"Escort" required for my upcoming endoscopy.
July 28, 2022 1:23 PM Subscribe
An "escort" is required for my upcoming upper endoscopy in about two weeks (to give me a ride home or accompany me on public transportation), but I don't know anyone who will be available. It'd be mid-day during the week, and I really don't want to ask a friend to take time off from work. The facility also would be right next to public transportation.
Kaiser wouldn't budge when I explained that the facility would be right next to public transportation, and that I'd be okay to go alone. It doesn't make sense because when I was in Urgent Care last year, I was given anesthesia as well, and wasn't required to leave the facility with an escort. I was told it was both Kaiser and state law requiring me to have an escort, and that if I wasn't with somebody, I wouldn't be taken in or given the endoscopy.
I could ask a friend of mine, but I really don't want to inconvenience them, and potentially have to make them take time off. I don't have any family in the area, and am single.
What would your suggestion be? I really need this EGD to rule out the stomach issues I've been having, but an escort seems to be required as a hard and fast rule, unless I'm missing something?
Kaiser wouldn't budge when I explained that the facility would be right next to public transportation, and that I'd be okay to go alone. It doesn't make sense because when I was in Urgent Care last year, I was given anesthesia as well, and wasn't required to leave the facility with an escort. I was told it was both Kaiser and state law requiring me to have an escort, and that if I wasn't with somebody, I wouldn't be taken in or given the endoscopy.
I could ask a friend of mine, but I really don't want to inconvenience them, and potentially have to make them take time off. I don't have any family in the area, and am single.
What would your suggestion be? I really need this EGD to rule out the stomach issues I've been having, but an escort seems to be required as a hard and fast rule, unless I'm missing something?
Ask a friend. I've done this for friends before. It's really not a big inconvenience. I liked being able to get out of work for a bit. Treat them to lunch.
posted by kevinbelt at 1:29 PM on July 28, 2022 [60 favorites]
posted by kevinbelt at 1:29 PM on July 28, 2022 [60 favorites]
It is a hard and fast rule, mostly because they would be liable if something happened to you while you were inebriated/impaired after anesthesia. You can pay for this help-- you are looking for "non-emergency medical transportation" which is a paid service that meets the legal requirement for someone looking after you. Functionally, it is an expensive Uber.
posted by blnkfrnk at 1:30 PM on July 28, 2022 [13 favorites]
posted by blnkfrnk at 1:30 PM on July 28, 2022 [13 favorites]
Your response to the sedation can range anywhere from mildly groggy to completely zonked. You won't know until that day (even if you've had the same medication before).
Ask a friend. I know you don't want to and I am always hesitant to ask favours, too. Still, I would do it for even a not-very-close friend, and I wouldn't feel inconvenienced.
posted by Acari at 1:30 PM on July 28, 2022 [16 favorites]
Ask a friend. I know you don't want to and I am always hesitant to ask favours, too. Still, I would do it for even a not-very-close friend, and I wouldn't feel inconvenienced.
posted by Acari at 1:30 PM on July 28, 2022 [16 favorites]
Definitely ask a friend. If a friend asked me for this I would be there in a heartbeat and would not feel bad if it meant taking off work.
posted by donut_princess at 1:30 PM on July 28, 2022 [11 favorites]
posted by donut_princess at 1:30 PM on July 28, 2022 [11 favorites]
I had a medical escort take me home from wisdom tooth surgery. She was very nice, and if you live in the Boston area I can refer you.
I have had a similar procedure with anesthetic, and family was with me at the time -- I would not go it alone. I was absolutely loopy.
posted by Countess Elena at 1:34 PM on July 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
I have had a similar procedure with anesthetic, and family was with me at the time -- I would not go it alone. I was absolutely loopy.
posted by Countess Elena at 1:34 PM on July 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: It would cost more than public transportation, but I would inquire whether a Uber or Lyft ride home would meet their criteria. Mr. Structure had outpatient surgery that necessitated being driven home, and when I made a joke about being his support human, the nurse commented that for some people it was an Uber driver.
I asked, and was told no. They require someone to come in with me, wait in the waiting area, and leave with me. So, no.
You can pay for this help-- you are looking for "non-emergency medical transportation" which is a paid service that meets the legal requirement for someone looking after you. Functionally, it is an expensive Uber.
Where can I find this? Would Kaiser be able to/willing to cover that service?
posted by dubious_dude at 1:34 PM on July 28, 2022
I asked, and was told no. They require someone to come in with me, wait in the waiting area, and leave with me. So, no.
You can pay for this help-- you are looking for "non-emergency medical transportation" which is a paid service that meets the legal requirement for someone looking after you. Functionally, it is an expensive Uber.
Where can I find this? Would Kaiser be able to/willing to cover that service?
posted by dubious_dude at 1:34 PM on July 28, 2022
Please ask a friend. This is a really concrete, time-limited way for someone to help you. Way easier than some kind of “let me know if you ever need anything” vagueness. Stuff like this makes close friendship simpler to achieve as an adult, a notoriously difficult process.
posted by Mizu at 1:34 PM on July 28, 2022 [44 favorites]
posted by Mizu at 1:34 PM on July 28, 2022 [44 favorites]
Sometimes I have to remind myself that most people want to help the people they care about.
Ask a friend. Give them plenty of advance notice. Buy them something nice, or do something nice for them.
Or, since your username has the word 'dude' in it, just lower your sunglasses slightly, look them in the eye, say 'Muchas gracias, I owe you a solid,' and then give them a fist bump.
posted by box at 1:36 PM on July 28, 2022 [11 favorites]
Ask a friend. Give them plenty of advance notice. Buy them something nice, or do something nice for them.
Or, since your username has the word 'dude' in it, just lower your sunglasses slightly, look them in the eye, say 'Muchas gracias, I owe you a solid,' and then give them a fist bump.
posted by box at 1:36 PM on July 28, 2022 [11 favorites]
I did this for a not very close friend and it was fine recently and another friend did it for him for a separate procedure. My work is fairly flexible and it wasn’t a huge deal to go in an Uber home with him then make sure he was settled. It’s the kind of thing you do for someone I would absolutely ask around.
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 1:38 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 1:38 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
If any of your friends have office jobs then they could probably let their office know they'll be busy with an appointment that afternoon, get to take time off work to help a friend, and won't even lose any pay over it. Pretty much a win-win situation.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:38 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:38 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
The phrase my doctor's office used was "medically responsible"--i.e., a cabdriver, Uber, or train conductor (for example) can't be "medically responsible" for you. As such, probably asking a friend is probably the only way to go. I was easily able to draft Mr. Scratch, but it did cost him an afternoon's pay. As for finding such a thing, perhaps your doctor's office can refer you? Certainly you aren't the only one ever to be in this situation.
posted by scratch at 1:40 PM on July 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by scratch at 1:40 PM on July 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
It is doubtful Kaiser will cover the cost of the escort; they expect you to use friends or family (I literally had the staff say “we don’t believe you “ when I explained I didn’t have anyone).
Some medical transport companies will have varying levels of service, one of which is likely just going to be an EMT with a car. It costs a fortune for what you get, but it’s basically non-negotiable and yes it’s infuriating.
…so IME your best bet is to search medical transport companies in your area, and then reach out to them.
posted by aramaic at 1:46 PM on July 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
Some medical transport companies will have varying levels of service, one of which is likely just going to be an EMT with a car. It costs a fortune for what you get, but it’s basically non-negotiable and yes it’s infuriating.
…so IME your best bet is to search medical transport companies in your area, and then reach out to them.
posted by aramaic at 1:46 PM on July 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
Best answer: You can also try searching for "medical accompaniment" with your city name. Kaiser isn't going to cover it though. As a cancer patient, I'm constantly infuriated by the medical establishment's assumption that everyone has a caretaker - or at least family and/or friends who can spend a lot of time helping out.
Whether your friends are able to do this would depend on the kinds of jobs they have, but it does seem worth asking. I have had to have a number of friends do this for me.
posted by FencingGal at 1:49 PM on July 28, 2022 [14 favorites]
Whether your friends are able to do this would depend on the kinds of jobs they have, but it does seem worth asking. I have had to have a number of friends do this for me.
posted by FencingGal at 1:49 PM on July 28, 2022 [14 favorites]
I’ve done this for a friend and it was no big deal at all. But also, for a recent procedure, I was given the option to stay an additional 3 hrs in recovery if I didn’t have an escort. Not sure if that’s something available in your case; it might be worth asking in case your friends aren’t able to help.
posted by ohneat at 1:49 PM on July 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by ohneat at 1:49 PM on July 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: It is doubtful Kaiser will cover the cost of the escort; they expect you to use friends or family (I literally had the staff say “we don’t believe you “ when I explained I didn’t have anyone).
Sorry for the threadsit (mods please remove this if it's not helpful or relevant to the discussion) but this part is what pisses me off. How about someone who's homeless? Someone who has no friends or family in the area? Someone who recently moved to the area and is still new? Or even a glut of friends/family who are busy and literally unable to help (think those from lower income families who work retail jobs)? There are many reasons that you wouldn't have someone there to help.
I find this very prohibitive, and it is infuriating that Kaiser (and other providers) operate on an assumption that someone will have family and/or friends in the area to help. This is not always the case.
In any case, I will ask friends and see. I'm sure I can find someone, I just feel bad taking them away from their jobs (most of my friends work during the weekday). I could also try asking about staying longer, but I honestly doubt it. Kaiser is very bureaucratic and the kind that sticks by the rules.
posted by dubious_dude at 1:51 PM on July 28, 2022 [12 favorites]
Sorry for the threadsit (mods please remove this if it's not helpful or relevant to the discussion) but this part is what pisses me off. How about someone who's homeless? Someone who has no friends or family in the area? Someone who recently moved to the area and is still new? Or even a glut of friends/family who are busy and literally unable to help (think those from lower income families who work retail jobs)? There are many reasons that you wouldn't have someone there to help.
I find this very prohibitive, and it is infuriating that Kaiser (and other providers) operate on an assumption that someone will have family and/or friends in the area to help. This is not always the case.
In any case, I will ask friends and see. I'm sure I can find someone, I just feel bad taking them away from their jobs (most of my friends work during the weekday). I could also try asking about staying longer, but I honestly doubt it. Kaiser is very bureaucratic and the kind that sticks by the rules.
posted by dubious_dude at 1:51 PM on July 28, 2022 [12 favorites]
Ask a friend. I've done this for friends and co-workers and sometimes I do it for thanks and one time I got home-made cookies and another time someone left me with a bottle of scotch and taking you back and forth from the hospital is the mere beginning of what I would do for home-made cookies or a bottle of scotch.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 1:52 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 1:52 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you have some local website - could be NextDoor or a Facebook group or a mutual aid group or whatever - you can probably find someone willing to do this for you for a token amount for their gas and time. This comes up all the time in my local mutual aid group.
posted by Stacey at 1:53 PM on July 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by Stacey at 1:53 PM on July 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
How about someone who's homeless? Someone who has no friends or family in the area? Someone who recently moved to the area and is still new? Or even a glut of friends/family who are busy and literally unable to help (think those from lower income families who work retail jobs)? There are many reasons that you wouldn't have someone there to help.
If COVID has taught us nothing else, it's that people lie over rules they think are silly and endanger others. They are not going to let you out to potentially drive yourself home and kill someone else. Railing against this is a waste of energy.
I would ask a friend, hesitation to do so not withstanding, or hire someone off my local Reddit. Hourly rate plus mileage?
posted by DarlingBri at 2:00 PM on July 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
If COVID has taught us nothing else, it's that people lie over rules they think are silly and endanger others. They are not going to let you out to potentially drive yourself home and kill someone else. Railing against this is a waste of energy.
I would ask a friend, hesitation to do so not withstanding, or hire someone off my local Reddit. Hourly rate plus mileage?
posted by DarlingBri at 2:00 PM on July 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
I know someone who hired a home health care worker for the afternoon to do this - actually it was for an endoscopy as well.She contacted an agency and they set up. Did cost money - I don't know how much.
posted by metahawk at 2:00 PM on July 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by metahawk at 2:00 PM on July 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Just chiming in as another person who would be happy to help out a friend in this way. More and more companies are doing flex vacation time so you may not even be causing a minor hardship in the way that you fear.
posted by phunniemee at 2:06 PM on July 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 2:06 PM on July 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
When my husband needed something similar, the facility was willing to bend on "have someone here the whole time" even though they absolutely required someone there at pickup. Maybe ask about that, because it would spare your friend a bunch of waiting time.
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:09 PM on July 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:09 PM on July 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I recently did this for a friend last month. I took the whole day off from work (I hate work so that is fine, my boss understood) to wait around in Surgery Town until she got out. It was totally fine. Unless you only have one friend in the world and she absolutely can't get out of work, it's not that big of a deal to the other person.
I do agree that it's not fucking fair if you really do have NOBODY to ask, but unfortunately, another human is required to babysit you in this particular circumstance and you probably can't find someone to pay to do it on the level you need. You probably will not feel okay enough to be able to handle yourself/public transportation. They have this as a law for very good reasons. I concur that there's not much point in railing against the law here.
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:15 PM on July 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
I do agree that it's not fucking fair if you really do have NOBODY to ask, but unfortunately, another human is required to babysit you in this particular circumstance and you probably can't find someone to pay to do it on the level you need. You probably will not feel okay enough to be able to handle yourself/public transportation. They have this as a law for very good reasons. I concur that there's not much point in railing against the law here.
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:15 PM on July 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
Seattle has companies that provide this service. For example: Day Surgery Companions Services. (It is $60 per hour with a 3-hr minimum, but that's life.)
Perhaps there is such a service in your area, too?
posted by SageTrail at 2:18 PM on July 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
Perhaps there is such a service in your area, too?
posted by SageTrail at 2:18 PM on July 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
Best answer: You might also contact Catholic Charities, if there is one in your area. They provide transportation to medical appointments for free, or for a very low fee (not sure if endoscopy-type appts are included, or what the criteria is to qualify for the service, but you can ask). You don't have to be Catholic to use their services.
posted by SageTrail at 2:26 PM on July 28, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by SageTrail at 2:26 PM on July 28, 2022 [8 favorites]
Best answer: Check for a "time bank" organization in your area. The time bank setup is kind of nice. The person helping out earns hours they can then use for anything else in the time bank circle. Generally you need to be a member for a nominal time and have something to offer (tech support by phone, making quickbread, refilling a metro pass for someone homebound, etc.) before drawing time, but not always. What's nice is that it's not a 1:1 swap. You could use hours for the ride, and then at a later date contribute something completely unrelated.
posted by cocoagirl at 2:33 PM on July 28, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by cocoagirl at 2:33 PM on July 28, 2022 [6 favorites]
Best answer: I'm sure I can find someone, I just feel bad taking them away from their jobs (most of my friends work during the weekday).
I've been frustrated when friends haven't asked in situations like this. Like recently I had to really convince someone to let me give her a ride to urgent care for an appointment. We need to trust our friends to say no to something if they can't do it, and asking for help from people who care about us is a good quality to have and nurture. We don't need to come up with reasons why people won't help us.
posted by bluedaisy at 2:49 PM on July 28, 2022 [24 favorites]
I've been frustrated when friends haven't asked in situations like this. Like recently I had to really convince someone to let me give her a ride to urgent care for an appointment. We need to trust our friends to say no to something if they can't do it, and asking for help from people who care about us is a good quality to have and nurture. We don't need to come up with reasons why people won't help us.
posted by bluedaisy at 2:49 PM on July 28, 2022 [24 favorites]
Best answer: Where are you located? I'd be happy to do this for you if you were local to me; other mefites might feel the same.
posted by librarina at 3:06 PM on July 28, 2022 [18 favorites]
posted by librarina at 3:06 PM on July 28, 2022 [18 favorites]
I did this for my upstairs neighbor, who was (and remained) a nod-wave-small-talk acquaintance. We were both singletons who kept to ourselves. We get it. I will always agree to be the clinic escort if I'm able. So, ask a friend!
Or, put an ad up on Mefi jobs? It qualifies as an odd job for sure. But we all (in the US over the age of 45ish who've had a colonoscopy) understand.
posted by Gray Duck at 3:08 PM on July 28, 2022 [8 favorites]
Or, put an ad up on Mefi jobs? It qualifies as an odd job for sure. But we all (in the US over the age of 45ish who've had a colonoscopy) understand.
posted by Gray Duck at 3:08 PM on July 28, 2022 [8 favorites]
Best answer: You really should have an escort--I barely remember anything from the day of my endoscopy. It's like it was erased from my memory. What I do remember isn't reliable either. You shouldn't be on public transport in that state. I agree that this kind of thing can bring friends closer together too. It's vulnerable and uncomfortable to ask your friends for help, but they want to help.
posted by purple_bird at 3:16 PM on July 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by purple_bird at 3:16 PM on July 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
If it makes you feel any better about needing to have an escort for this procedure, I was someone else's escort for this procedure once and the patient was totally out of it when he left the facility. It would not have been a good idea for him to try to get himself home on public transit in that state. He has no memory of how he got from the facility to home that day (which was in my car, with me driving). I understand the helpless feeling of not feeling like you have anyone to ask, but there is good reason for the rule. Do not feel bad about asking people for help with this.
posted by wondermouse at 3:17 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by wondermouse at 3:17 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
Just another person chiming in to say 1) I've been the medical pickup buddy more than once for a (not very close at the time) friend and 2) I was happy to do it and it was fine. She bought me lunch. It was easy and it made me feel good.
I get where you're coming from (I had my wisdom teeth out under local anesthesia in large part because I was afraid to ask for a ride home!) but seriously this is the kind of thing people love to help out with.
posted by mskyle at 3:18 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
I get where you're coming from (I had my wisdom teeth out under local anesthesia in large part because I was afraid to ask for a ride home!) but seriously this is the kind of thing people love to help out with.
posted by mskyle at 3:18 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm single and have been in this position and I'm Nthing that you should absolutely ask a friend and not feel bad.
From what I remember of your previous questions, you've been good to many of your friends before (eg. having them over to stay at your place in the past) and you've just regarded that as what friends do for one another. It is without doubt much harder to be the one needing to ask for favours, but it's how the world works when it works well.
posted by penguin pie at 3:25 PM on July 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
From what I remember of your previous questions, you've been good to many of your friends before (eg. having them over to stay at your place in the past) and you've just regarded that as what friends do for one another. It is without doubt much harder to be the one needing to ask for favours, but it's how the world works when it works well.
posted by penguin pie at 3:25 PM on July 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
If you join your local Buy Nothing group, you might find someone who is willing to help you for free.
Buy Nothing isn't just for getting rid of old sofas - you can also post ASK posts asking for gifts of someone's time.
posted by carriage pulled by cassowaries at 3:28 PM on July 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
Buy Nothing isn't just for getting rid of old sofas - you can also post ASK posts asking for gifts of someone's time.
posted by carriage pulled by cassowaries at 3:28 PM on July 28, 2022 [4 favorites]
Try finding a person on Care.com This is in line with their caregivers work.
posted by Coffeetyme at 3:37 PM on July 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Coffeetyme at 3:37 PM on July 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
I hear you on how the requirement to have another person help is unfair and/or uncomfortable in many ways. However, the good news is that most people really want to help others, especially if you don't ask for favors often. I'd be happy to do this for a friend, neighbor, colleague or even random new acquaintance from MetaFilter!! I love the suggestion of treating the person to lunch. They can always tell you no if they can't or don't want to!
posted by smorgasbord at 3:38 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by smorgasbord at 3:38 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Friend. Neighbor. Coworker. Acquaintance from a house of worship or club.
Also ask them if they have a reliable source with transportation for hire.
Get a couple of backup options.
posted by TrishaU at 3:38 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
Also ask them if they have a reliable source with transportation for hire.
Get a couple of backup options.
posted by TrishaU at 3:38 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Update:
Wow, thanks for all the responses. I asked a friend, and it seems like he's a go! I'll try to secure backups in case. But, all of your helpful responses made a difference! Thanks to those who offered locally (I'm in the DC area), that's a very sweet thing to do. It's definitely hard to ask for favors, but hey, gotta do what I gotta do, right? :)
posted by dubious_dude at 3:43 PM on July 28, 2022 [25 favorites]
Wow, thanks for all the responses. I asked a friend, and it seems like he's a go! I'll try to secure backups in case. But, all of your helpful responses made a difference! Thanks to those who offered locally (I'm in the DC area), that's a very sweet thing to do. It's definitely hard to ask for favors, but hey, gotta do what I gotta do, right? :)
posted by dubious_dude at 3:43 PM on July 28, 2022 [25 favorites]
It's definitely hard to ask for favors, but hey, gotta do what I gotta do, right? :)
Right! I’ve been working on this myself, and trying to change my mindset to - when a friend asks me for a favor like this, I feel honored and useful! And for some reason I don’t assume my friends will feel the same way, but usually they totally do!
posted by showbiz_liz at 4:00 PM on July 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
Right! I’ve been working on this myself, and trying to change my mindset to - when a friend asks me for a favor like this, I feel honored and useful! And for some reason I don’t assume my friends will feel the same way, but usually they totally do!
posted by showbiz_liz at 4:00 PM on July 28, 2022 [3 favorites]
I know you’ve already asked a friend (good) but Nthing what everyone has said. I have been this friend twice, and it felt SO GOOD to be able to help my friends in this way.
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 4:21 PM on July 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 4:21 PM on July 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
It's definitely hard to ask for favors, but hey, gotta do what I gotta do, right? :)
A friend of mine recently had a good conversation with a third friend. Third friend told my friend, "You need to ask me for help sometimes. You help me out in so many ways, and you never let me give that help back, and it's a barrier in our friendship. Please ask for help."
posted by bluedaisy at 4:29 PM on July 28, 2022 [9 favorites]
A friend of mine recently had a good conversation with a third friend. Third friend told my friend, "You need to ask me for help sometimes. You help me out in so many ways, and you never let me give that help back, and it's a barrier in our friendship. Please ask for help."
posted by bluedaisy at 4:29 PM on July 28, 2022 [9 favorites]
Best answer: I hear ya on not wanting to ask for favors or help. Like I'd get help from my parents, but they'd yell at me the entire time and I'd sure as hell wish I hadn't had to ask. As my therapist points out, not everyone is going to react like that.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:33 PM on July 28, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:33 PM on July 28, 2022 [7 favorites]
Best answer: I’ve done this for two friends recently. It’s a nice thing to do for someone and not particularly onerous. I’m in the DC area. If your friend falls trough at the last minute, let me know and I’d be happy to help if I can - my schedule is usually super flexible
posted by gemmy at 4:35 PM on July 28, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by gemmy at 4:35 PM on July 28, 2022 [5 favorites]
You could look on Facebook for someone with PSW (personal support worker) experience and pay them by the hour. If you ask on FB, you may have a local friend who has been a PSW, or used a PSW for their own disability or a relative’s care, and that PSW may want some extra work.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 5:45 PM on July 28, 2022
posted by nouvelle-personne at 5:45 PM on July 28, 2022
My wife had a very similar procedure done a few weeks ago. I met her as she was discharged, walked her out of the hospital, over to the parking structure, up the elevator to the car, which was in the least accessible location. Then we discussed where to go for lunch, I drove out of the parkade, and a couple of miles away to get burgers and shakes.
She doesn't remember anything before the burger place. She was lucid, seemed functional mostly but was in fact highly vulnerable.
posted by Superilla at 7:48 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
She doesn't remember anything before the burger place. She was lucid, seemed functional mostly but was in fact highly vulnerable.
posted by Superilla at 7:48 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
I just went through this literally this week. In my case I threw a tantrum out of desperation because I literally do not know anyone in the whole state who will do it, and I can't afford to hire a sitter.
They did it unanesthetized. It's brutal. It's 5-10 minutes of feeling like you are drowning, being waterboarded and getting very little air. But if you really really really need it done and have no other options, then that is an option. Make sure you aren't congested if you choose this option, and make sure you're holding onto something tightly so your hands don't move on their own. If you have any history of assault where you've also been held down, this will almost certainly trigger PTSD.
Kaiser may or may not pay for transportation, if the doctor writes it as a prescription. I wasn't even told this was an option until the day of, which would have meant canceling and them not rescheduling it for three months.
Don't get me started on the shit state of American healthcare.
posted by liminal_shadows at 8:28 PM on July 28, 2022
They did it unanesthetized. It's brutal. It's 5-10 minutes of feeling like you are drowning, being waterboarded and getting very little air. But if you really really really need it done and have no other options, then that is an option. Make sure you aren't congested if you choose this option, and make sure you're holding onto something tightly so your hands don't move on their own. If you have any history of assault where you've also been held down, this will almost certainly trigger PTSD.
Kaiser may or may not pay for transportation, if the doctor writes it as a prescription. I wasn't even told this was an option until the day of, which would have meant canceling and them not rescheduling it for three months.
Don't get me started on the shit state of American healthcare.
posted by liminal_shadows at 8:28 PM on July 28, 2022
This is entirely a liability issue for the medical provider. And to emphasize that for some patients this is appropriate, I refer you to the post above by Superilla.
Bonus - they can get to the medical appointment on their own - you are only needed for pick-up.
posted by citygirl at 8:33 PM on July 28, 2022
Bonus - they can get to the medical appointment on their own - you are only needed for pick-up.
posted by citygirl at 8:33 PM on July 28, 2022
Adding that the issue is the anesthesia. I had, now two, colonoscopies with no anesthesia to get around this requirement. It is uncomfortable doing these kinds of procedures without meds, but it is not a medical issue.
I also had a procedure where I had a neighbor who came by the office 15 minutes before I was scheduled to finish, wait, walk me out of the front door to an Uber they called and they went one way and I went home. They will release you to someone waiting, but they don't track what happens when you walk through the door. You could pay a task rabbit person to do either the entire wait and trip home or the wait and walk out then go your separate ways.
In NYC, a friend paid her off duty doorman to walk her home. He went on duty a half hour after they got to the building. She said he tried to refuse the pay, but she insisted.
People are genuinely nice and would help a friend or neighbor who is in a pinch.
As a friend, I would much rather drive you home from a medical procedure that was being done to maybe save you than visit you in the hospital or come to a wake bc you put off the procedure.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:58 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
I also had a procedure where I had a neighbor who came by the office 15 minutes before I was scheduled to finish, wait, walk me out of the front door to an Uber they called and they went one way and I went home. They will release you to someone waiting, but they don't track what happens when you walk through the door. You could pay a task rabbit person to do either the entire wait and trip home or the wait and walk out then go your separate ways.
In NYC, a friend paid her off duty doorman to walk her home. He went on duty a half hour after they got to the building. She said he tried to refuse the pay, but she insisted.
People are genuinely nice and would help a friend or neighbor who is in a pinch.
As a friend, I would much rather drive you home from a medical procedure that was being done to maybe save you than visit you in the hospital or come to a wake bc you put off the procedure.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:58 PM on July 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: This is the reason I haven't had a colonoscopy. I get that it isn't safe to drive after, but the requirement to have someone sit in the waiting room for hours is what frosts me. I do not have any local friends, and my only local family member is 86 and does not drive anymore.
This thread has been helpful. The idea of mutual aid societies, time banks, etc. never occurred to me.
I wonder how many people have died because they didn't get an -oscopy because they had no one local to waste time on a weekday. It's presumptuous to assume everyone either has such a person or the money to buy one. If the medical industry wants to implement this rule, they should also come up with a solution.
posted by Flock of Cynthiabirds at 5:28 AM on July 29, 2022 [9 favorites]
This thread has been helpful. The idea of mutual aid societies, time banks, etc. never occurred to me.
I wonder how many people have died because they didn't get an -oscopy because they had no one local to waste time on a weekday. It's presumptuous to assume everyone either has such a person or the money to buy one. If the medical industry wants to implement this rule, they should also come up with a solution.
posted by Flock of Cynthiabirds at 5:28 AM on July 29, 2022 [9 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ALeaflikeStructure at 1:29 PM on July 28, 2022 [5 favorites]