Getting results tomorrow, doctor asked me to bring someone

Also consider asking if you can record the consultation. Re-listening later can be very helpful.

Hope your results are must better than you suspect...

LisaAlissa

ToughCookie - first of all my condolences on losing your mom. I'm sure this makes this all a lot harder for you.

It's a hard call. I can see the appeal of having a night of "blissful not knowing" in case it turns out that there is cancer.

Or. you could look at your report and use it to help make a list of questions to ask your GP tomorrow. If you need any treatment, he/she won't be able to answer a lot questions related to that - those answers would come from your breast surgeon and medical oncologist. However a family practitioner could likely answer more general questions about cancer, give referrals for trusted surgeons or oncologists, etc.

Tips for handling the news? When I got my diagnosis 2 months ago I took a lot of comfort in taking action, even small stuff. Here are some of the things I recommend based on what I did/wish I did in the first few days after I got my diagnosis:

- researching on line to find the best place to be treated. I don't know where you live but you could check out this website to look to see if any of these hospitals are near you: National Cancer Institute Cancer Centers (I'm assuming you're in the US)

- if you aren't aware already, get up to date on your health insurance plan. What doctors, surgeons, hospitals, etc. are in-network, what your copays and deductibles are, etc. (also a US thing mostly I believe)

- create a "play book" : a 3-ring binder with dividers and pockets. You could be getting a lot of info in the next few weeks. It really helped me to already have an organized place to keep it.

- get recommendations of oncologists and surgeons from people you trust, like friends who have been treated lately, your doctors, etc.

- do some things that you won't be able to do if you start chemo soon, such as schedule any dental work you need (including cleanings). I didn't think to get vaccinations for pneumonia and shingles which I would have done had I known (I'm older than you and already had shingles this year - you might not want those shots.)

- do some research on the diagnostic tests that you might have scheduled, like breast MRI, PET scan, etc. It's a lot less scary when you know exactly what the test is going to entail.

- make a good, long list of all the questions you have for the surgeon and oncologist. There is good advice on line about how to prepare for your first consultation. I visited a few sites and combined the info + added a lot of questions of my own.

Again, I'm a planner and list maker so that comforted me when I first got the news. Hope some of the suggestions are useful to you.

GOOD LUCK!

ToughCookie101,

My prayers go out to you on the passing of your mother and now having to face this yourself. AgathaNYC gave wonderful advice, but we know each person is different. Yes, you will need someone with you to hear what you may miss. The nurse called me to give me the news and she did ask if I had someone with me and I did because I was at work, but by the time she called, I had a gut feeling and just knew. The best part for me, if I can say that, was that it gave me time to digest the news and decide how I would tell my husband and sons. Once I told them, then I allowed my emotions to set in and I cried in private. Bevin mentioned how important it is to establish a relationship with the oncologist that you choose and this is essential. I am a lot like AgathaNYC in that, I am a pre-planner as well, but did not research until I had the appointment with the surgeon I chose and we determined a path to go. My boss is a retiring medical oncologist and along with advising me get a 2nd opinion, he also told me and educated patient will be the best patient. That is when I became a 'scholar'. :-) Your life may feel like it's spinning out of control now, but soon it will settle and you will wonder how you made it. Hang in there and keep us updated. We are all here to support each other.