Chemo Consultation - and feeling apprehensive

Hi,
I had a mastectomey and lymph node removal 30th July and feel fine most of the time. Tommorow, I am going for my oncology consultation and for some reason am feeling quite nervous. Do they speak in words I can understand? I am finding it difficult to understand ‘doctorspeak’ and feel stupid when I ask them to explain it to me again. Any advice would be great.
Thanks, Jane x

Hi Jane

Some docs are better than others at using patient talk instead of doctor talk - but if you dont understand what he or she is saying to you do not be afraid to ask them to explain again (also your bc nurse might be there). There would be nothing worse than going home at night at not understanding whats going to be happening to you. Its your body and you need to understand your treatment so just ask and do not feel stupid!!!

Take care and good luck
Fiona

Hi Jane,

I hope all goes well today with your onc appt, hope I haven’t missed you already! My onc was awesome when I went for my consultation back in April. He had a nurse with him too and she spoke to us afterwards to make sure we understood everything that had been said. I say ‘we’ as I took my boyfriend with me. I tend to switch off half way through these appts or totally misinterpret things so I always take him as a second pair of ears!

On my first appt we were given a load of bumph to take away and read in our own time. I found this really helpful.

Best of luck for today, I hope all goes well,

Take care and be sure to let us know how you get on,

Kelly
-x-

Mine taped the consultation & gave me the tape to bring home, this was very helpful as I could listen to it again if I wasn’t sure of anything.Also got a load of papers to read. Before you go write down any questions you want answered 'cos sure as sure can be you’ll forget them when you get there ( my brain spins madly & not even sure what my name is when I’m anxious )