Doctor’s staff saves the day

 I went to my family doctor for a follow-up appointment after my hip replacement surgery via Handi-Transit. I had confirmed the arrangements for my rides there and back the day before.

I had an excellent van driver take me to my doctor’s. He knew exactly how to prepare the vehicle for someone who had just had a hip replacement and was so patient and helpful.

My pick-up time was 2:30 p.m. and when no vehicle had come by 3:00 p.m., Suzanne, the lab technician, very kindly called the Handi-Transit office to see if they would be arriving shortly. After a very long wait, she was told that I had cancelled the rides. She explained that the rides had not been cancelled. The Handi-Transit person said they would send a car in a half an hour and Suzanne explained that I could not get in a car because of my hip surgery, that I needed a van. The Handi-Transit person said I had come in a car so I could go home in one.

I was stuck as I had not gone in a car because I couldn’t get in a car.

Suzanne phoned two taxi companies to see if they had a van available to pick me up, but they did not.

Melinda, Dr. Hayward’s office assistant, phoned her husband and he kindly agreed to pick me up in their van and drive me home.

To be polite, Suzanne phoned Handi-Transit to say we had found a van to drive me home. The call took so long and she had to return to work so Amber, Dr. Hayward’s receptionist, took over the call.

I would like to thank my angels at Dr. Hayward’s office, Suzanne, Melinda, Melinda’s husband, Amber and, of course, Dr. and Mrs. Hayward, for going through all this trouble to get me back home. They went above and beyond anything I could have asked for. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

— Vicky Gustafson