Walk out or chicken out on test last minute?

7of9

Anyone here ever walk out when the tests were running behind? I had an ultrasound scheduled for today after 6 month check up and didn't want to worry husband (today was his birthday too) nor my 69 year old mother who I had watching my son - told her I had to run 'errands" this afternoon but would be home by 4:30 - 5. The damn testing area was running over 2 hours behind and I couldn't stay or my cover would have been blown...besides I was so mad about wasting the hour and a half I'd waited. I was both angry ....and relieved! I know that they run over (seems like this area does ALL the time) but to not tell me when I checked in just how far behind...I had to really push on the receptionist and threaten to walk out if she didn't tell me how far behind they were....they still had 3 people in front of me when I left. On top of it I got the "some women had complications or they were finding problems" spiel...which I told the receptionists I knew because I was one of those people a few years ago. That doesn't give them the right to knowingly hold people up for hours and hours...plus the time to take off of work, drive downtown, pay for parking....sorry, guess this is a bit of a rant as much as a question...

leggo

Hi 7. Your post caught my eye because of the chickening out. I'm pretty patient usually, so waiting doesn't bother me and I know how many complications they can run into. Radiologists are so super busy, here anyway. What it does do though, is give me way too much time to think. If I have to sit there more than an hour....thinking about what they're going to find this time, I go through a whole "what difference is it going to make to know" scenario. I've walked on more than one occasion. Then I feel stupid and then I have to deal with the questions when the onc calls to ask me what gives. Big old ugly circle of mind games. I do agree though, that it seems they overbook but I think they often have no choice. Ironically, the longest wait I've ever had was at an optometrist's office. That irritated me because I know for sure that's just a case of the optometrist trying to make more money for the day. I hope you got some good news on your ultrasound.

pajim

I've never walked out, but used to get regularly annoyed when the radiation people were running hours behind. I finally asked them why they couldn't post it on the web someplace so I could see how far behind before I showed up???!?!?! At least the radiation people tell you how far behind they are as you arrive. That your testing center wouldn't tell you is unconscionable in my view.

My antidote to this for testing is to schedule my scans for first thing in the morning. Like 7:30 or 8:00am. Then I'm the first or second patient and they don't have time to get behind.