While this post has been sponsored by Mend, it’s a service I use and am excited to share! All opinions are 100% our own.
Before having kids, waiting rooms at doctors’ offices or clinics were just a simple way for me to catch up on the latest (or latest within the last 6 months) gossip magazines. If I was really proactive, I’d remember to bring my Kindle and get lost in a book until my name was called. If doctor’s were running late or delivering babies, it was just additional time to read or browse Facebook and a great excuse to not have to run back to the office. I definitely took advantage of our HSA with routine appointments at the chiropractor, dermatologist, dentists, wellness visits with our family practitioner, and anything else that might be beneficial to my health.
Since having children, the times have changed. I now very carefully plan appointments around the needs of my babysitters (aka the grandparents) and if it isn’t 100% necessary, all those elective appointments have been dropped from the calendar. Since having children 4 years ago, I’ve had to take my boys to the doctor’s three times and all three times have scarred me for life — because, of course it would fall on those appointments that doctor’s were running an hour behind, snacks were left at home, and tablets would run out of battery life and there’s not a toy to be found in the adult environments.
Just last week I found myself in a predicament.
With what started as seasonal allergies, I slowly began to feel worse and worse. Fatigued. Headaches. Soar Throat. As most moms do, I sucked it up and just hoped for the best, but after about 4 days of not being able to swallow without pain. The internal debate began to take place in my mind. Is this bad enough to go through the hassle of scheduling a doctor’s appointment? Can I find a sitter quickly? If not, is it bad enough to deal with the stress of waiting rooms and exam rooms?
While all these thoughts crossed my mind, I wished there was a way for someone to diagnose me at my house. (Teladoc is great, but unless technology has become amazing, there’s no way a strep test can be done over the phone). I’d all but decided to just continue to wait it out when it hit me!
Mend.
Mend is a new Dallas-based service that offers convenient, affordable, on-demand healthcare in your home, office or hotel, for patients ages 2 to 64. They specialize in the treatment of common illnesses and injuries, which require prompt evaluation, but aren’t serious enough to require a visit to an emergency room. This includes conditions like flu, bronchitis, sinusitis, eye, ear, nose and throat infections, urinary tract infections, sprains, minor broken bones, cuts, boils and skin infections, to name just a few.
Willing to give it a try, I jumped online on Sunday evening and made my appointment through their website for Monday morning — between preschool drop off and a scheduled home repair. 
Within 30 minutes, a representative from Mend called to discuss the appointment and confirm my time. Just like a nurse might do when you call your primary care physician, he asked what my reason was for the appointment and what my symptoms were. He also gave me a little more information about Mend who would be coming to my home since it was my first appointment.
All of Mend’s physicians, PA’s and Nurse Practitioners are certified with at least 5 years of emergency room and acute care experience that have been independently verified to guarantee quality care.
Right on time the next morning, my PA (who looked just like his photo) showed up at my door in a Mend vehicle and my comfortable living room quickly became a patient exam room. While sitting at my table, we went over how I was feeling and how long I’ve been experiencing my symptoms. Just like a normal exam, he took my vitals and listened to my chest and heart. Thankfully, he was confident I didn’t have strep, just the residuals of a common cold that should reside in a few days. He did offer a strep test if I felt like I needed that confirmation and presented a pricing sheet so that the cost would be transparent ($25). I politely declined as I agreed with the diagnosis, but appreciated that he gave that choice!
During the 15 minutes the Mend physician was there, my boys were playing quietly in the background. I didn’t have to get them dressed, loaded up into the car, and dragged into a waiting room. There wasn’t any concern about the floor they were playing on or ways to entertain them in a strange environment. The whole appointment was down-to-Earth and extremely comfortable and friendly with no stress!! 
Best of all, if I had been diagnosed and a prescription was needed, Mend has a partnership with Dougherty’s Pharmacy. Mend will call it in for you and Dougherty’s will deliver your prescription straight to your door!
If you’re like me and are in need of a way to by-pass the waiting rooms at your doctor’s office or acute care center, contact Mend.
Schedule your first house call for only $50!
Appointments can be made easily by using the iPhone app, website, or calling 469-458-MEND. Whole family sick? There’s no need to schedule separate appointments for each family member. Just let them know who needs to be seen when you make your appointment, and everyone will be taken care of at the same time!
Physicans are available Monday-Friday between 8am-8pm and Saturday & Sunday between 11am-6:30pm. Mend accepts credit cards, Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account cards!
For more information, make sure to visit their website Mendathome.com or download the iPhone app here! Then enter to win a FREE visit from Mend below.
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Disclosure: While this post has been sponsored by Mend, it’s a service I use and am excited to share! All opinions are 100% our own.
