropped me at hospital early one morning for surgery so DH could stay with the kids.

I regularly see patients who have brought friends as moral support, and actually went with a friend to an appointment today. It’s very normal and you are not being at all unreasonable.

i would be happy to do that for a friend or even an acquaintance if they asked.

I think it’s a good idea to have someone with you as especially if it’s an emotional thing you can forget to ask key questions or find it difficult to remember what was said

Not at all, why not?

But it’s ok to ask a friend to do something that’s vaguely boring if you really need the support! It’s completely fine, and a normal part of human relationships. I’m glad these are the only two misanthropic answers on a thread that’s otherwise full of people who understand friendship.

Of course you should ask her, OP. I would be honoured if a friend wanted me to support her in this situation. I hope your appointment goes well.

I would be very happy to support any friend who asked this of me. It’s really such a small ask!

As long as you know they won't have to take annual leave, otherwise you are putting them in a difficult position. If I wasn't working I'd be more than happy to support a friend.

Personally I probably wouldn’t ask myself (because I’m a stoic old bird that prefers to have my own time to process things) but I would definitely go with a friend that asked me, if I could.