Looking for input on upcoming medical appointments

[rosarugosa]

DH and I both have important medical appointments in the next couple of weeks, and we're trying to decided what to do. They cannot be blown off, but they could be put off a bit if necessary.
My appointment is a follow-up diagnostic test in an outpatient facility in the suburbs. I already postponed it once, when they were saying that we all just needed to stay home for 2 weeks and it fell within that period. Now it falls within the period that MA is supposed to be peaking with Covid cases (and we are a pretty hard hit state). On the one hand, I"m hearing that people are staying away from medical facilities if at all possible, so maybe it would be a good time to go because less people. There is an urgent care clinic at this facility, but people are being instructed to call instead of coming in if they have any Covid-like symptoms. I assume more serious cases would be directed to the nearby hospital ER. On the other hand, more Covid cases in the state certainly translates to increased risk anyplace that we go.
DH's appointments are at a large Boston hospital and I think we're more inclined to postpone those. There are 2 appointments 3 hours apart. We would usually walk around a bit and have lunch in the hospital cafeteria in between appointments, but that doesn't seem like such a good plan right now. I don't even know if I would be allowed to accompany him, and I do think it's important for me to be with him for one of the appointments.
What do my wise friends of the SLF think?

[Simplemind]

Dh's appointments have been canceled, moved and canceled twice by the Doctor's office. They keep moving them out perhaps yours will be the same as the time gets closer. He had a stroke mid March and is still waiting for his scans.

[Teacher Terry]

We cancelled all of ours.

[SteveinMN]

During another virtual physical therapy appointment today, my PT mentioned that the clinic is scheduling in-clinic appointments starting in mid-May. They'll be alternating staff so there aren't many practitioners and patients in the clinic at any one time. The other weeks, they'll be conducting more virtual appointments. Of course, every state is at a different stage with this outbreak, but I confirmed that my next appointment could be virtual if I were not comfortable going to the clinic. It can be. As much as I'd like to get out of the house, I do not plan to visit a medical clinic any time soon, particularly for a visit that does not need to be hands-on.

For what it's worth, our neighbors (both being treated for cancer) are going to their clinics for radiation treatment/whatever, but they go alone; spouses are not allowed to accompany patients. Not like my wife has gone with me, but that's a concern for some people.

Virtual appointments may not be an option for some visits. But this outbreak isn't going to be over just because some government official or head of a medical clinic says so. l'd wait, if possible.

[Gardnr]

Well, you didn't say what your diagnostic is........

If there is nothing that is life-threatening, I would cancel and reschedule for September. As a RN, no way I would want to go near a healthcare anything until WELL after the curve is headed down in the area.

I postponed a wellness appt that was 4/27 and put it in September. I was shocked that she sounded surprised.

[Yppej]

I am also in RR's peaking state and got an email that I need to schedule an eye exam. I don't think so!

[jp1]

I would agree that if delay is not going to have negative consequences for your treatment plan, and you're not in pain that could be mitigated by going, then you should reschedule for a few months from now.

[Tradd]

I would agree that if delay is not going to have negative consequences for your treatment plan, and you're not in pain that could be mitigated by going, then you should reschedule for a few months from now.

Ditto.

[ToomuchStuff]

Right now, the doctors are more the ones controlling the cancellations. One boss had his podiatrist appointment cancelled, as well as his port check up. He is barely able to walk in his wore out special shoes and weeks away from starting Dialysis.
The other, has been getting headaches, as his eye doctor closed, the day his replacement for broken glasses were supposed to come in, however he ended up in the hospital twice (once for very low blood sugar), in the last few weeks. He was supposed to be going in for something specialized, but I don't believe he did, based on what he said they said. (he has put it off before)
Then a friend whose mother has been in the hospital more often then not, since last September, was sent home this week, still with an infection (not covid), and an IV, to an elderly husband, who really doesn't have the skills needed.

[Tammy]

I would avoid any appointment that is not absolutely necessary.

[catherine]

My husband had a regular procedure on March 26. He went alone, and he said the hospital was extremely professional and careful. They greeted him at the door with full hazmat suits on, demanded to see his prescription and his ID, walked him to the clinic, and did the same on the way out.

It never occurred to me to accompany him. He didn't cancel or reschedule for good reasons and the doctor didn't recommend he do so, but it's very clear that any visit to the hospital needs to be done only if absolutely necessary.

[saguaro]

DH had an appointment with his urologist on March 24th that too his surprise was not cancelled. He went in but had to have his temperature checked when he signed into the building. Had a dental appointment for April that was cancelled. He's supposed to schedule a screening colonoscopy but doesn't want to go into any medical facility unless it's absolutely necessary.

I was gearing up to set up various medical appointments for this spring, nothing urgent, just wellness checks that I would really like to get done. I am holding off for now, however because I am nervous enough just going to the grocery store.

[catherine]

I was gearing up to set up various medical appointments for this spring, nothing urgent, just wellness checks that I would really like to get done. I am holding off for now, however because I am nervous enough just going to the grocery store.

Me, too. I tend to be doctor-averse, just because I have a busy schedule and time just flies. But THIS was the year I was going to actually go to the doctor/cardiologist/radiologist for bone scan, etc. And now this.

I'm not nervous to go to the doctor--but my local doctor's office is telemedicine only for the time being.

[Sonora Shepherd]

I have to get Zolair once a month and will keep my appointment because I have to because of my destructive immune system, but I am going to be really paranoid about it. Last month I was checked at the door for symptoms and then sent to the infusion center. It will probably be a more intense this time. Fortunately we live in an area where incidence is low but they really aren't testing yet. It is just plain scary.

[Rogar]

I had a follow up appointment with my PCP that I kept and was fairly comfortable with their office procedure. The doctor explained how anyone who had traveled recently, had a fever, or cold like symptoms were escorted from their car by someone with appropriate PPE to a separate area. There was a big sign at the entrance for these people to call from their car to be allowed inside. And also how the exam rooms and main offices were disinfected. There were very few people in the waiting area. For some sort of non-critical routine exam, I'd probably wait.

[rosarugosa]

Thanks for the input everyone. DH's doctor postponed his appointments until August, so that decision was made for us. I've decided to go ahead with my appointment tomorrow since I think the risks of postponing may outweigh the risks of keeping the appointment.