If you have a chronic illness, you probably spend a good deal of time in the waiting room at doctors’ offies. Here are some things you can do while you wait.
1. Read the signs or ads on the TV aloud in a dramatic, commercial voice. Like this, “Ask your doctor today if ENBREL is right for you.” I did this to David last time we were at the rheumatologist’s office. He asked me why. I said I was practicing in case he goes blind.
2. Read the children’s books aloud to your spouse. Do funny voices for the different characters.
3. Watch something on your Ipod Touch. Just be sure you’re allowed to have it on.
4. Alphabetize the magazines on the magazine rack. Then organize them by the Dewey decimel system. What? That’s not fun for you?
5. If you’ve been waiting a really long time, do stretches. Yes, I’ve really done this! Bust out your favorite Pilates move! Most doctors knock before they enter, so you should have time to compose yourself. If not, well, your doctor will be pleased that you’re exercising, right?
6. Read a book.
7. File your nails.
8. Write a short story about a man who died in his doctor’s waiting room if you’ve been waiting for two or more hours.
9. Have a book, say War and Peace, that you only read when you are waiting at the doctor’s office. It can be quite a visual reminder to your friends, family and health care providers of just how much time you spend at the doctor’s office when they see how far you get.
10. Knit or crochet. Another visual reminder of how long you spend at the doctor’s.
11. Balance your checkbook.
12. Bring your stationary, stamps, cards, etc. and write thank you notes, birthday cards and letters to friends. This is especially good for doctor’s offices that don’t allow you to have your electronic devices on.
13. Sort through your grocery coupons, and throw away any expired ones.
14. Some offices don’t allow food or drink. If yours does, have a special drink, like a Slushie from Sonic, that is your special treat when you’re waiting. This is also useful if you’re waiting with children. As a child, my mother would feed me orange Tic-Tacs while we waited at the doctor’s office. You can take up a lot of time feeding Tic-Tacs one at a time to a seven year old!
15. Take a nap.
What’s your favorite thing to do in the waiting room?
I love my rheumatologist’s office. Even though we drive 90 miles to get there we’ve never waited over five minutes to get in – even as a work-in. They just seem super organized. But if that ever changes I’ll keep your list handy!! Could probably use it at my primary care doc’s office. Waiting is the norm there!
My husband usually falls asleep if it’s longer than 5 minutes. Or he’ll wait and try to f*rt right before they come in and blame me. I know…SO mature.
I usualy bring a book or crossword puzzles. I don’t like touching their magazines because I don’t know who touched them before me, and with a compromised immune system….
You’ve got great ideas though!
I really liked suggestion 9, and 10. We had a lot of trips to various doctor’s offices when my children were little. It was very stressful once we got into the patient waiting rooms, and the doctor seemed to take a long time coming into the room to examine someone. How very difficult it was to keep the children’s hands off the examining lights, dr.’s chairs, and those stirrups! Thanks Ashley! I finally got that off my chest! :0)
LOL- Ashley- you seriously crack me up!!! Fortunately, I don’t have to go the Crohns doc as much as I was before… or actually, I think I am supposed to be going and I haven’t been going like I should. Oops. Shhh don’t tell. But here are some of my ideas that I have done!
1) Take pictures of scary or funny medical posters hanging on the wall and send them via picture text to friends saying “Don’t let THIS happen to you.”
2) Sing. Why the heck not?
3) Stare out the window. Cause sometimes, that’s the best ya got.
4) Call your friend or mom and whine loudly about how long you’ve been waiting.
5) Check email if you can on your phone.
6) Text your boss leeting them know what is going and pray they don’t fire you for taking so long because it’s NOT your fault!!
I like the balancing the checkbook idea and the writing thank you notes! Thanks, Ashley! You are both helpful and hilarious!!
That’s great! I love it! And I’m so jealous you live in Texas!
I have a chronic illness and can’t tell you how many on your list I’ve done. Too funny! Stopping by from SITS to say hi!