Living Alone - Practical Downside

F

Frio

New Member
And that downside is Medical!

I'm a widower of 1 year, mid 70's, and live alone. My wife and I moved to the town I live in only a few years ago. No real friends and no relatives here.

I've recently discovered that medical procedures that involve anesthesia and that do not require a hospital stay are almost impossible for me because doctors require that I be accompanied by a relative or friend that can drive me to and from the procedure. In some cases, they say no to Taxi/Uber drivers transporting me there and back because they say I need someone to be with me for a day or two in case of complications. The first thing that comes to mind is... Catch 22!

I'd be willing to bet there are a lot of folks in my situation but despite our numbers, the Medical system turns a blind eye to our unique needs.

If you are in this situation, how do you handle it?
 

Gaer said:
You have three choices.

Forget the medical procedure
or
Have the procedure without anesthesia.
or
Lie, and tell them you have a relative or neighbor who will stay with you for a few days.

If you don't have someone to take care of you after, they will refuse to operate.
Click to expand...
in my case they made sure I had someone in the waiting room before they would take me in for the procedure.. I had ask someone who I didnt even like but I knew would do it. I had thoughts of hiring someone to do it for me, it really is not a good situation and these procedures are important and need to be done but what if someone doesnt have a person who will take them and wait.
 

I'm in the same boat. Was supposed to have a colonoscopy a year and a half ago but haven't done so.
It not only required someone to drive me but is compounded by the fact it is in the next town over.

I called our local hospital to see if there were any kind of medical ride assistance programs available ... nope.

I am a military vet and it was suggested I contact vet organizations for possible assistance.
Closest I got was with disabled vets (DAV) but they don't have rides going to that city.

I'm out of choices, should have the procedure and wonder about future needs should they arise.

EDIT: Skyking just mentioned Church and that might be an idea, except I don't go to Church.
 
Naturally said:
I'm in the same boat. Was supposed to have a colonoscopy a year and a half ago but haven't done so.
It not only required someone to drive me but is compounded by the fact it is in the next town over.

I called our local hospital to see if there were any kind of medical ride assistance programs available ... nope.

I am a military vet and it was suggested I contact vet organizations for possible assistance.
Closest I got was with disabled vets (DAV) but they don't have rides going to that city.

I'm out of choices, should have the procedure and wonder about future needs should they arise.

EDIT: Skyking just mentioned Church and that might be an idea, except I don't go to Church.
Click to expand...
In my area, there is no cab service, no Uber, no Lyft and I have no friends or family within 3000 miles.
Haha! Kinda redefines "self-sufficient".
 
My brother used to live one town over and that's how I handled it in the past.
But he sold his house and moved into an apartment near his daughter, 100's of miles away.
I thought of asking a neighbor but all the ones I know work during the day.
We have a senior center but they don't offer that kind of assistance.
If I need an art class or want to learn to square dance ... they have me covered ;)
 
Naturally said:
'm in the same boat. Was supposed to have a colonoscopy a year and a half ago but haven't done so.
It not only required someone to drive me but is compounded by the fact it is in the next town over.
Click to expand...

Have you tried getting your doctor to get you a Cologuard test instead?

I did that successfully three years ago, but it has to be repeated every three years and this year the result was 'positive' so I had to get the real colonoscopy. I really stressed about finding someone to take me (because they won't do the procedure unless the ride person is there and waiting), but luckily it turned out that a man in the next building does it as a sideline for income, so I paid him $135 and he took me and waited and brought me back.
 
Naturally said:
I'm in the same boat. Was supposed to have a colonoscopy a year and a half ago but haven't done so.
It not only required someone to drive me but is compounded by the fact it is in the next town over.

I called our local hospital to see if there were any kind of medical ride assistance programs available ... nope.

I am a military vet and it was suggested I contact vet organizations for possible assistance.
Closest I got was with disabled vets (DAV) but they don't have rides going to that city.

I'm out of choices, should have the procedure and wonder about future needs should they arise.

EDIT: Skyking just mentioned Church and that might be an idea, except I don't go to Church.
Click to expand...
Unless you are having the colonoscopy for another reason (Hereditary problems with colon, or concerning past results), you can do other tests that don't require anything other than collecting a tiny stool sample and mailing it in to them. It's just a second option. If colon cancer doesn't run in your family, and you eat a good fiber diet and minimal red meats, chances are very good that the simple test will suffice. Just my opinion, so better to ask your doctor his opinion.
 
I think it helps that my doctor is associated with a university hospital that has a department dedicated to social work. Before I was married, I could rely on one of my sons to drive after I've required anesthesia, but I could have asked for a hospital social worker. They all have some nursing and multimedia first-aid training and will transport you and monitor you as well.
 
HoneyNut said:
Have you tried getting your doctor to get you a Cologuard test instead?
Click to expand...

bobcat48 said:
Unless you are having the colonoscopy for another reason (Hereditary problems with colon, or concerning past results), you can do other tests that don't require anything other than collecting a tiny stool sample and mailing it in to them. It's just a second option. If colon cancer doesn't run in your family, and you eat a good fiber diet and minimal red meats, chances are very good that the simple test will suffice. Just my opinion, so better to ask your doctor his opinion.
Click to expand...

I had no idea there were other medical options. Thanks for the heads up guys !!!
No history of colon cancer in the family thankfully.
I've had several colonoscopys done and the first one they found and removed 3 polyps.
I was on a 3yr program after that but all has been clear and I was moved to a 5yr deal and all good ... but now past due.
Not too worried about it but like to be proactive concerning it and will check other options. Thanks !!!
 
bobcat48 said:
Unless you are having the colonoscopy for another reason (Hereditary problems with colon, or concerning past results), you can do other tests that don't require anything other than collecting a tiny stool sample and mailing it in to them. It's just a second option. If colon cancer doesn't run in your family, and you eat a good fiber diet and minimal red meats, chances are very good that the simple test will suffice. Just my opinion, so better to ask your doctor his opinion.
Click to expand...
My doctor advised me to have a colonoscopy because I was getting low iron results. I did the stool sample which came back negative, and I also had a Helicobacter pylori breath test, which came back negative as well. I went ahead and had the colonoscopy test, and it came back positive with 2 sites pre-cancerous and 1 site definite cancer. I immediately went into hospital and had key-hole surgery and came home on the 3rd day. They took out 14 centimetres of my bowel and had a follow-up colonoscopy 6 weeks later with an all-clear and to have another one in 3 years time. I urge everyone to get that test, you never know it could save you endless heartache.
 
I need some procedures too and am in the same situation. I have no close relatives that I could ask and there is a friend but she works all the time and has various days off during the week. I don't feel like she could help. So, I just don't get the procedures done and they are important and my health is suffering because of it.
 
Skyking said:
Go to your local Church and tell the pastor your problem. I'll bet he can find you help. Among other things, it's what we do as Christians.
Click to expand...
best reply so far imo! -

however I am registered with an Indigenous Primary Care Unit [not easy to get registered these days but I did!] and because I have no independent transport atm and live outa town - they send transport for me to go anywhere in town for medical services - come on aussie come on!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top