Cysto No

For weeks now I've known it was coming. Today is the day. The day of the cystoscopy. I woke nervous and scared, not entirely sure what to expect. As I began an online search of the procedure -- and most importantly, the route it would take to my bladder -- I was greeted by an e-mail from a dear San Diegan friend who was thinking of me, hoping for the best, and waiting for an update. Thank you. I needed that.

Unsure whether I could eat in the hours before my appointment, I was pining for a cup of coffee when I replied that I would indeed supply post-oscopy information, but that it might be late afternoon before I was able. After all, I hadn't been given any pre-procedure instructions. I didn't know whether I would be under local anaesthetic for a quick look-see or given either general or spinal anesthetic for a more intensive search and snip. I had no clue what time I'd be getting home or what shape I'd be in when I got there.

Moments after I'd sent my reply, my friend wrote back, offering to leave work and take me to and from the doctor. It was an incredibly sweet offer, but I couldn't accept without knowing that I'd actually need the assistance. So I called the urologist's office. First, I wanted to know if I could have my coffee. Second, I wanted to know if I would need the offered transportation.

The receptionist/nurse who answered the phone was confused for a moment as she looked up my information. She didn't understand what I was asking. Why wouldn't I eat breakfast? Why wouldn't I be able to drive home? Today was my first visit with a new doctor. I wasn't scheduled for a cystoscopy today; today's appointment was merely a consultation. It would take about an hour, she told me.

WHAT?!? How is it that when I made an appointment for a surgical procedure no one at any point informed me that my appointment was not for that procedure at all?

I had planned to have my test results sent home to my Tennessean doctor, but now it seems there will be no Californian test. A consultation today would be a waste of everyone's time; I will not be here for a future appointment.

So thanks again to my sweet friend who offered to help. The call you inspired saved me the cost of an office visit, an hour's wasted time, and a load of frustration.

And I can have my coffee too!