Appt with Onc & Rads Man Friday

Kat11
Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Is there anything that I should ask at appt that I may not think of right now. I think I have a pretty good list of Questions, but then again What do I know. So if you all have any thoughts on this, I would like to hear from you. My surgeon said I will have to have chemo 1st then Rads. Thanks

Comments

  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #2
    Questions
    Hi, Kathy, if you can list the questions you do have ready, we can review them and let you know if we can think of others. Your making a list is a great idea. Is someone going with you? You really need that second person to be a second pair of ears and who can ask questions you may not have thought of.
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #3
    Moopy23 said:

    Questions
    Hi, Kathy, if you can list the questions you do have ready, we can review them and let you know if we can think of others. Your making a list is a great idea. Is someone going with you? You really need that second person to be a second pair of ears and who can ask questions you may not have thought of.

    Hey Kathy!
    What Moopy suggested is good. Let us know your questions so that we don't just repeat ourselves.

    Sorry, but, I can't help with any chemo questions as I didn't have it.

    But, I can help you with radiation treatments. Just let me know what you have. I asked some questions, lol, that stumped my radiation oncologist. Guess I am just the "inquisitive" type. lol

    My husband went with me for every doctors appointment, so, he always had that extra pair of ears to hear with. He also tape recorded a lot of the visits so that we wouldn't get home and go " Now, what did he say about such and such?" And, neither of us would remember. lol My hubby also had a big legal pad that he wrote everything down, that he could, while the doctor was talking. It is easy to forget. And, if needed, I would just call my radiation oncologist and ask whatever. He was great in getting back to me quickly.

    I pray that you will have excellent treatment Kathy and that you will just sail right thru it! Love, Jeanne
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #4
    Jeanne D said:

    Hey Kathy!
    What Moopy suggested is good. Let us know your questions so that we don't just repeat ourselves.

    Sorry, but, I can't help with any chemo questions as I didn't have it.

    But, I can help you with radiation treatments. Just let me know what you have. I asked some questions, lol, that stumped my radiation oncologist. Guess I am just the "inquisitive" type. lol

    My husband went with me for every doctors appointment, so, he always had that extra pair of ears to hear with. He also tape recorded a lot of the visits so that we wouldn't get home and go " Now, what did he say about such and such?" And, neither of us would remember. lol My hubby also had a big legal pad that he wrote everything down, that he could, while the doctor was talking. It is easy to forget. And, if needed, I would just call my radiation oncologist and ask whatever. He was great in getting back to me quickly.

    I pray that you will have excellent treatment Kathy and that you will just sail right thru it! Love, Jeanne

    Questions
    What kind of treatment - Side affects of treatment - Will I have pain with treatment & how long - How long will treatment last (months ) - How long does it take to give treatment (hours) - How often do I have to come for treatment - What is the goal for treatment - How advanced is the treatment - What do you think my prognosis is - Will my tattoo be a problem -
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #5
    Great questions Kat
    Just so you know, I'm writing these all down too so I will have them ready when I go. Thanks for getting the answers!! I feel like I'm cheating on a test! (te,he) :) Pammy
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #6
    Kat........
    I found with both my Onc and Rads onc that whatever questions I didn't think to ask, they supplied info. for anyway. I know that not all docs are created equal, but in my case, they knew the things that most people undergoing treatment want answers to. And there were some things, especially regarding any possible side effects, that they told me about.

    I hope that you are as fortunate as I was in getting friendly, supportive and caring docs.

    CR
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #7
    CR1954 said:

    Kat........
    I found with both my Onc and Rads onc that whatever questions I didn't think to ask, they supplied info. for anyway. I know that not all docs are created equal, but in my case, they knew the things that most people undergoing treatment want answers to. And there were some things, especially regarding any possible side effects, that they told me about.

    I hope that you are as fortunate as I was in getting friendly, supportive and caring docs.

    CR

    This site, ACS, has a lot of
    This site, ACS, has a lot of questions posted under radiation treatments. It isn't everything that I would ask, but, there are some there. Take a look and see if you can use any of them.
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #8
    jnl said:

    This site, ACS, has a lot of
    This site, ACS, has a lot of questions posted under radiation treatments. It isn't everything that I would ask, but, there are some there. Take a look and see if you can use any of them.

    I want to wish you luck Kat
    I want to wish you luck Kat with your appointment. I didn't have chemo, so, I can't help you

    with any questions there. Your radiation oncologist will give you literature to read and go

    over it with you. Good luck!
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #9
    Questions, Questions, Questions
    The BC nurse where I first was diagnosed had great set of booklets, one booklet for each step of the way. I returned them to her and unfortunately, she is gone and I'm not sure how to get a hold of them. I do think that talking to your chemo onc and radiation onc on the same day is quite a lot of info, especially since it will be months before radiation will begin. I think I would concentrate on the chemo for now, and ask for a second meeting with the radiation onc when it is closer to that time. Ah! I found the link and the brochures are online at the Susan B. Komen site, in case the link doesn't work. Here's the link: http://ww5.komen.org/Content.aspx?id=6990&terms=questions+to+ask+your+oncologist


    The way I found it was I went to the Susan B. Komen site and used the Search box in the top right hand corner. I typed in "questions to ask your oncologist" and got a list of results, so I had to scroll down to find the right one. It is the eighth result down and is called

    "Talking with Your Doctor." I hope this helps. It really helped me. Lynn
  • confused123
    confused123 Member Posts: 251
    #10
    lynn1950 said:

    Questions, Questions, Questions
    The BC nurse where I first was diagnosed had great set of booklets, one booklet for each step of the way. I returned them to her and unfortunately, she is gone and I'm not sure how to get a hold of them. I do think that talking to your chemo onc and radiation onc on the same day is quite a lot of info, especially since it will be months before radiation will begin. I think I would concentrate on the chemo for now, and ask for a second meeting with the radiation onc when it is closer to that time. Ah! I found the link and the brochures are online at the Susan B. Komen site, in case the link doesn't work. Here's the link: http://ww5.komen.org/Content.aspx?id=6990&terms=questions+to+ask+your+oncologist


    The way I found it was I went to the Susan B. Komen site and used the Search box in the top right hand corner. I typed in "questions to ask your oncologist" and got a list of results, so I had to scroll down to find the right one. It is the eighth result down and is called

    "Talking with Your Doctor." I hope this helps. It really helped me. Lynn

    Good Luck at your
    Good Luck at your appointment.
    Kim
  • padee6339
    padee6339 Member Posts: 763
    #11
    Good Luck
    Good luck tomorrow. They will discuss what they will do and what will happen. What they told me would happen, did happen, and they gave me creams and lotions which help a lot. The treatments themselves are painless, but the lingering effects are more difficult to look at than being painful. Again, good luck and ask them anything you want, they will understand and answer.
    Pat
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #12
    I agree with Lynn that
    I agree with Lynn that radiation is too far away. I met with the rad. onc. also around the same time. Forgot everything: just too far ahead for me. Those questions will not be relevant until later.

    You have a good list of questions already. I would ask how to contact him/clinic if I have questions or concerns after hours or on weekends. This is just to confirm the emergency service the clinic no doubt has. Also, how often will you see the onc as opposed to a nurse practitioner? (I really liked and benefited greatly from my appts with the nurses, but it would have been good to know up front how often I was going to see the onc.)

    Also, what are the side effects he/she sees most often? Does he/she recommend vitamins or supplements? Conversely, does he/she advise against any supplements or vitamins? Mine did not approve antioxidant formulas as there is suspicion they may affect chemo. Good thing I wasn't taking any because nobody told me until halfway through treatment!

    Finally, if you have a port, you might consider asking for a prescription Emla cream (not sure of spelling). You smear it on your port before chemo to dull any sensation of the needle pricking. Lots of info on that here, and instructions. I didn't know about it until later.

    Good luck, Kat. Please let us know how it goes tomorrow.
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #13
    Moopy23 said:

    I agree with Lynn that
    I agree with Lynn that radiation is too far away. I met with the rad. onc. also around the same time. Forgot everything: just too far ahead for me. Those questions will not be relevant until later.

    You have a good list of questions already. I would ask how to contact him/clinic if I have questions or concerns after hours or on weekends. This is just to confirm the emergency service the clinic no doubt has. Also, how often will you see the onc as opposed to a nurse practitioner? (I really liked and benefited greatly from my appts with the nurses, but it would have been good to know up front how often I was going to see the onc.)

    Also, what are the side effects he/she sees most often? Does he/she recommend vitamins or supplements? Conversely, does he/she advise against any supplements or vitamins? Mine did not approve antioxidant formulas as there is suspicion they may affect chemo. Good thing I wasn't taking any because nobody told me until halfway through treatment!

    Finally, if you have a port, you might consider asking for a prescription Emla cream (not sure of spelling). You smear it on your port before chemo to dull any sensation of the needle pricking. Lots of info on that here, and instructions. I didn't know about it until later.

    Good luck, Kat. Please let us know how it goes tomorrow.

    Kathy
    Ok, I am going to sound like a broken record, but, I agree with Lynn and Moopy too. You have too much going on now with chemo to try and remember the what if's and what not's about radiation. I am hoping that tomorrow, your appointment with the radiation oncologist, is to just introduce himself, more or less. If he expects more, you might let him know that you will need to meet with him again, after chemo, and, before radiation to understand what will be happening and to answer your rad questions.

    Some of the questions I asked for rads that they didn't tell you were...1 you are not supposed to take vitamins during rads 2 if you color your hair, it might not turn out right 3 no dental work unless you take an antiobiotic 10 days prior to the dentist trip Ok, those are just a few "odd" ones that made my radiation oncologist scratch his head. lol

    You know I will help you in anyway with rad questions! Just ask! Sorry, but, I can't help you with the chemo as I didn't have it Kathy!

    So, good luck tomorrow, let us know what you find out and relax! Love, Jeanne
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #14
    Kat11 said:

    Questions
    What kind of treatment - Side affects of treatment - Will I have pain with treatment & how long - How long will treatment last (months ) - How long does it take to give treatment (hours) - How often do I have to come for treatment - What is the goal for treatment - How advanced is the treatment - What do you think my prognosis is - Will my tattoo be a problem -

    Kat
    My chemo nurses gave me printouts of all the drugs I was on and their side effects. The nurses were darlings and gave me lots of books and pamphlets on surviving cancer. and they sat down with me and gave me things to take if I should get the side-effects. (such as immodium for the diarrhea, tylenol 3 for headaches, gargling with baking soda and salt for mouth sores, Pepsid for heartburn, and of course keep hydrated..you just can't drink enough H20, they gave me the emmla cream in little tubes to apply on my port 45 min. before accessing it and tagaderm bandages to cover it. They also gave me wigs, free meals or drinks, blankets, they were complete angels.......still are as I am still getting Herceptin treatments every 3 weeks.

    Don't worry to much ( I know it's hard not to) but you will be fine. And we will always be here when new questions arise. I wish you all the luck in the world.
    Hugs, Jackie
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #15
    Kat11 said:

    Questions
    What kind of treatment - Side affects of treatment - Will I have pain with treatment & how long - How long will treatment last (months ) - How long does it take to give treatment (hours) - How often do I have to come for treatment - What is the goal for treatment - How advanced is the treatment - What do you think my prognosis is - Will my tattoo be a problem -

    One More Thing
    You said you will be learning the specific chemo drugs/regimen. Each time you are given a drug, the chemo nurse is supposed to show you the vial and state what it is, e.g, Adriamycin. If they don't verify for you each time, be sure to ask. It doesn't hurt to have one more level of confirmation.

    I didn't ask about the pre-treatment drugs, but now I wish I had. Just to know. So you might ask what non-chemo drugs will be given. Usually it is steroids, anti-nausea meds.
  • dmc_emmy
    dmc_emmy Member Posts: 549
    #16
    Kat-questions

    Sorry I'm late with my input. Those are great questions. I think the suggestion to go on Susan B Komen site is an excellent idea.

    I just have a couple of thoughts. When I went through chemo, it really helped me to have benadryl prior to treatment, so you might want to ask about that one specifically. Also, ask if there is a social worker and a nutritionist on staff whom you can talk to if you feel it is necessary.

    Finally, a suggestion for chemo, as well as for rads, bring a friend with you or ask if there is transportation to bring you to and from appts. A friend of mine drove me to chemo and we shared a picnic lunch I packed for each visit. It made the hours go by more quickly and it got me to eat something, since I tended not to eat much during chemo. For rads, I rode in a van with other patients and, much like this site, we bonded quickly and the company made it seem more like a daytime outing than a trip to the treatment center.

    Wish you well.
    dmc
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #17
    Can't add much...
    Except...

    To send best wishes for your two appointments tomorrow.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #18
    Christmas Girl said:

    Can't add much...
    Except...

    To send best wishes for your two appointments tomorrow.

    Kind regards, Susan

    Thank you all, I have a
    Thank you all, I have a pretty good list of questions. My husband and my very best friend are going with me tomorrow. I don't have what you all call chemo brain yet, but I forget this stuff so easy, I walk out and its like what just happened. What did they say !! Not sure why radiology is meeting with me tomorrow, like you said thats kinda far off yet. The only thing I can think of is there just laying it all out for me. Thanks again
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #19
    Kat11 said:

    Thank you all, I have a
    Thank you all, I have a pretty good list of questions. My husband and my very best friend are going with me tomorrow. I don't have what you all call chemo brain yet, but I forget this stuff so easy, I walk out and its like what just happened. What did they say !! Not sure why radiology is meeting with me tomorrow, like you said thats kinda far off yet. The only thing I can think of is there just laying it all out for me. Thanks again

    Kat......
    I don't remember half of what was said at those first meetings, which is why I took my daughter with me. I would take a pad & pen to appts., set them down & forget to pick them up again...lol! So writing things down was rarely done!

    I met with my rads onc early on too. He basically introduced himself, went over things that had been done, things he planned to do, etc. Then, right before I was ready to start rads, I met with him again, to go over everything again. Actually, it was comforting to see him a couple of times before I started, because I felt like I knew him pretty well before beginning rads.

    CR
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #20
    Kat - how did your appt go?
    let us know as soon as you can. I could only agree with what was said too. I met with the rads along with the onc, but had to get a refresher course when I was actually ready for rads.
    =^..^=
  • jgridley
    jgridley Member Posts: 169
    #21
    Kat11 said:

    Questions
    What kind of treatment - Side affects of treatment - Will I have pain with treatment & how long - How long will treatment last (months ) - How long does it take to give treatment (hours) - How often do I have to come for treatment - What is the goal for treatment - How advanced is the treatment - What do you think my prognosis is - Will my tattoo be a problem -

    questions
    My nurse oncologist gave me a booklet that tells you about the type of rads, as well as the side effects. The only major one I had was being tired. the rads doctor determines how many treatments you have and the dose. Mine were 5 days a week for seven weeks (35 treatments) the goal of treatment is to kill the cells. However, they kill good ones as well.

    as for the time of your treatments, again it is based on rads onc.

    Hope this helps....

    Julie

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