Everything is so much harder now.  Everything.

For those of you who have not had a doctor’s appointment in the last two months, congratulations!  For any person who has not had to schedule an appointment for themselves or a family member, count your blessings. But for anyone, especially people who have acute health problems that need urgent attention (other than COVID-19), prepare yourselves for shortened office hours, long telephone hold times or call backs, and navigating obstacles that never before existed.  As you might guess, my father falls into the last group…..needing attention for a brand new physical problem.

As Americans, we are proud of our health care system, especially during this pandemic.  We’ve always been able to call a doctor’s office, schedule an appointment, and get seen for whatever health concern we require in a timely, efficient manner.  COVID-19 has changed it all.

We are COVID Crazy, COVID Phobic, and COVID Scared.  I understand.  I’ve already been there and done that with Dad– twice– both times negative (Thank Heavens!)

Routine appointments scheduled for weeks or months in advance are suddenly cancelled if deemed “non-essential”.  Telehealth and telemedicine have become synonymous with doctor visits.  And, no matter if you are bleeding to death, having chest pain, or have a crick in your back, you still have to confirm whether or not you’ve had a cough, shortness of breath, fever, lost your taste or smell, been tested for COVID-19 or been exposed to anyone with COVID-19 before any assessment for your actual problem can begin.  Gaining access to the inside of a hospital for bloodwork or diagnostic testing is more complex than going through airport security.

My Dad has frequently scheduled visits with many ‘ologists……the cardiologist, hematologist, urologist, and a foot-ologist (please forgive me- I couldn’t help myself!)  Actually, the podiatrist- but you knew what I was referring to!!  All of the ‘ologists (except the podiatrist) have moved to virtual telehealth visits.  The receptionist at the foot doctor asked if we wanted a virtual visit, but I questioned the technology allowing my Dad’s toenails to be “virtually clipped”.  She appreciated the humor. We kept the office visit.

Welcome to the world of virtual medicine…..whether you like it or not.

In order to complete telehealth appointments, I’ve had to download apps, changed settings in my iPhone, verified browser compatibility, and dialed in to virtual waiting rooms with my 93.5 year old father multiple times in the past couple of weeks.  He doesn’t have a smart phone.  He would never be able to install new apps on the desktop.  His poor hearing (even with the best hearing aids available) makes it difficult for a health care provider to communicate with him face to face.  But, via Zoom or Epic telehealth video conference, it is even harder for Dad to understand the doctor or nurse, so I have to repeat everything to him which takes time….and patience.

But what if you have an acute problem that can not be addressed via video conference?  Earlier this week I learned to navigate the new normal of a real life, in person visit with a doctor to find the source of an acute, painful “crick” in Dad’s lower back.

On Tuesday, May 5, in a 3 hour period, Dad and I both:

• had our temperature taken 3 times EACH 
• were presented with new hospital masks, individually packaged in little paper bags, which we wore through the duration of all 3 appointments
• were each quizzed 3 times on the previously mentioned COVID questions
• were given a “hall pass” or “permission slip” to proceed past a carefully guarded entry point to attend an appointment in the hospital
• stood on carefully marked dots on the floor at all 3 different offices to wait our turn for the receptionist to check us in
• were not even allowed to touch the door handle at one office

All of this was in an attempt to get leg and back pain diagnosed.  Am I complaining?  NO.  Not at all.  Fortunately, I am a nurse, and I truly appreciate the measures being taken to protect EVERYONE from the invisible enemy of COVID-19.  For people who have not experienced having medical treatment during the last few weeks, I am simply stating that, like grocery shopping, completing the school year from home, social and sporting events, this too is different!!! 

To access healthcare, all of the new procedures and precautions require adjustments.  For me, some of the new norms, such as wearing a mask, are not so challenging.  I wore masks often when working in the hospital.  But for an elderly gentleman like my father, putting on a mask is awkward…..especially getting it secured around glasses and hearing aids!  Standing on dots on the floor denoting safe, social distance is fine as you wait for an appointment registration.  I understand the purpose.  However, when my hard-of-hearing father is standing 6 feet away from the check-in desk on his designated dot, while trying to understand the receptionist’s muffled voice as she speaks to him through a mask sitting behind a Plexiglas shield,  communication and comprehension is diminished!

My father and I persevered and patiently navigated the new protocols for COVID-19 safety.  The source of Dad’s back and leg pain were finally diagnosed.  After doppler studies and x-rays, it was determined that his circulation is extremely poor in his legs, and he has lumbar vertebrae that have slipped out of alignment.  Not much intervention can be done for either issue at his advanced age and with his other health conditions.  So we will proceed with home health physical therapy visits and pain medication, using a walker, and repositioning techniques when sitting or laying down.

May those of us who are young and strong enough not to require frequent doctor appointments need to have the patience, understanding, and empathy to help those who are frail and in declining health …..especially at this time when the once familiar and easy access to healthcare seems so foreign and difficult.

At least we will hopefully live to get through this period of so many restrictions.  God willing we will be able to look back at this time in history and see the dots fading on the floor where we once stood six feet apart.  May we soon feel safe seeking medical treatment in person, not from our phone or computer screen.

I look forward to the time I can see people’s facial expressions no longer hidden behind cloth masks.  What a wonderful day it will be when we can smile together and reflect on how “everything is so much easier now!”