The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

kidcat

Nurse Maggie where about the country are you? It's hard to think that you are being sent all the way to Manchester if it's that far away.
Our doctor system allows us to choose which hospital we would prefer, although usually they say I would go with this one because it has a good record of this or they say this one is quicker. Maybe you could opt did one that's easier to get to?

nursemaggie

I only have to travel 38 miles. I am in Greater Manchester but as far as I can be away and still in Greater Manchester.

Each hospital in the area seems to specialise in different things. I used to have enough problems in West Sussex it was 9 miles and 20 minutes in a car but because of all the big gaps between buses and trains I often had to wait over an hour between 7 minute journeys so it used to take me 3 1/2 hours to do that journey. I could sometimes fit in two departments on one trip. I even managed 3 once but here it seems to mean going to distant hospitals. It is 38 miles according to Google. Google is very good with this new public transport directions. I have to go from where I live to the Station and get a train to Manchester. On the way I have to change trains three times to get on the right line for Wythenshawe. Google has given me how long I have to travel on each train. It comes to 6 1/2 hours on the train plus all the getting on and off and waiting. If you add in the two buses either end and the possible waits for half hourly services and it could take 8 to 9 hours to travel just 38 miles. I have not been given any choice of hospital because it is the only sleep clinic in Greater Manchester.

I tried the obvious a direct train from Bolton to Stockport takes just over 1 1/2 hours but I cannot get from Stockport to Wythenshawe without going all the way back into Manchester so even worse and even more expensive.

London is just over 200 miles but I can get there and back in a day easily. I rather think I will miss my appointment if I have to go back to my GP as he does not seem to have any idea what sleep apnoea is. I come on here and find about 6 of you with it. I have had a cpap machine for nearly 10 years but I am back to square one as I am not sleeping because in stead of waking up because I have stopped breathing I am waking up every few minutes every time the straps come undone because I moved. They are not usually available any where but a sleep clinic. As I am still between clinics because no one has any sense of the problems this year next year sometime never will do as far as they are concerned.

I got the letter this afternoon. Our post does not come until about 2pm. By the times I had figured out how long it would take me to get there there the appointment office was closed.

Guess what time my appointment is? 9 am so even if I had a car I would have to leave home by 6am to get there. They then tell me not to drive their. It is not advisable to drive if you have sleep apnoea.

shanks77

Welcome patent girl youwill be like part of the family in no time at all xx

Floss

Nurse Maggie, have you tried getting a bus from Manchester city centre to Wythenshawe? Or asked for volunteer driver transport, as even though you would be out all day you won't have such an extensive journey as they will go almost direct?

FairyPrincessk

Nurse Maggie,

This sounds terribly frustrating. Just wanted to suggest the journey planner here http://www.traveline-northwest.co.uk/journeyplanner/enterJourneyPlan.do

It sometimes includes options that google misses out. From Manchester City Centre you can get to the sleep clinic on bus 101 and 109 in about 50 minutes. They depart fairly regularly so you shouldn't be waiting around for ages, but there is a bit of a walk between the bus and the hospital. Say 15 minutes.

I'm not sure where you live, so obviously getting to these two legs might take some doing, but Bolton should take between 15 and 20 minutes on the train, and again the trains should be fairly regular so if you're getting something different from Google try the journey planer above. Feel free to PM me if you want a bit of help, I've relied on Manchester public transit for several years now so I know some of its wily ways.

Big hugs.x

Pooky

Morning all

Nurse Maggie - check out the volunteer driver scheme in your area, we used it for DH's appointments whilst he wasn't allowed to drive. They charge a small mileage allowance (but they tell you in advance when you book how much that will be) and they drop you to the door and wait for you to drive you home.

It might also be worth phoning the department you're going to to explain your issues, they might have an outreach clinic somewhere closer or might even be able to post bits out to you.

Kidkat - I'd get kitty to the vet as soon as you can, it will be distressing her that she's not in control of her bladder, cats being so fastidiously clean creatures. If it is cystitis then best to get it treated before it has chance to do further damage.

Off to meet DH's Dad again today for a quick look around the area and a coffee before he heads home, last nights meal was quite nice, he was very chatty and seemed to enjoy our company. DH is still feeling a bit mixed about it all.

I then get to go have snuggles with my best friends new granddaughter! She's 3 weeks old and I don't think I'll give her back

paidinchickens

If I lived nearer I would have driven you. I hope you get it sorted sounds like FP knows the lay of the land and may be able to get you there on time.

It's our Wedding anniversary today. I'm not very mobile so I don't think we'll be up to much

I hope everyone has a nice day

PiC x

[Deleted User]

Happy anniversary pic!!!

kidcat

Happy anniversary PIC

We have success ladies, isolation seems to have seriously calmed her down and she is using the separate litter tray. She slept all night as well instead of crying to be let out which was heart breaking. This morning she trotted to the door to have a wander outside before coming in to breakfast with the others. She chose a bowl in her room instead of alongside the other kitties. She has walked through the house and settled on the living room window sill for a nap now.

kezlou

Happy anniversary pic!