My first oncologist appoitment

betina61
betina61 Member Posts: 642 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone! tomorrow I have my first appoitment with an oncologist referred to me my surgeon If anyone has some advise about questions I need to ask,I already started a list,and I would like to ask you if I have a good feeling with him should go ahead and start the treatment that he tells me or should I get second opinion,I am afraid knowing how I am to start going around to diferent doctors and making the wrong desicion and delaying any treatment.Thank you in advance for any advise. Betina

Comments

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #2
    Betina....
    Questions:
    1) What stage am I?
    2) What are the facts on the chemo(s) I will be getting (side effects/names of drugs)
    3) How often
    4) I would like a copy of all labs/paths, etc (start a folder...keep EVERYTHING)

    -PLEASE TAKE SOMEONE WITH YOU.....YOU will miss stuff the guy/gal is saying.

    -You CAN get a second opinion...but only if you feel uncomfortable....not knowing a thing about your cancer, I would suggest getting the info, scheduling the infusions, and THEN BEFORE it starts, if you don't feel secure, go somewhere else. The first round of treatment, according to my local City of Hope, is pretty standard all the way around...

    -After your appointment, get on the NET. Also call 1-800-ACS-2345 (American Cancer Society) and confer with THEM.

    Hugs, Kathi
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #3
    Hi Betina!

    Just sending you another round of HUGS for tomorrow. Check your CSN e-mail. I sent you a note. I have about the same things on my note that Kathi put. Make sure you also leave room for the answers. Take care.

    Lisa
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #4
    Betina -

    Kathi has some excellent starter questions for you - just to get you in the groove. I just want to say remember this: your oncologist works for YOU. S/he is your advisor, not your boss, not your mom or dad, and certainly NOT your drill sergeant. Ask him/her tough questions and hold him/her responsible to explaining things to YOUR satisfaction. Make sure you have a really good understanding of what is going on inside your body, what you can expect your treatment to be like, and what you can expect at the end of your treatment. Don't let the doctor quote you odds or statistics - cut 'em off if s/he starts to do that. You are unique and not a stat. Remember that!

    Be well and I will keep you in my prayers.

    - SpongeBob
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #5
    Hi Betina -

    Ask all of Kathi's questions, and also listen carefully to your oncologist's recommended treatment. He / she should provide you with info about the suggested treatment and you should be able to check those treatments out on the internet and on this site.

    It is easy for me to say this. I had great recommendations from my colorectal surgeon and internist regarding my oncologist, she was in my insurance program, and her practice was listed in Washingtonian Magazine "Top Docs" issue. So I added all that together with the fact that I like her when she visited me in the hospital after surgery and decided to stick with her. So far so good. But it is a definite "crap shoot" when it comes to choosing an oncologist.

    Good Luck,
    Betsy
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #6
    Betsydoglover said:

    Hi Betina -

    Ask all of Kathi's questions, and also listen carefully to your oncologist's recommended treatment. He / she should provide you with info about the suggested treatment and you should be able to check those treatments out on the internet and on this site.

    It is easy for me to say this. I had great recommendations from my colorectal surgeon and internist regarding my oncologist, she was in my insurance program, and her practice was listed in Washingtonian Magazine "Top Docs" issue. So I added all that together with the fact that I like her when she visited me in the hospital after surgery and decided to stick with her. So far so good. But it is a definite "crap shoot" when it comes to choosing an oncologist.

    Good Luck,
    Betsy

    Interesting choice of words there, Betsy! What would Freud say?

    Cheers!

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