Doctor Visit Preparation

You have enough time to prepare without too much time to worry excessively. How are you feeling about the appointment? The fact that you've already found this web site tells us a lot. You're obviously doing research and looking for answers.

There are a million things I could tell you: but the most important thing is to know yourself. How much information do you want? Do you know the medical system, how it all works? Are you comfortable advocating for yourself? Is your general health good? Do you have all your current medications (if any) and the name of your PCP written down as well as your health history? You will write out this information (plus your insurance policy numbers) a million times so you might want to consolidate it all into a word document to make it easy to copy. Take it with you to your appointment.

Here are a few things I've learned and recommend for others:

1) Realize that YOU are in charge. Take strength from that. This is your health, your cancer. No one else can or should make decisions for you. An excellent doctor will listen to your concerns and preferences then make recommendations based on evidence and best practices. If you don't click with the first doctor find another. It's worth the time and anxiety. You need to be able to communicate comfortably with this person; and he/she should listen honestly and sincerely to you.

2) Get a copy of Susan Love's Breast Book, the most recent edition. This is excellent background information about breast health, breast cancer, and an overview of treatments. That's a good place to start.

3) Don't believe everything you read or hear about so & so's aunt or what's her' name's sister. There are many different forms of breast cancer and and an even greater number and combinations of treatments. Not every case is the same. Take information, stories and unwanted advice only as you can accommodate it. It's easy to be overwhelmed.

4) You can get a terrific treatment guide from Livestrong.org here: http://www.store-laf.org/gbj001.html or DM me on Twitter and I'll mail one to you. I found it helpful to have one notebook where I recorded all my information.

5) I also felt empowered by the Livestrong Manifesto, which begins: "We believe in life. Your life....We believe in information. Not pity. And straight, open talk about cancer." http://www.store-laf.org/gbj001.

6) If you are in your child-bearing years and still want to have children talk to your oncologist about protecting your fertility.

7) Was your tissue analyzed by mammaprint or OncotypeDx? These tests can provide some guidance whether or not chemo is necessary.

8) If your oncologist recommends chemo - and you say you don't want it - make sure he/she specifically states why it is considered ESSENTIAL for you. Is your cancer hormone receptor positive? It's important for you to know this, as you know your stage, grade and HER2-new status.

9) I trust that someone is going with you to this appointment? This is very important. Another set of ears is essential. And remember you have TIME to come to a decision you are comfortable with. It took me three weeks to review information, and see four different doctors. The search was worth it. I was diagnosed with a locally advanced breast cancer, had surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and three years of Tamoxifen. This was thirteen years ago. My health is excellent and I've had no recurrence. Wishing the same for you,
Jody

Write down your questions, make sure you get all of them addressed and take someone with you. A second set of ears is always helpful!