Questions I asked the Dr

1. First off I bought a beautiful notebook that also included encouraging verses on the pages. I took my notebook with me to each Dr appt I had, in there I wrote down all the questions I had , the procedures and such that the Dr's explained to me.,also the dates I had my surgeries ,and begun with treatment and meds, as I was leafing through the pages , in getting this post prepared, I realized how important this is, as there are so many things I would have forgotten.

2. Take someone with you , to listen and also write down all the doctor, informs you of. Reason for this: Your brain is in schock, there are things your doctor will tell you,that will fly straight over your head, that you yourself will have no recollection of , once you are home. That is why it is good to write down what they are explaining to you. And also to have that other person along that will recall what the doc explained.  As always ,two heads are better than one.

3. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if you think you are showing your ignorance...remember they spent years studying and training for their occupation. And you /I are a total novice and just beginning to comprehend the mysterious world of BC.


4.Request a copy of your Pathologist report, for your own records and also to educate yourself on exactly what is happening on the inside of your body. My own experience, this is not something that was handed to me willingly, but grit and persistence won it for me. My BIL did a good job of breaking down the terms to me , but you can also Google the terms and learn what HER2 and ER-PR positive or negative and such like definition is in cancer jargon.

                                                                                                                       

Following are some of the questions I asked , on my first vists

1.What type of cancer is this ?

2. What category?

3.Exactly were in the lump, are the cancer cells?

4.Is this a contained cancer?

5.What receptors does the cancer express?

6.Lumpectomy versus mastectomy ? Which is wiser?

7.How much pain/risks /recuperation time are involved with either surgery?

8.Approximatly how many hours will each surgery take ?

9.Will there be any permanent pain ?

10.How long will I need to stay in the Hospital?

11.And the double doozy question that my doctor was so not impressed with, but I had to ask, for my own peace of mind... 
What if I decide not to pursue any medical treatment? What will my prognosis be as far as years to live and quality of life?

12. Do I need to check with my health insurance about coverage for reconstruction?

13.What is my prognosis with treatment?

14. Explain the lymph node biopsy procedure to me.