well, that did not go well
RNY on 09/13/12
Kelly, I'm so sorry you had all that trouble finding the clinic. I can certainly understand your anxiety response; I'd probably be in the same boat.
Is there someone who could either drive you to your next appointment, or at least go with you to help you navigate?
Not re-scheduling is not an option! It sounds like you really need the expertise of this clinic to get some much-deserved help. Get back on the phone with them as soon as you are able, and explain what happened. They will probably be very understanding, and can maybe give you some help in finding their office.
For whatever it's worth, I googled Cleveland Clinic, and discovered there are 20+ buildings in the complex! That would be totally overwhelming for me! Did you find their 3-D map? If not, here it is:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/locations_directions/main-camp us/campus-map/default.aspx?filterId=Parking
I hope this helps. If I can help you in any way (I will call the office myself and ask for explicit directions, and then message/e-mail or post them for you), please let me know.
Beth
Is there someone who could either drive you to your next appointment, or at least go with you to help you navigate?
Not re-scheduling is not an option! It sounds like you really need the expertise of this clinic to get some much-deserved help. Get back on the phone with them as soon as you are able, and explain what happened. They will probably be very understanding, and can maybe give you some help in finding their office.
For whatever it's worth, I googled Cleveland Clinic, and discovered there are 20+ buildings in the complex! That would be totally overwhelming for me! Did you find their 3-D map? If not, here it is:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/locations_directions/main-camp us/campus-map/default.aspx?filterId=Parking
I hope this helps. If I can help you in any way (I will call the office myself and ask for explicit directions, and then message/e-mail or post them for you), please let me know.
Beth
I don't think there is anyone that can go with me. My partner can't take off work because he hasn't been at this job very long. I don't have any other friends or family nearby - my sister and my mother live about three hours away, in the opposite direction. Plus they have to work too.
I was thinking maybe I'd just make an appointment with a doctor in my town. I was just thinking the Cleveland Clinic would be a good choice because there doesn't seem to be an easily-diagnosed reason for the pain, and since I can't take NSAIDS that makes it harder to treat, and everything. But maybe a local doctor would be able to help.
I hadn't seen the 3-D map. I just got directions from Mapquest. I didn't even realize there were that many buildings! I mean, I had the idea it was big, but geez...Why on earth would they not have the buildings clearly marked and have signs and stuff if there are that many buildings?
I may take you up on your offer to call them for me. That is really, really nice of you to offer. I'll PM you if I need you to do that. Thanks so much.
I was thinking maybe I'd just make an appointment with a doctor in my town. I was just thinking the Cleveland Clinic would be a good choice because there doesn't seem to be an easily-diagnosed reason for the pain, and since I can't take NSAIDS that makes it harder to treat, and everything. But maybe a local doctor would be able to help.
I hadn't seen the 3-D map. I just got directions from Mapquest. I didn't even realize there were that many buildings! I mean, I had the idea it was big, but geez...Why on earth would they not have the buildings clearly marked and have signs and stuff if there are that many buildings?
I may take you up on your offer to call them for me. That is really, really nice of you to offer. I'll PM you if I need you to do that. Thanks so much.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
happy_baker
on 5/1/12 5:36 am
on 5/1/12 5:36 am
RNY on 02/15/12
Y'know, I have never had anxiety in my life. I'm not a stresser. But if there's one thing that is SURE to trigger a full-on meltdown, it's being lost and/or late. And if you put them together, yeah, I'm done. Stick a fork in me, I'll be sobbing on the side of the road, guaranteed.
You're definitely not alone. I think, for most people, those are some pretty major stressors. Don't beat yourself up--I think you reacted pretty much the exact way many of us would. Just get some rest tonight and start looking for a new (and less ridiculous) clinic.
You're definitely not alone. I think, for most people, those are some pretty major stressors. Don't beat yourself up--I think you reacted pretty much the exact way many of us would. Just get some rest tonight and start looking for a new (and less ridiculous) clinic.

_._._._._. _._._._._. _._._._._. _._._._._. _._._._._. _._._._._. _._._._._. _._._._._.
Check out my video blog! www.youtube.com/user/HappilyShrinking/videos
Highest weight: 269. Surgery weight: 233. Goal weight: 144, and then we'll see..

Check out my video blog! www.youtube.com/user/HappilyShrinking/videos
Highest weight: 269. Surgery weight: 233. Goal weight: 144, and then we'll see..

I can totally relate. The Cleveland Clinic is HUGE!! The word 'clinic' always makes me think of a small place not 20+ buildings covering 10 or so blocks.
The upside of the Clinic is that they have a great reputation, although for back and spine, Univeristy Hospitals of Cleveland (which is nearly as huge and just as confusing) would be my choice.
If you come back or go to UH for that matter (which is right down the same street a bit), the main enterance is on Euclid Avenue. There are parking garages and valet parking if you choose. There is also a parking garage on Carnegie Ave (which is one block South of Euclid Ave, the main street) that connects to all of the buildings though walkways.
I wish you good luck on getting the pain taken care of. I see my pain Dr. (at UH Anesthsia Pain Management) every 3 months for some post-surgical damage to my neck, and would be non-functional without him.
I'm SURE you're not the first person who missed an appointment because you got lost. Don't give up!
The upside of the Clinic is that they have a great reputation, although for back and spine, Univeristy Hospitals of Cleveland (which is nearly as huge and just as confusing) would be my choice.
If you come back or go to UH for that matter (which is right down the same street a bit), the main enterance is on Euclid Avenue. There are parking garages and valet parking if you choose. There is also a parking garage on Carnegie Ave (which is one block South of Euclid Ave, the main street) that connects to all of the buildings though walkways.
I wish you good luck on getting the pain taken care of. I see my pain Dr. (at UH Anesthsia Pain Management) every 3 months for some post-surgical damage to my neck, and would be non-functional without him.
I'm SURE you're not the first person who missed an appointment because you got lost. Don't give up!
I'm so sorry you had such a frustrating trip. I can tell you, though, that the map and directions that they included with my packet (when I had that whole week's worth of tests and dr appointments set up at the CC as a last resort of the surgeon here would not do the exploratory surgery), the map and directions were both confusing and because my appointments were in several different builkdings, they actually suggested that I stay in one of the hotels right at the clinic and that way I could make use of the shuttle services and not ahve to worry about parking and finiding the proper buildings! I ended up not having to go, of course, but it was a bit daunting just looking at it all.
I would say that they need to invest in some better signage!
Hope you feel better. Perhaps in a few days you will feel strong enough to call them back and reschedule (and get very specific directions).
Lora
I would say that they need to invest in some better signage!
Hope you feel better. Perhaps in a few days you will feel strong enough to call them back and reschedule (and get very specific directions).
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
RNY on 09/13/12
Kelly, I've been doing a little digging, and found out a few things:
Looks like the Spine Institute is in Building "S", which is just adjacent to the Main Entrance to the clinic. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/locations_directions/locations -index/main-campus/default.aspx
Here is a map that might help:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/locations_directions/main-camp us/driving-directions/sbuilding/default.aspx#get_directions
To get directions from your location to parking garage "P1":
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/locations_directions/main-camp us/driving-directions/p1/default.aspx#get_directions
From the parking garage, cross Euclid Ave., and the "S" building appears to be the 2nd building on the right.
Of course, you have probably figured all this out on your own, but just in case. . .
Beth
Looks like the Spine Institute is in Building "S", which is just adjacent to the Main Entrance to the clinic. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/locations_directions/locations -index/main-campus/default.aspx
Here is a map that might help:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/locations_directions/main-camp us/driving-directions/sbuilding/default.aspx#get_directions
To get directions from your location to parking garage "P1":
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/locations_directions/main-camp us/driving-directions/p1/default.aspx#get_directions
From the parking garage, cross Euclid Ave., and the "S" building appears to be the 2nd building on the right.
Of course, you have probably figured all this out on your own, but just in case. . .

Beth
They did tell me it was in building S. But I didn't see any buildings labeled with letters. I was driving up and down Euclid Ave, and I also don't know which of the buildings was the main entrance. I don't think it was labeled that way, either.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
RNY on 01/13/12
When that kind of thing happens to me, I call the doctor's office from my cell phone and explain where I am, and then ask them to tell me exactly how to get to where they are. Keep them on the phone if you have to as you find your way there.
Don't feel like an idiot--did you get lost or confused on purpose? No. You judge yourself wayyyy more harshly than others do--they are too involved in their own issues and concerns to give much thought to your intelligence!
Believe in yourself--s*** happens!
Don't feel like an idiot--did you get lost or confused on purpose? No. You judge yourself wayyyy more harshly than others do--they are too involved in their own issues and concerns to give much thought to your intelligence!
Believe in yourself--s*** happens!