Sign in

or Register now

MyBreastCancerNetwork.com

See all of our health sites at www.HealthCentral.com
Monday, November, 23, 2009
  • Font size
Featured ContentPJ Hamel On NPR!

What do I ask on the first visit after diagnosis

WillFightIt
WillFightIt
Close
WillFightIt is Waiting for a prognosis
Recently diagnosed with breast cancer, awaiting exact prognosis

I am a few months shy of my 32nd birthday, diagnosed with Breast...

11/04/09

I am a 31 year old female. My doctor called me this morning to tell that my biopsy showed cancer. I was too stunned to ask any further questions, I remember asking her if it was in situ or invasive to which I remember her telling me that there was some infiltration. My husband and I are hoping to get a list of questions to ask via email. I was thinking of asking the

1. Grade and Stage

2. Biopsy and imaging reports.

Any  suggestions would be highly appreciated.

Answer This
Answers (2)
Phyllis Johnson
Phyllis Johnson
Close
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Survivor

Phyllis Johnson grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. Parents of...

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

It's very common to be too stunned to ask questions when you get a cancer diagnosis.  This article on what to ask the doctor will give you some important basic questions to include.  Write out your questions ahead of time.  My husband and I took a little voice recorder and asked the doctor's permission to record the conversation.  We found when we got home, that we often had different interpretations of what the doctor said, and being able to play back the conversation was very helpful.  It's important to have someone with you to take notes, and it sounds like your husband will be able to do that for you.  If he can't go, be sure to ask someone else.  Don't expect to get every question answered immediately.  Take it one step at a time.

PJ Hamel
PJ Hamel
Close
PJ Hamel is happy to be alive. As always.
Author, breast cancer survivor

Writer, mother, wife, volunteer, and survivor: PJ Hamel joins the...

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Hi - I'm sorry you're having to go through this, but your screen name sounds good and strong! If you haven't already, please visit our mini-site, The First 48 Hours. There's all kinds of good information there, including the link Phyllis gave you for questions to ask, a guide to understanding your pathology report, a vocabulary guide, and other helpful articles.

 

Your doctor will give you all the details of your cancer, as well as outline the proposed treatment. As Phylllis said, it really helps to have something written down - it's all so new to you, and take some time to understand. If you don't use a recorder, bring someone (maybe other than your husband) to take notes, OK? My oncologist was great about writing EVERYTHING down and sending me home with pages of notes to read and reflect on.

 

Best of luck; I hope things go well for you. And please stay in touch here - we can help. PJH

Answer This

Ask a Question

Get answers from our experts and community members.

View all questions (3932) >

Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The HealthCentral Network. The HealthCentral Network does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.

  • Font size
  • Bookmark
  • Save