Advice

[Ana1967]

Hi everyone quick question and advice just found out my husband as bowel cancer he has appointment on tuesday to see the surgeon, I'm at high risk with heart disease , crohn's disease, and lung disease, will I be able to go to his appointment with him , some ppl are saying yes others no im just baffled with it all please advice me thankyou

[Lezzers]

You would have to ask the hospital if you can attend. I've just been to Papworth with my husband & they agreed I could attend his appt (at my own risk) due to his cognitive issues.

[Ana1967 in reply to Lezzers]

Thank you Lezzers for your reply will look into it xxx

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Sorry about your husband. It must be terribly worrying, particularly till you know a bit more?

I would ring the Dept on Monday. I expect a lot of people won’t be quite sure what to do, these days! You can do without any extra worries.

I hope the Appt goes well.

[Ana1967 in reply to Kristin1812]

Awwww thank you kristen's for your reply and will phone the hospital on monday xxxx

[Bazmack48]

My hubby had hospital appointment yesterday. I rang and asked if I could accompany him, ‘of course you can’. We both had to sit outside of the hospital in the cold until called for appointment. I wasn’t allowed to go into the consulting room with him and only because I looked frozen I was allowed a seat in a cubby hole. When he had to go for X-ray I could walk with him but not allowed anywhere near the department. We both had masks on and have not left our house since 12 March. Good luck with your appointment.

[Maisie2014]

It depends on which hospital. Some are getting back to normal and have no hot wards now meaning no COVID patients. You can always wait and see on the day or ring and ask the day before. Hope everything goes well for you both. Take care.

[sturon]

This must be a very worrying time for both of you.

You have two conflicting issues. One to support your husband, and two to look after your own health. Some hospitals have stopped all visiting. I was in hospital last week and I couldn't have anyone with me.

To incidence of COVID - 19 is reducing but it has not gone away and hospitals are still seeing COVID patients.

I personally would advise you not to go with your husband, but of course only you can make that decision. If the consultant is okay why not ask if your husbands consultation can be recorded. That way you can be part of the consultation after and hear what was said. Most professionals will understand that these are difficult times and will know how important it is for you to both keep safe but also support your loved one. You can always telephone the consultant's secretary to ask if there this approach is okay.

If they are allowing relatives to go and you decided to go you will need to wear a face covering in the hospital, this comes into effect on Monday.

I hope all goes well for both of you. Take care.

[MydogBrandy]

Ahh bless you. I know how you feel, my Colin had to go to hospital and he is vulnerable and I was worried sick. I rang them and they said it was a “clean” hospital with regards to the virus. We both wore masks AND gloves and sat in the car until 5 minutes before the appointment time. There was a sink near the entrance and a nurse was asking everyone to wash their hands, we were asked to take our gloves off, wash our hands and then we could put our gloves back on??? Which I thought was ???? so I refused and said we would wash our hands with gloves ON . This was accepted .

It is so sad that we have to on top of everything also have the stress of just going to hospital appointments which causes anxiety . Keep safe x

[Handel]

Good luck to you both. I'd call the hospital and ask if you can go. I should imagine they'll say there's no problem but you'll probably have to wait outside the hospital until the appointment time and follow all their instructions ref masks and hand washing.

Keep us posted xxxxx

[lizk1993]

Hi there, don't usually say anything on this forum as it's been years since I had a heart attack and bypass. My own personal opinion is that it would be risky for you to go to your husband's appointment with him, but a thought struck me. A lot of the hospitals have go themselves geared up for remote appointments - would it be possible for you to ask the hospital if they could do that, your husband being there personally and you using their virtual appointment facility - if they have one. I think it's worth asking anyway.

Hope things go well for you both, in any case.

Liz