Next day. Got call at 6:00 am in morning to come and take MIL home. I said no thanks, we agreed to keep her there until 10 or so to take her to Dr. Something Surgeon’s appointment. Mentioned lack of care-giver, large hill and stairs. Person on phone retreated in confusion.
Told that I need to personally get the x-rays that were taken when we go to see Dr. Something Surgeon, I took care of this pick-up in the morning. (Waited, of course.)
BIL and I came to discharge her at 10 am. Appointment was at 11 am. We had time. Forms, change of clothes, forms, waited for someone to activate discharge. Did I mention forms? At 10:45, we were finally wheeling out of the hospital and into the parking lot. MIL had new sling and wrapped arm. Stuffed MIL into car, drove frantically to office of Dr. Something Surgeon. Wrong street, address confusing. Arrived at offices at 10:58 am. Left BIL and MIL in car as I dashed into building to sign in and get wheelchair.
Office was closed. Sign said 11 to 12 lunch hour and no new patients accepted. I frantically knocked on door, as I could see light in through privacy glass. I finally bent down and looked through letter drop. The woman at the counter looked startled. I yelled that we had an appointment with Dr. Something Surgeon that the hospital arranged. The woman asked if we were returning patients, everyone was at lunch and anyway there was no appointment on the books for MIL. After pleading my case, counter woman came and opened door, even though office mate told her not to. Counter woman informed me the hospital was always doing this, making appointments with Dr. Something Surgeon that were not accepted. Besides Dr. Something Surgeon was leaving the country for several months. She shut the door.
BIL and MIL were waiting out in the parking lot. BIL heard news about no appointment. Cell phone call to regular doctor. Explained we were sitting in a parking lot with MIL with broken arm and a need to see surgeon. Now. Regular doctor made appointment for MIL to see Dr. New Surgeon in an hour. We drove to building (across from hospital) and got wheelchair. Waited in waiting room. Filled out forms. Saw Dr. New Surgeon who was one of those that treated MIL last night at hospital. Verified the arm was broken. Made appointment to see Dr. Real Surgeon.
Out to car with wheelchair, loaded MIL in car, took her home. By this time we realized we needed to keep personal wheelchair with us and not use office ones.
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