I scheduled first Zoom apptmn't in lieu of in-person annual visit with doc. Had to purchase and pay for home install of webcam and computer tune-up with computer guru...but Before I could have him come, had to declutter and dust. Dusting,vacc, clearing & cleaning desk and computer room took longer because I had to first declutter the area...medical folder on sofa, recipe folder on sofa, notebooks and other debris on desk and tables...seems that a "next task" always requires a "but first" ahead of the new action.
With Covid cases skyrocketing here, I've been in self-quarantine for months so the last thing I was willing to do was schedule a clinic lab visit and trust a crowded waiting area with patients.
Main purpose of annual visit is for doc to renew daily prescriptions for the year. Was told when asked for phone visit for that purpose that doc would not do "phone" but would do a Zoom in order to write "temporary" refills...no idea how long "temp." means but hoping for at least 90 days because virus here is rampant and not slowing down with so many defying infectious disease experts guidelines. While royally resenting that Zoom must make the visit more "chargeable than phone" and knowing that time would be limited, I wrote out 3 issues to address with doc.
In prepping for the visit, I realized how slack I'd become on jotting down med. appt/lab dates in a small spiral that becomes a running record and reference guide. Not one entry for 2020 recorded!
Sorting through calendars and receipts, I spent quite some time organizing, updating and recording med/script/lab info. Much like how behind I'd become in keeping up and recording other finan./tax data this past year, here was another paperwork project to take care of "Before apptmnt" because I needed some med info for doc visit.
The Big Day Yesterday turned into a Non-Event. I was prepped and ready for 3 pm apptmn't. My Zoom worked but clinic connection kept breaking. Was finally told that clinic was waiting for technical help; be patient maybe 30-45 minutes and would be ready. Several call backs from clinic and re-attempts had me sitting far too long at the computer.
Caught up with some paper sorting and computer sites but by 5 pm and still no access, my back was hurting and I was truly out of sorts...had even put on make-up and "tamed" my hair for the Big occasion. Bosh Humbug! Called at 5:30 and told would be called this aft. for another try. Harumph!!! Hair can look like a cross between Phyliis Diller and Prime Minister, Boris Johnson for all I care today!!! Nor will I waste any "artifical beauty" to become a bit easier on the eyes of the doc today...she can see me as I've been for months... au natural!!
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FlowerPreciousLover
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What a lively post FPL, made me realise that I have to have a good sort out too. Zoom is a brilliant invention when it works so I hope it all goes well this afternoon. I would say that au natural is best. Let your doctor see how things are for you on a day to day basis. Covid is sky rocketing here too and we’re awaiting the call to be vaccinated, whenever that comes. Let us know how things go for you.
I've been purposely "slow" on electronic advancements and was really nervous about this scheduled doc visit.
Waited in vain all afternoon yesterday for a call or new appt schedule but no call came...so glad I didn't try to "gussie up a bit"! lol
Instead received a totally unexpected call from my young magic computer installer who wanted to know how the "doc visit" went. How nice was that ???? He chuckled when told of the Zoom glitch on the doc's end.
I enjoyed reading your post and recognised a lot of frustration in it that a many people will identify with. There are so many technical issues aren't there with links. My poor 82 year old mum was left waiting in a queue for her first vaccine jab, outside a community centre in the freezing cold the other day along with 20 other over 80s. All because of a technical fault with their computer system.
It would be good if we had a functioning broadband system for times like this. We live in the countryside and our signal is almost non existent.
I agree that being as natural as possible is the best! Let the GP see how it is for you. I hope you manage to get your consultation soon.
Kind you, Helen, for responding and understanding my lack of confidence for the doc Zoom meeting!
Really regret hearing about your elderly mum's freezing long wait in line for the vaccine! Hope she did get the vaccine and suffered no lingering side effects from outside cold.
Our local health department got so jammed with calls requesting vacc apptmn'ts that elders in my city surged down to the dept to stand in very longs lines hoping that without appts, they'd still be given the vaccine.
Dept. had limited supply and many were turned away. The dept director made a plea on local news that efforts were underway to provide more phone appts but in the meantime, the dept had a limited number of available vaccines and surging numbers showing up without appointments could add to the spread.
My daughter's family lives in a mountainous area and oftimes our reg. telephone connection is broken. While we are so fortunate to be living in a time of many wonderful inventions and discoveries, it can become frustrating when there are glitches.
Wishing you and all a return to more normalcy during this new year!
Hi, thank you for your reply. Mum did manage to get her vaccination but has been suffering with a cold, which I think was as a result of being outside for so long. Hopefully, they will have sorted this out in time for her second injection. I hope you manage to get your vaccines soon for the elderly population who seem more at risk. It is a logistical challenge for our health services, but one which they really need to meet as soon as possible to safeguard people's health.
It is never a good idea to put a good face on things as then they think you are fine and don't need help. I don't mean you should get out your wooden leg and make sure the woodworm have been keeping themselves busy during lock down, and don't tell lies but if you dont tell them they can't be expected to know. Its the same thing when you applying for any sort of benefit,Unless you can walk freely across the car park everyday, the answer to the question " can you walk across the car park?"must be now They speak a different language there and if you get help in form filling from support organisations that is how they will do it
FredaE, I so agree that glossing over the truth is never the best approach!
Your wooden leg/woodworm busyness brought a smile!
Thank you for reading my post and your reply! Best to you and all going forward in this brand new year of added hope.
I think you've handled this really well FlowerPreciousLover. Like you I'm not a big fan of Zoom but given our current situation, it's a sensible thing to consider it, especially for medical matters. But you've experienced its limitations and that's why I am no great fan either. It's often an exercise in frustration. But if you do manage to eventually have a successful consultation, it's a great idea to jot down a few things you wanted to ask, and have a pen and paper to write down any really important points from your consultation that you need to refer back to, after your Zoom meeting is over.And I really do empathise with that phenomenon of one task leading to another and another which ends up filling our days with endless trivia, lockdown or no lockdown.
Be prepared for the fact that the meeting will eventually go ahead on a day when you are in your pyjamas with the Phyllis Diller hair. That's life! 🤣
Continue to take great care and stay as safe as possible!
Yes! I learned some time ago to write down specific issues/concerns to broach with my docs and had one ready with 3 for this appt. I leave space on the sheet for doc's replies as well.
While I always admire posters who seem to have become energized during these times of more time at home and am impressed at all they accomplish, this hasn't occurred for me. Instead, while fully functional, I seem to move from one day to the next in something of a haze, getting done what needs to be done but not taking on those large culling actions others report.
Cautioned callers yesterday that I might have to end visit quickly due to expected call from doc, I might not have bothered. No call or reschedule but today is another day. Maybe it will happen before I need to re-clear the computer desk and room???
Smiles to you and all for the shares and support these wonderful forums provide!!!
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