Who drives you to medical procedures?

MikeinDavisMikeinDavis
in General

This is for those without close family or friends in their area. If this isn't an issue for you, please scroll on.

Who drives you to medical procedures? Has anyone ever asked a cuddle buddy?

Certain medical scans/procedures require you to have someone drive you home after, due to anesthesia. Many of us don't like to ask friends/family, don't have any in the area, or are just very solitary.

What do you all do? Most hospitals don't allow uber/lyft. My gastroenterologist made it clear I had to have someone AND it had to be "friend or family." So I asked my elderly parents. ☹️

Part of me wonders if a pro cuddler might be an option? I'm sure it would be personal preferences, of course. Or maybe go the Medical Transport route, but that's seems overkill for an otherwise healthy/mobile person.

Anyway, just thought I'd ask. Seemed like this community might have some ideas.

PS - I don't need a ride for anything personally (at least, short term)! I have parents who are semi-local but they're getting older and I hate asking them. ☹️

Comments

  • pmvinespmvines
    edited April 2023

    I have a mom and brother nearby, however I hate asking them for things especially when it comes to perosnal matters. I have no girlfriend or SO. So when I had throat surgery in August a friend from work drove me there and another friend from work drove me back, and then went to pharmacy and store etc to make sure I had what I needed . That's a day in the life of a grumpy old loner.

  • Matt462Matt462

    I’ve been in this situation recently, no one in my family cares enough to help, fortunately it’s a workers compensation case and the insurance company is obligated to provide transportation to and from appointments if I can’t get a ride. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without that option.

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    Adult kids.

  • xandriarainxandriarain

    If you do decide to hire a pro for this service make sure it is someone you know and trust. One you have been seeing for a while. I was talking to a colleague, the other day about the idea of going to medical appointments with clients who have medical anxiety, so I think this could definitely be a thing.

  • Matt462Matt462

    @xandriarain i wish I had that option, I have bad anxiety and had to take multiple meds to be able to get into a car with someone I don’t know. Even then I was shaking and sweating the whole time.

  • [Deleted User]WriterGF (deleted user)

    I have used cabs and ex-co-workers. I don't have family or friends in my area.

  • CuddleDuncanCuddleDuncan Mod

    There may be charities in your area that can help with this sort of thing. Spend some quality time with google.

    This question is not really about cuddle professionals. There are many suitable people, for example massage therapists, who might be willing to do this. The key thing is the relationship you have with them. If they are suitable and willing, then figuring out the deal will be relatively straightforward.

    If this is going to happen to you a lot, considering joining a church/mosque/temple/etc as this may link you into a network of suitable companions.

    As populations become ever more mobile, this is a significant and serious problem in the modern world. If some vague acquaintance mentions as hospital trip to you, ask if they have somebody to take them: they may appreciate some help from you even if they aren't able to ask for it directly.

  • GreatHornedOwlGreatHornedOwl

    So far, I have always managed to drive myself. Should I ever not be able to do that, my daughter, who is a nurse practitioner, lives not far from me.

    A few years ago I had a "mini stroke," also called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). I arose from a chair, and immediately fell to the floor. On the way down, I struck my head on a side board. I found myself flat on the floor, with blood running down my face, and with the entire side of my body totally paralyzed. Five minutes later, it was completely gone.

    I got up, put some clothes on, and drove the 11 miles to the nearest hospital, but I had to to take a slight detour to stop for diesel fuel along the way. You should have heard them ream me out when they asked how I got there. They thought that I should have called 911. I guess that I should have cleaned up all the blood before I left. I must have looked terrible.

  • houdini2019houdini2019

    This is an issue for me because I've had two surgeries and a couple follow up exams in the last year and one more coming up next month. My sister will take a day off from work (she lives 90 minutes away) to drive me there and most importantly. drive me home.

    I wish hospitals had transportation services for this kind of thing. I've asked friends and co-workers if absolutely necessary but I really don't like to. Toughest part of the second surgery was getting home from the hospital . It shouldn't be that way.

  • MikeinDavisMikeinDavis

    Wow... I guess I'm not alone in dealing with this. Thanks for chiming in folks!

    I agree it's a terrible shame that many (like my doc) insist/assume that everyone "can" find someone (or has a church or adult kids). I bet a lot of people skip procedures or scans for this very reason. I wish the medical community was more understanding and helpful. It's only going to get worse as fewer people have kids or even get married.

    As a cancer survivor, I can tell y'all that it's not wise to skip scans like a colonoscopy! But as an introvert who HATES being a burden, I sure can understand why folks do skip them. 😢

  • BearBear

    If I had to go this route, I would Google medical transportation near me.

  • pmvinespmvines
    edited April 2023

    Many procedures require that you not just have transportation to and from. Someome also needs to be present during procedure, and be responsible for DC instructions and after care instructions. When I had throat surgery, there's no way I could have just been dropped off at the house after. I needed meds and soft food etc

  • [Deleted User]GentleCuddlz (deleted user)
    edited April 2023

    9 years back, alone in this country, new at work, I had a small procedure but required full anesthesia. Went to craigslist and messaged a person who had advertised for house sitting. Asked them to meet at hospital and drive me home. They could drop me off at location and leave, that was the deal but they tucked me in bed and put water beside and left. Took 2 days for anesthesia to wear off. I could not have come home alone.

  • [Deleted User]MrAdmirer (deleted user)
    edited April 2023

    there should definitely be professional services available in your area for these situations.

    I had to have a colonoscopy and I have no family or friends here. At the time my son was not able to drive me. Your doctor/specialist will be able to give you a number to call. They sent me two different numbers to call and I was able to get a driver for about 80 bucks round trip. They even are required to wait at hospital in case something goes wrong.

    This is not the right place to look.

  • houdini2019houdini2019

    MikeinDavis You are 100 percent correct. I've delayed procedures because of transportation issues; I simply don't have anyone close by. Doctors and hospitals need to do a MUCH better job with this issue

  • Jascuddleboo32Jascuddleboo32

    I don't drive because of my eyesight and my Mom just started going through cancer treatments. I have to rely on a taxi or lyft.

  • Carrie_AnneCarrie_Anne

    I’ve also been in this situation multiple times. What’s especially aggravating is I have many family members and friends in my area. They always act like it’s a huge imposition if asked to do anything so I don’t ask. Even a close female friend who I drove to the hospital acts as if it’s very difficult for her to get around. Seriously?? She just renovated her house! I’ve thought of many guys who constantly message me, wanting my time and attention but I can’t imagine asking them.
    I don’t like to ask anything because I don’t want hear ‘no’ because it just feels weird.
    My ex-husband, who is remarried even, is always the one to help. We’ve always been on good terms so thank goodness he’s there for me. I would do the same for him.

    Medical transportation is super expensive, nearly $200 because of distance!

  • MikeinDavisMikeinDavis

    @MrAdmirer, I've looked elsewhere. That's why I asked here.

    I also asked my doctor as specifically and he was useless. Basically said don't show up without a friend or relative or we'll cancel your procedure. After I pressured him, he told me his mom gets rides from people at her church. Super helpful, Doc. Reason #15 I'll be changing plans next open enrollment.

    Glad your doctor was helpful. Many aren't.

  • [Deleted User]WriterGF (deleted user)

    The problem is, for some things they don't allow you to use a paid service to get home because you aren't (necessarily) going to be aware enough to make decisions and could get scammed. It has to be an individual you know (or at least say you know).

  • [Deleted User]MrAdmirer (deleted user)

    @MikeinDavis

    Wow, well I'm not sure where you are from but that is absurd. These services are rather common and the drivers usually even have some type of caregiver background.

    Still, I feel like we are really stretching the boundaries of this site. What's next? Ask to hire them to cook meals for us? Clean up our apartment? Pet sitting?

    I guess if you have a regular cuddler that you know well enough to ask as a favor, that would be ok. That would be akin to asking a friend for a favor but the rates they charge for cuddling would not even apply. It would be an entirely new negotiation. But to just hire a pro cuddler to shuttle back and forth for a procedure is just so outside the scope of what this site is all about. Sometimes they have to sit in the waiting room for a couple hours and may even have to follow some post care instructions.

  • MikeinDavisMikeinDavis
    edited April 2023

    Good point, WriterGF! My unhelpful doc also mentioned that! Must be "Friend or family". No lyft/uber. No one paid. He was even queasy about medical transport!?! Bizarre....

    So be sure to clarify the rules with your doctor prior to arranging any "alternative" transportation.

    I get they can't let the patient drive, for other's safety on the road. But they should let you sign a waiver to take whatever transport you can muster.

    I guess Dignity assumes everyone has a church group? Human kindness? Riiiiiight. Despite continuity of care concerns, I'll be changing to another provider soon.

  • Erin_Elle_Erin_Elle_

    I don’t live by family, either. My roommate is my person. Personally, I’m pretty anti western medicine, but I accept rides from her to the airport. ☺️

    I am up for doing this for a regular client! ♥️

  • OhioMikeOhioMike

    I’m not in need of this bring blessed with a network of people around me But I’m interested in responses so far.
    I did like someone mentioned above just googled this scenario in my rural area and the county health dept website came up first. $4 ride to any appointment and $2 for seniors . Pretty cool and Good to know ! 😊👍

  • Maverick07Maverick07

    I don't have family (adults) here in the US, only my 11 year-old kid.

    I had a hernia surgery last year, and my experience showed who my friends were (or not really).

  • Lisa123Lisa123

    When I worked in RI, there were ride programs through the state for low income and elderly, but that was mostly to get to appointments. I saw a few surgeries canceled because they were unable to get help at home for 24-48 hours.

    I once saw an elderly woman, clean and dressed wandering in a store plaza at dusk. She looked lost, so I asked if she was okay. She had been discharged from a hospital, got on a bus and got off at the wrong place. She was miles away from home with no phone and no money. I drove her home.

    There's so much wrong with the health-care in this country.

  • WKplatonicWKplatonic
    edited April 2023

    My professional Cuddler partner spent eight hours in the emergency room and took me to many doctor appointments last year. My parent and I make sure this person was/is paid for her time.

    @Lisa123, our health -care is bad, and it's only getting worse. Today medical professionals want to treat everyone the same, but it doesn't work that way. It is very scary! I remember when my doctor was my best friend they understood me when one else did.

  • JezikaJezika

    As a pro cuddler I would gladly agree to give some one a ride to their procedure if requested. I know that me personally in the past I've had moments where I've had to have a procedure done and didn't have transportation. It sucked, so I wouldn't want someone else to have to go through that if I can prevent it.

  • LadyVelLadyVel

    I wouldn't mind being asked and even doing it for someone I knew but because of my day job hours, I couldn't easily just take the day off unpaid to do it.

  • Alan2018Alan2018

    This shouldn't be a problem at all.Many hospitals provide a ride service while others don't.It makes no sense to be strict about the rides(They won't accept uber or a taxi) but insist that you have someone( friend or family.) for the procedure. The hospital itself should be responsible for providing the rides.I would imagine this ride protocol has something to do with the hospital protecting itself from liabilities.While having a cuddle companion to provide a ride and support is desirable the time would be better spent with actual cuddling.

  • OhioMikeOhioMike

    Upon some further research In my area …

    Private ambulance companies offer rides also to health appointments etc Here’s one company I purposely left name off but their rates are somewhat reasonable I think …

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