Oncologist appt

Butterfly12
Butterfly12 Member Posts: 56
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have my first oncologist appt on Fri at 1:00. I have already made a list of questions for him. But I wanted to ask my girls if there was anything that they thought might be worth mentioning. I know sometimes I think of questions later that I should have asked and since most of ya have already done this I thought I'd ask. I'm two weeks post op and not doing to bad. It's a weird feeling having my back muscle in my breast. I push on it and feel it on the side LOL..... I'm IDC stage 3 had 3 tumors. Thanks for any info girls I appreciate it.

Much love,
Sherry
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Comments

  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #2
    Questions
    Sherry~ I also trust you are taking a second pair of ears with you?? My sweetie thought of some things I didn't , so not going alone is a blessing too!

    You may find it helpful to be upfront with your DR and ask if you can please call him from home if ( when?) you have other questions regarding treatment! I am certain he will say Yes,and that will also put your mind at ease, knowing you can call the Cancer Center!

    Let us know how things go! We are right there with you!

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #3
    Hi Sherry!
    It is always best to have someone with you for any doctor's appointment. My husband went with me for every appointment, and, not only took a big legal pad to write information down, but, took a tape recorder to tape what was said. Sometimes, it just gets confusing, and, with it written down, another pair of ears and a tape recording, you do have it all.

    On this site, the American Cancer Society, there are a list of questions to ask. Also, on the Susan B. Komen site, there is a list of questions that you might want to ask. And, don't be afraid to ask ANY question.

    Good luck to you Sherry. Keep us updated! Hugs, Jeanne
  • confused123
    confused123 Member Posts: 251
    #4
    I think when they go over
    I think when they go over everything they are pretty thourough. My docs were anyway. Also, I went to what they called a "nurse teach" before starting the chemo and the nurse went over EVERYTHING in detail. I find I have lots of questions after I get home and process everything. Where I go there is a nurse line to call with any questions so I do that. Hopefully your nurses and docs are as helpful and nice. I am glad to see you are on here today, have been wondering how you have been. Glad to hear you are "not bad". Just think you have one big step behind you in the process!

    Kim
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #5
    confused123 said:

    I think when they go over
    I think when they go over everything they are pretty thourough. My docs were anyway. Also, I went to what they called a "nurse teach" before starting the chemo and the nurse went over EVERYTHING in detail. I find I have lots of questions after I get home and process everything. Where I go there is a nurse line to call with any questions so I do that. Hopefully your nurses and docs are as helpful and nice. I am glad to see you are on here today, have been wondering how you have been. Glad to hear you are "not bad". Just think you have one big step behind you in the process!

    Kim

    Just want to wish you good
    Just want to wish you good luck today Sherry with your appointment!
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143
    #6
    Good luck, Sherry
    You are already way ahead with your question notebook. I didn't think of that until way into the process. I second the notion of taking someone with you as well. There are some things that you simply won't hear or absrob. When your doctor talks about your treatment protocol I would ask what that particular treatment is designed to do; if and how they are to measure the efficacy of treatment; common and uncommon side effects; if there are other treatment options for you to consider; if there are any clinical trials the onc. would recommend; how you should prepare for your treatments; what side effects or symptoms are important to watch out for and when you should call the doc. if you experience them; I'm sure there are many, many more, but those are off the top of my head.

    Glad you are recovering well from surgery. You will do just fine on Friday. Please report back.

    Mimi
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #7
    Sherry......
    I wholeheartedly agree that you should take someone with you.

    My first appt. with my onc was over an hour long, and I was bombarded with so much information, that I promptly forgot much of it. Even the important stuff!
    Fortunately, my daughter went with me and has impeccable memory (she does not get that from me!), and she has filled me in on many things that waere said, ever since.

    I did take a note pad & pen, but then forgot to write things down. So having her with me was a very wise decision!

    Hugs,

    CR
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #8
    CR1954 said:

    Sherry......
    I wholeheartedly agree that you should take someone with you.

    My first appt. with my onc was over an hour long, and I was bombarded with so much information, that I promptly forgot much of it. Even the important stuff!
    Fortunately, my daughter went with me and has impeccable memory (she does not get that from me!), and she has filled me in on many things that waere said, ever since.

    I did take a note pad & pen, but then forgot to write things down. So having her with me was a very wise decision!

    Hugs,

    CR

    Yes Sherry, take someone
    Yes Sherry, take someone with you. That is very important because you just get overwhelmed

    with information. Good Luck Sherry!
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #9
    Noel said:

    Yes Sherry, take someone
    Yes Sherry, take someone with you. That is very important because you just get overwhelmed

    with information. Good Luck Sherry!

    Good luck Sherry! I think
    Good luck Sherry! I think everyone here already said what I would say to you! Thinking of

    you! Hugs, Kylez
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #10
    Sherry
    Good luck with the appt, let us know how it goes. Mine was not a mastectomy, so I would not know the questions to ask, but as everyone has already stated, it is a good idea to bring someone with you. I had both my husband and my mom. Between the three of us, I think we were pretty thorough.
    =^..^=
  • maryannrogers
    maryannrogers Member Posts: 115
    #11
    cats_toy said:

    Sherry
    Good luck with the appt, let us know how it goes. Mine was not a mastectomy, so I would not know the questions to ask, but as everyone has already stated, it is a good idea to bring someone with you. I had both my husband and my mom. Between the three of us, I think we were pretty thorough.
    =^..^=

    Hey Sherry,
    Best of luck to
    Hey Sherry,

    Best of luck to you. Let us know how it goes. Yes, the only way I can function these days is by writing down everything. Thank God my two daughters go with me for my appointments.
    Am having surgery tomorrow, masectectomy on one side.

    Gentle Hugs,
    Maryann
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #12
    maryannrogers said:

    Hey Sherry,
    Best of luck to
    Hey Sherry,

    Best of luck to you. Let us know how it goes. Yes, the only way I can function these days is by writing down everything. Thank God my two daughters go with me for my appointments.
    Am having surgery tomorrow, masectectomy on one side.

    Gentle Hugs,
    Maryann

    Good luck to you too
    Good luck to you too Maryann! And, wishing you a speedy recovery!
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #13
    Good luck to you Sherry!
    Good luck to you Sherry! That is great that you already have a list of questions for your oncologist. Keep us updated on you!
  • taleena
    taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
    #14
    Kristin N said:

    Good luck to you Sherry!
    Good luck to you Sherry! That is great that you already have a list of questions for your oncologist. Keep us updated on you!

    Sherry.. I just wanted to
    Sherry.. I just wanted to send my best wishes for your visit with your oncologist.. I know how anxious you are.. I'll be thinking of you Friday.

    Hugs

    ~T
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #15
    taleena said:

    Sherry.. I just wanted to
    Sherry.. I just wanted to send my best wishes for your visit with your oncologist.. I know how anxious you are.. I'll be thinking of you Friday.

    Hugs

    ~T

    Sherry, I am just adding my
    Sherry, I am just adding my best wishes to you for Friday as the others have! I will be thinking of you also! Hugs, Lex
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #16
    Hi, Sherry
    Glad you're doing OK, while recuperating from surgery.

    Best wishes for Friday's appointment. I'll be hoping for the best possible outcome for you.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #17
    Christmas Girl said:

    Hi, Sherry
    Glad you're doing OK, while recuperating from surgery.

    Best wishes for Friday's appointment. I'll be hoping for the best possible outcome for you.

    Kind regards, Susan

    Just wanting to know how you
    Just wanting to know how you are doing Sherry! And, do you have all of your questions now? And, be sure someone is with you! Keep us posted!
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #18
    Kristin N said:

    Just wanting to know how you
    Just wanting to know how you are doing Sherry! And, do you have all of your questions now? And, be sure someone is with you! Keep us posted!

    Good luck tomorrow Sherry!
    Good luck tomorrow Sherry! :) Lex
  • Butterfly12
    Butterfly12 Member Posts: 56
    #19
    Kristin N said:

    Just wanting to know how you
    Just wanting to know how you are doing Sherry! And, do you have all of your questions now? And, be sure someone is with you! Keep us posted!

    Doing okay today. I got one
    Doing okay today. I got one more drain out, still have one left for next week. A little torture each week LOL..I think have all my questions written down, and My hubby is going to go with me :) Will post tomorrow evening with all the info. Thank you girls, I love you and appreciate each and everyone of you for everything you have done and will do. You girls are the best and I am very thankful to have found you.

    Sherry
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #20
    Butterfly12 said:

    Doing okay today. I got one
    Doing okay today. I got one more drain out, still have one left for next week. A little torture each week LOL..I think have all my questions written down, and My hubby is going to go with me :) Will post tomorrow evening with all the info. Thank you girls, I love you and appreciate each and everyone of you for everything you have done and will do. You girls are the best and I am very thankful to have found you.

    Sherry

    Glad you got one more drain
    Glad you got one more drain out. They are awful! And, glad your husband is going with you, you need someone to help to hear what the doc says. Will look forward to your post tomorrow as to what you find out. Good luck Sherry!
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #21
    Butterfly12 said:

    Doing okay today. I got one
    Doing okay today. I got one more drain out, still have one left for next week. A little torture each week LOL..I think have all my questions written down, and My hubby is going to go with me :) Will post tomorrow evening with all the info. Thank you girls, I love you and appreciate each and everyone of you for everything you have done and will do. You girls are the best and I am very thankful to have found you.

    Sherry

    One Out-Yea
    Sherry, I remember very well having two tubes attached to my chest and how wonderful it felt to get rid of even one of them. Looking forward to hearing of your new no-drain look as soon as possible.

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