After Twenty Years My Appointment Was Canceled

I haven’t been to a doctor in 20 years.

About a month ago I was able to get my wife and I some medical care at a sliding scale clinic. I don’t know if you can check my post history to see the latest post I made to get the story so far...

Well, I had an appointment set for myself today.

They called and left a message early this morning to cancel it.

I’m both relieved (I didn’t want to go) and bummed (because I need some kind of help).

My wife immediately said to reschedule. I’m not really inclined too. I take this as the powers that be telling me that it wasn’t meant to be.

I guess I really don’t have a question other than: do you believe that what happens happens for a reason? Perhaps I don’t need help and this cancellation is proof.

20 years. I thought that this might be an opportunity for some kind of relief. I guess not.

I believe that the best way to use your energy in this situation is to do what works...meaning, you need to see a doctor, you know that you do, so yes - reschedule the appointment and put your mind at ease, knowing that you have an appointment set up.

Hello there,

If I were suffering I would reschedule the appointment. I’ve had an appointment cancelled before. They did not even call and tell me. I drove all the way there. I found out the doctor had an emergency with his step-son. I wish you the best of luck.

If you are having symptoms, and your wife thinks you need to go, it is probably a good idea to reschedule.

Please don't give up on the idea of scheduling an appointment if you think it will help...if anything, I've found the mental health system to be notoriously inconsistent and unreliable, and you have to learn to advocate for yourself. Best of luck to you.

I agree, you need to reschedule. I do not believe everything happens for a reason, certainly not the cancelation of an appointment, even though I think there are times doors are opened for us and/or things sent to us to learn lessons from and grow.

I certainly don't believe God (or whatever else you may believe) would cancel an appointment as a way to prove something.

I agree, if your wife feels you need to go then trust her. She's lived with you and knows you. Sometimes we don't recognize for ourselves when we need help.

I used to think everything happens for a reason but I truly don't anymore. Doesn'tean I don't believe in something greater than us but that's another discussion

Reschedule. It's not a sign from the universe. Get the help you need.

You all are right, of course. I just don’t want to go. I had been anticipating this appointment for weeks and my anxiety was growing and growing.

What’s funny (odd) is that the cancellation brought both relief and more anxiety. How does that work?!

It just comes down to a deep aversion to doctors, anything doctor related, and psychiatry.

Thanks for your input in what is obviously a silly thread.

Awwww, not silly, A Hobbit.
Relief and anxiety makes sense. I hope it's totally in the relief column for you once all is said and done.

Not silly in the least! Actually, this thread has brought up an important issue in my own life. I've been seeing my current therapist for about 6 months and, in that time, she's cancelled 3 appointments. Seems a bit excessive to me - especially since 2 of the 3 cancellations occurred the very day of my appointment. There have been times when I've wondered if the cancellations are a "sign" that perhaps she isn't the right therapist for me - even though I am very fond of her.

Your comment about the combination of relief AND anxiety makes perfect sense. Seems to make even more sense when medical stuff is involved. I feel exactly the same sense of relief and anxiety when a medical appointment I have is cancelled.

Hope you do reschedule and get checked.

One doc explained it to me this way: "I'd rather see you here and have it not be important, than to die in the ER from something that waited too long."

Makes sense to me.

There are times in all of our lives that we all have to do what we need to do, whatever that may be, to solve a very important problem, no matter how difficult it turns out to be for us to do. This includes our mental and physical wellbeing. So do what you know you need to do. Reschedule. If you cannot trust yourself now in this, when can you trust yourself? BTW I do not like doctors or hospitals or medication. But I make use of all of this when I need to.