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I think this is more a rule for colonoscopy.
If during the colonoscopy - which is pretty straightforward sedation - they find polyps, then they will go ahead and routinely snip them. But it then goes from a test to a procedure. You'll get a bit more sedation & will have longer time in recovery.

If your colonoscopy is like ours was, the clinic or hospital will want your driver / companion to be in the recovery area with you. Procedure maybe 20 min to an hr or so if there's snips. Then you go into recovery phase 1 maybe 20 minutes with a tech or RN; then they will ask your companion to be in the recovery cubby with you where you are for recovery phase 2 where you will be monitored and then released. Like they will ask you to spell your name and say why you are there. Could be an hr or could be 3 hrs.

It's more that you need someone that your ok with to see you on a more intimate level and can deal with someone they don't know well. Honey your gonna be really "gassy". I'd really try to get & pay someone who is a member of your church or lives in your neighborhood who has had a colonoscocpy rather than a total stranger. Have them bring iPad.... Or book on tape.....

For us, they would not process hubs beyond reception area till I got there (I was parking car). Some places do them "live" so you can watch procedure, if you want to.

Also try to go to the grocery store ahead of time & get a few easy meals, like those microwave rice single servings or single serve soups & some carbonated drinks. You'll be gassy for about a day, but other than that no pain or cramping at all for us.
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Have you tried Uber? Taxis? Transportation from your town or county governments? I've even seen notices in my church posted by folks such as yourself looking for someone to provide occasional transportation services.
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Call your State or local office on aging. They do have programs where elders can get medical transportation if they qualify.
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Thank you for your answers. I got this appointment Friday afternoon due to a cancellation but that didn't give me enough time to find transportation. I will try more Monday and hopefully find help. I do not qualify for any government aid - I am able to pay but don't know who to call. I will try Agency on Aging and hope they can help. I need this test a.s.a.p. so I hate to postpone it if I don't have to. I will post my solution so others might benefit from what I eventually learn. Thanks again - I appreciate your help.
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When my husband had his colonoscopy/endoscopy I was in the recovery room with him. His O2 sat level kept falling, so I would have to get him to breathe. Anesthesia affected him like that anytime he had it. Things like this are probably why they want someone to be with them in recovery.
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I don't know if you are part of a church but maybe someone in the congregation might be able to assist you as well.
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Molly, do you have a friend who can accompany you?

When I've had colonoscopy especially, I've always thought of this as a two part instruction, i.e., we need for there to be some here during the procedure who can responsible for you if there is a problem, and also, we need to know that someone is taking you home.

If you have a friend or companion who can go with you in a cab, that person can wait with you and call an Uber or taxi afterwards.

Talk to the scheduler also about this difficulty and see if there is a way around the "no cab" rule.
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If no friends are available, I might call  a local college to find out if they have a jobs office.  This would be perfect for a college student who has no classes during this time period.
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"remain on site until you leave." That's a weird one. If someone is there to take you home, why do they care if they're in the waiting room (or outside in a car) for the entire appointment? That's asking too much, in my opinion. Is your ride going to be weighing in on your 'scope procedure? No. So why do they have to be there the whole time?

I re-read your comment.  So the office has been clear that your driver can't leave.  I've never heard of someone being required to sit through someone else's entire appointment. I've taken my dad to a couple hundred appointments in past several years and I would often step out for food or *whatever* once he was "in the back," in a room, if I wasn't needed.  

A local neighborhood board/page on Facebook or craigslist might be helpful here.  You could advertise your need and ability to pay, but be wary of total strangers, 'course.  I've personally had very good luck hiring several different strangers from off the Internet to help me with projects over past several years.  Vast majority of people who would respond to an ad for ride services would just appreciate the opportunity to make a little extra money, and you might make a new friend in your community.  
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Molly, I suggest you put up a flyer at your local Senior Center, as they often have people who enjoy working with and helping out Seniors.

I often see flyers for people advertising their services for household and garden needs, Senior companionship/ sitting, aides and assistance, and All Sorts of helpful things. 

Make sure you check to see that the person you hire has a valid drivers license and insurance! 
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