Getting to doctors appointments

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Noirvault

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tx
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Irving
First off..I'm still undiagnosed with anything other than being about 9 sizes smaller than 4 yrs ago. I was about 160 lbs then so...

Anyways.. I wonder if anyone has this problem. My doc has sent me to a whole host of specialists on various occasions and they're all located deep within the bowels of this monstrosity of a hospital. If you live in Dallas you might know of the 'hospital district' but to get there i have to cross a busy highway then make it to the front door. This is close to 2 blocks IF I find a parking space close by.. Once inside the front door it's another block to the elevators. Up to 3 blocks now.. Then another block or two to the offices IF I can even find them which I usually can't.
The problem I have is it's a long walk with my cane from the house to the car. I have to walk around the house to get to it. By the time I get to it my ankles are toast and I collapse into the drivers seat and have to recover from that alone.

I have nobody to help so I'm on my own with this. We have a wheel chair, but the damned thing is now to heavy for me to lift much less wheel 4 blocks up and down curbs and around people and whatever else is in the way.. So...Any suggestions?
 
My thought is to find a driver who'll take you to the hospital door and drop you there. Most hospital doors have wheelchairs in the vacinity for a patient's use. If you cannot find some kind soul to do the driving, consider getting a rollator type walker. You need a rollator now, incidentally, since the cane isn't handling your real need inside the house. They have a seat and locks which require very little strength so that you can just sit when tired. Also, if the hospital has valet service, you might either let them park your car for you, or else take a rollator (or your wheelchair) out of the trunk. Hope there's an idea here that helps you--and my sympathy for your plight.

Oh--if you should want a rollator, your primary care doc should be able to write a script...or you can hunt the websites and pay about half the cost of an in-store walker.

Ann
 
Hi Anne

Yep..got one of those and it works to a point. Then my arms get tired holding myself up and it's like pushing the proverbial Cadillac up hill with a rope after a while. My problem is I HATE asking people for help and I am flat broke. I live with an old woman who gives me room and board in exchange for her care and we're both becoming to weak to care for each other now days. Usually when I ask for help there's always some string attached with a time bomb tied to it.. Know what i mean?
I'm probably going to end up back in Ohio with my daughter and no health care at all which doesn't appeal to me..sleeping and living on a couch with grand kids bouncing off the walls.. I love my grand kids, but.. well, u know..:roll:
 
Oh, my... Well, if it had been an easy problem, I'm sure you wouldn't have needed to post it. I am sorry, though. You seem to need a powerchair now... not after finally getting a d x.
 
Yeah..Life ain't easy.. It's especially not easy when you spend your whole life making it even more uneasy like I did.. If I had a time machine I'd go back in time and slap myself daily and twice on Sundays. I made my bed.. I think it's a result more of me screwing up. I remember a gym teacher telling us,"You cheat your girlfriend, but not your body."... I didn't buy it so I treated her like a queen and myself like crap.. ..Oh well..I'm not really complaining that I am what I am.. I just kind of wish I could have been a slight bit less reckless with myself..
I have to admit..that couch gets more attractive with time, but I do enjoy my peace and quiet here so..half dozen of one or six of the other.
I guess at some point I'll swallow this junk pride..Isn't pride one of the seven deadly sins?
 
Now that you have ALS you get disability and medicare with in three months of filing also I am sure you could get assistance living
here we have a nursing home with semi small apartments they cook your meals or help you with what you might need. You might
check into this. I am sure someone can help.
 
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