Going to MO for first time today

Deb65

Any advice about questions to ask? Thanks so much. This is all so new and scary.

HappyAnyway

Hi Deb65. I am meeting my MO for the first time on Tuesday. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I'm praying for you.

Ingerp

I'm sure there are some wonderful threads here about what to ask but it's probably more important at this point to listen and take notes. You will get your tumor type (if you didn't already get that from your biopsy) and proposed treatment. I'd done enough research on BCO that I knew what would be recommended for me before I ever met my MO. You'll likely have a teaching session before you start chemo, if that is in your treatment plan. That will answer many/most of your questions (although, again, I'd learned so much from threads here that by the time the nurse had finished answering all of my questions, she didn't have much left to tell me). You can follow threads based on your diagnosis, your particular treatment, and there's a new "Chemo starting April 2019", "Radiation starting April 2019". . . every month. It's good to read those but also helpful to read the ones from 1-2-3 months before you start for really good recommendations/tips.

I feel it's important to keep in mind that for most of us, this is a blip--something you will get through and past. It's all-consuming now, but there will come a time when life will get <mostly> back to normal.

Deb65

Hi Happy Anyway,

How did your appointment with the MO go? I started chemo last Wednesday and it all feels like its moving so fast. So far just one not so good day. How did your scans come out? It was a huge relief when mine came out clean. That was a huge fear of mine. This is so stupidly hard but we are doing it and we got this. Cancer didn't stand a chance!!!

santabarbarian

With TNBC, I would ask

-"what subtype am I?"

-"how long will you give my chemo before expecting a response, and if I do not get a response, what will you switch me to?"

-would I benefit from taking Metformin?

I was given Taxotere/Carboplatin, and I think that this combo is more tolerable than AC/T. Maybe ask about this?

Kkmay

It’s scary at first, but once you start the treatment, you’ll gain a sense of control, and thereby feel better. Just take it one day at a time.

In addition to the above questions, ask him whether he will add Carbo to your chemo. Many studies stated that it significantlyimprove outcomes for TNBC.

Cowgirl13

santabarbarian, what a great list of questions to ask! Kudos.