QUESTION OF THE DAY, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

neely

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Since Covid and the pandemic I put off doctor appointments, labs, tests or any type of medical procedure that wasn't absolutely mandatory. Hospitals, doctors, nurses, technicians, etc. were overworked and not handling routine check-ups or elective procedures. But I finally scheduled my mammogram today - it's long overdue!

Even vets were inundated with mandatory restrictions and guidelines which made it more difficult for clients to schedule appointments for their pets. In some cases vets were referring people to a nearby emergency clinic.

So for today's QUESTION OF THE DAY -
IS THERE A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT OR PROCEDURE THAT YOU PUT OFF AND NEED TO SCHEDULE?
 

DownTheLane

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Not really, last January was actually one of the few times I went to the GP. Most of the consultations are over the phone, but after discussing it a bit, I had to have a physical intake conversation with the mental health professional in the office. It just so happened that during this time I've been having way more appointments scheduled than ever before.
 

misty8723

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I got a lot of appointments done in April before my employer insurance ran out: GYN, Mammogram, routine dental and eye exam. I've been going to my PCP for blood work etc. I scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist for August (earliest they had). Husband went to a cardiologist in April and had a nuclear stress test at the hospital, also his routine dental and eye exam (again, before my employer insurance ran out). we both needed minor dental work. I think that's it for us.

Kitties both had their annual check up/rabies shot visits, end of last year. The vet was doing curbside drop off. You call when you get there, a tech comes out and gets them. You can wait in the parking lot (we did). They call you when kitty is ready, take payment, and the vet brings kitty out and talks to you. They're still doing that, except you now have the option for one person to be in the room with the kitty or curbside dropoff. Fortunately, both my kitties are healthy. She said she couldn't find any issues at all with Austin, and it's rare that she doesn't find at least something. Cricket (who is older) had a couple minor issues but nothing to be concerned about.
 

Elphaba09

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I hate leaving my house, so I put off anything that I can. I should not, but I do. I have been extra happy since most of my therapy appointments have been on video chat rather than in the office.

Let us see...
I am almost two years behind on my mammogram, officially 7 months late on my regular blood work, five months behind on my annual leg ultrasounds (I am at risk for blood clots in my bad leg), a year and a half behind on my dental check-up, a few months behind on my followup appointment for my torn meniscus in my good leg (It still hurts, and now I am afraid I might need surgery), and I have not called the gastroenterologist concerning my heartburn and random vomiting. Oh! And I am a year and a half late for my check-ups with my cardiologist and my vascular specialist. (The vascular specialist is for my bad leg and my lipedema.)

I am happy my husband can not see this list!
 

fionasmom

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I put nothing behind unless a doctor called and said specifically that he was not going to open the office during the worst of the pandemic. I was okay with that because it meant that I was one of the patients that the particular doctor was not worried about.

I did not want any "surprises" later one. The offices I did go to where all pristine in their care and followed all protocol exactly, so I felt safe.

All kitties and the dog went in as needed.
 

Whenallhellbreakslose

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I did see a number of doctors during the pandemic, except the Dentist and my GP. I was suppose to get my annual physical exam which I am putting off till I lose more weight and bring down my Cholesterol naturally. I really rather go about dealing with the problem naturally and not with Statins. I am stubborn about it.
 

denice

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Everything got caught up once I had my two vaccines. I still do need to get a Tetanus booster and a shingles vaccine. Apparently Medicare now requires that These be done at a pharmacy rather than the doctors office.
I got my first shingles shot and my first pneumonia shot done at the pharmacy last week. She said I could get the second shingles shot when I get my flu shot. The second pneumonia shot is next year. I do still need a tetanus booster. I think the pharmacy has become the primary place for vaccines now. I haven't had any issues so far with bad reactions to vaccines so I am okay with going to the pharmacy.

I am behind on everything. I need to make appointments and get everything done hopefully before winter. Our last few winters have been mild so we are due for a bad one.
 

lizzie

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I did put them off but in the last couple of weeks got everything done including a bone density scan.Everything came back fine,but they did make a note that I need to start taking calcium daily.Hubby goes for the last of his Friday,and then we're good for awhile.
 

allmykitties

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I had put things off, but I'm all caught up now. It really wouldn't have made a difference, because when I had the symptom, I got an appointment pretty quickly and then had to make my way through various testing and referral to another doctor (twice, once from pcp to gyn, then from gyn to gyn-oncologist). The condition was probably there, but the tests that would be done would not have caught the cancer (endometrial adenocarcinoma does not cause any change in the pap smear unless you are stage 2).

I had my post-op visit yesterday, and my stage is 1b, and that means that it was all removed with the hysterectomy (complete), and that my follow up can be with my gyn (in my town, the oncologist is 80 miles away). I'll be having appointments every three months for two years, then six months for the next two years, and then I'll be back to annual visits.
 
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