Tips for Last-minute Appointment Cancellations Because of IBD

Unfortunately, last-minute cancellations happen often whenever you are diagnosed with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or any other form of IBD. As we all know too well that 1 minute you can be feeling great and within the next symptoms can ramp up and totally ruin your day and the plans that came with it.

Just recently, I had a salon appointment to color my hair. I had just found a brand new salon and was happy with the haircut they gave me, so I decided to book another appointment for color. My appointment was on a Thursday at 10 a.m. Well, it just so happened that on that Thursday morning, I woke up early with symptoms. And it happened. I was flaring.

Needing to cancel because of a flare

By 7 a.m., I knew I needed to cancel my hair appointment. Symptoms were too intense to even think about going. There was just no way I would be able to sit in a salon chair for up to 4-5 hours dying my hair with the flare I was experiencing.

I felt horrible, and a bit embarrassed, as I really didn't know the salon very well. Of course, you don't want people to think that you don't care about their time or their business. It's a lose-lose situation for both parties.

Unfortunately, the owner did not take the last-minute cancellation well. The experience left me feeling uneasy. I never want people to feel as though I do not respect their business or time. IBD is tricky and symptoms can onset out of nowhere, so dealing with this can be challenging.

So in lieu of this experience, I have a couple of tips to share about navigating cancellations.

Knowing IBD may ruin your plans...

1. Read the cancellation policy.

Always read the cancellation policy before providing a deposit and moving forward with an appointment. If you see the cancellation policy is intense, for example, that you will be charged fully for a service even if you cancel the day of, then that salon isn't for you. The reality is, having IBD means that last-minute cancellations are very possible. So only do business where there is an understanding of your situation, that being you have a medical condition.

2. Disclose that you have a medical condition.

Whenever you make an appointment somewhere new, I think it's smart to disclose that you have a medical condition and that canceling last minute may happen. See how the business owner responds. If they are willing to work with you then that's a place worthy of your business. If not, then it's important to find another place that can accommodate you.

3. Know that a deposit will be forfeited

Usually, nowadays, you need a deposit to make your appointment. At least that is how it works in my city. Know that it is standard for a place of business to keep your deposit in the event of a last-minute cancellation, which I think is fair. Just make sure you are okay with losing the percentage they require.

4. Avoid appointments during high-stress seasons.

A main lesson I learned is to not make appointments for hair during periods of high stress. When you are stressed, flares are more likely to onset unexpectedly, so be smart in the timing of your appointments.

How about you? Any tips you want to add for last-minute cancellations? Share below, we love to hear from you.