What do I ask on the first visit after diagnosis

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.

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