What is the appropriate follow up to this?

kdangel518 · 10-23-2009, 12:04 PM

I had my host for tonight just call and cancel b/c her mom fell yesterday in adult daycare- they sent her home, and then she fell again today at home. My host is now on her way to the ER with her mom and is not mentally prepared, nor is her home prepared, for a party tonight.

Obviously I completely understand this and told her to please take care, I hope her mom is ok, and get back to me when she's ready to reschedule.

I would like to follow up with her so she doesn't fall off the radar though. I was thinking tonight when I get home to shoot her a quick email as follows, do you think this is a good response or too pushy?

Hi Theresa! I'm so sorry again to hear about your mom, I hope all is ok with her. Below are the dates I currently have available for November- let me know if you'd like me to hold one of them for us to reschedule your party and we can catch up next week to confirm. If you're not ready to pick a date yet that's ok, just get in touch with me when things have settled down a bit. I'll try to check back with you in a week or two! I hope the rest of your weekend is enjoyable and best wishes for a quick recovery for your mom!

DebbieJ · 10-23-2009, 12:11 PM

When people call to cancel/reschedule, I ALWAYS suggest we pick a new date right away that way when she is calling to let her guests know about the cancellation, she can give them the new date right away.

kdangel518 · 10-23-2009, 12:15 PM

Well, she was literally in the car on the way to the ER with her mother. I don't think that would have been appropriate for me to suggest or possible for her to do. She sounded incredibly frazzled.

chefcharity · 10-23-2009, 12:30 PM

So, this is what I would do... for what it is worth. :-)
I would drop a 'thinking of you' card in the mail today with a note saying hope your mom is feeling better. I'll be in touch next week to follow up with you.
I think this is the last thing on her mind today and if she is faced with the email upon returning home she might just automatically think - I don't have time for this.
A written note is so much more personal too.

Good luck!
-c

dkitten13 · 10-23-2009, 12:34 PM

Charity I agree! That would be a very thoughtful touch!

susanr613 · 10-23-2009, 02:44 PM

I agree with Charity and it's a great idea to send a card - so few people do nowadays. Good luck!

Sheila · 10-23-2009, 07:15 PM

I was thinking basically the same thing. For now, just say that you hope that her mother is doing fine and wait 3-5 days before approaching the topic of picking a new date. Having been a live-in care giver for two elderly grandparents and a father who was paralyzed from the neck down I can attest to making multiple last minute ER trips with each of them over the years. I would have been more focused on dealing with the current injury/illness and not mentally in the state to think about setting a new date right then.

I can't use the military mail for business purposes, so all of my contact is by phone or e-mail. But I agree that in your position, the hand written letter is an excellent idea! It definitely is more personable and will be appreciated much more.

BeckyC5830 · 10-23-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefcharity

So, this is what I would do... for what it is worth. :-)
I would drop a 'thinking of you' card in the mail today with a note saying hope your mom is feeling better. I'll be in touch next week to follow up with you.
I think this is the last thing on her mind today and if she is faced with the email upon returning home she might just automatically think - I don't have time for this.
A written note is so much more personal too.

Good luck!
-c

Exactly what I would've done!

nikked · 10-23-2009, 07:20 PM

Ditto on the sending card thing. Plus, by stating in the card that you'll be in touch next week, she'll be better mentally prepared for your call/email.

AJPratt · 10-23-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikked

Ditto on the sending card thing. Plus, by stating in the card that you'll be in touch next week, she'll be better mentally prepared for your call/email.

I think I am going to do that for all of my reschedules due to medical problems. Thanks for the idea! I hope it works out for you, Kdangel!

kdangel518 · 10-24-2009, 08:51 AM

Thanks for the suggestions ladies!

chefcharity · 11-15-2009, 06:52 AM

so, Kara... what happened?

10-23-2009, 12:04 PM	#1
kdangel518 Location: Lowell, MA Posts: 859 Best Show: 1245 Experience: 1 # of Shows: 50 My Mood:	What is the appropriate follow up to this? I had my host for tonight just call and cancel b/c her mom fell yesterday in adult daycare- they sent her home, and then she fell again today at home. My host is now on her way to the ER with her mom and is not mentally prepared, nor is her home prepared, for a party tonight. Obviously I completely understand this and told her to please take care, I hope her mom is ok, and get back to me when she's ready to reschedule. I would like to follow up with her so she doesn't fall off the radar though. I was thinking tonight when I get home to shoot her a quick email as follows, do you think this is a good response or too pushy? Hi Theresa! I'm so sorry again to hear about your mom, I hope all is ok with her. Below are the dates I currently have available for November- let me know if you'd like me to hold one of them for us to reschedule your party and we can catch up next week to confirm. If you're not ready to pick a date yet that's ok, just get in touch with me when things have settled down a bit. I'll try to check back with you in a week or two! I hope the rest of your weekend is enjoyable and best wishes for a quick recovery for your mom!

10-23-2009, 12:11 PM	#2
DebbieJ Location: The rolling plains of suburban Chicago Posts: 10,294 Best Show: 2760 Experience: 3 # of Shows: 250 My Mood:	Re: What is the appropriate follow up to this? When people call to cancel/reschedule, I ALWAYS suggest we pick a new date right away that way when she is calling to let her guests know about the cancellation, she can give them the new date right away.

10-23-2009, 12:15 PM	#3
kdangel518 Location: Lowell, MA Posts: 859 Best Show: 1245 Experience: 1 # of Shows: 50 My Mood:	Re: What is the appropriate follow up to this? Well, she was literally in the car on the way to the ER with her mother. I don't think that would have been appropriate for me to suggest or possible for her to do. She sounded incredibly frazzled.

10-23-2009, 12:30 PM	#4
chefcharity Location: Shelbyville, IN Posts: 516 Best Show: 1362 Experience: 2 # of Shows: 195 My Mood:	Re: What is the appropriate follow up to this? So, this is what I would do... for what it is worth. :-) I would drop a 'thinking of you' card in the mail today with a note saying hope your mom is feeling better. I'll be in touch next week to follow up with you. I think this is the last thing on her mind today and if she is faced with the email upon returning home she might just automatically think - I don't have time for this. A written note is so much more personal too. Good luck! -c

10-23-2009, 12:34 PM	#5
dkitten13 Location: Oak Ridge, NJ Posts: 497 Best Show: 800 Experience: <1 # of Shows: 7 My Mood:	Re: What is the appropriate follow up to this? Charity I agree! That would be a very thoughtful touch!

10-23-2009, 02:44 PM	#6
susanr613 Location: Streamwood IL Posts: 1,979 Best Show: 1600 Experience: 2 # of Shows: 90 My Mood:	Re: What is the appropriate follow up to this? I agree with Charity and it's a great idea to send a card - so few people do nowadays. Good luck!

10-23-2009, 07:15 PM	#7
Sheila Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 1,776 Best Show: $1,562 Experience: 2 # of Shows: 70 My Mood:	Re: What is the appropriate follow up to this? I was thinking basically the same thing. For now, just say that you hope that her mother is doing fine and wait 3-5 days before approaching the topic of picking a new date. Having been a live-in care giver for two elderly grandparents and a father who was paralyzed from the neck down I can attest to making multiple last minute ER trips with each of them over the years. I would have been more focused on dealing with the current injury/illness and not mentally in the state to think about setting a new date right then. I can't use the military mail for business purposes, so all of my contact is by phone or e-mail. But I agree that in your position, the hand written letter is an excellent idea! It definitely is more personable and will be appreciated much more.

10-23-2009, 07:20 PM	#9
nikked Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 1,532 Best Show: 1210 Experience: ?? # of Shows: 97 My Mood:	Re: What is the appropriate follow up to this? Ditto on the sending card thing. Plus, by stating in the card that you'll be in touch next week, she'll be better mentally prepared for your call/email.

10-24-2009, 08:51 AM	#11
kdangel518 Location: Lowell, MA Posts: 859 Best Show: 1245 Experience: 1 # of Shows: 50 My Mood:	Re: What is the appropriate follow up to this? Thanks for the suggestions ladies!

11-15-2009, 06:52 AM	#12
chefcharity Location: Shelbyville, IN Posts: 516 Best Show: 1362 Experience: 2 # of Shows: 195 My Mood:	Re: What is the appropriate follow up to this? so, Kara... what happened?

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