Hi , after diagnosis in July I had a mastectomy in late August and i am waiting to start chemo. I have an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow but can anyone tell me what to expect at this meeting x
My first appointment was n enormous amount of info on the different chemo I would get, why I was getting it, what the expected outcome was, what the side effects were, what I needed to do prior to chemo starting... It was a LOT to take in!
My advice is to take a notebook with you and take as many notes as you can and don't be afraid to ask them to repeat anything or explain anything you don't understand. I also had a few basic questions noted down that i wanted to ask them.
I found my oncologists were really excellent and wanted to make sure I was happy with everything and they took the time to explain anything I needed them to.
Did you go in on your own or take someone with you? My appointment is Monday but it won’t be as long as yours as I am just down for radiotherapy and HT ( I think). I am just awful for not taking everything in so would like it if my hubby can come in as he is very on the ball! I will take nitepad with me though as I have some questions about biophosphates etc.
My oncologist couldn't wait for me to leave. It was booked as a 45 minute appointment, but after 15 mins that was it.
The nurse was very generous with her time and we chatted with her afterwards, but that is not the same.
I have only had one appointment with my oncologist so far (I am in the middle of neo-adjuvant chemo at the moment).
My impression of oncologists is not good. I have some other consultants for different health issues who are wonderful, but they are at my local hospital. Marsden is doing my cancer.
My husband has come with me to all of my appointments. We are in this together and check things out. A notebook has been essential for us as well. Even on our first meeting with the oncologist we had questions. I believe that I should come out feeling more confident than when I went in. I also use the MacMillan help line to check out and confirm what I have heard. I also received 6 sessions of counselling from MacMillan. It is free and was brilliant. The nurses on the chemo treatment suits are also a good source of advice. No question is too trivial good luck
I’m sorry your oncologist isn’t very helpful. I thought the oncologist/consultants at the Marsden would be better than that. I hope your experience Improves.
I agree, Meanegg, I would have expected better going by their reputation. I wonder if they suffer from arrogance, or are so busy with the high fee paying private patients from the Middle East etc that there's no time left for the NHS patients. Who knows, but one consultant was appalling, the other one (mine) is at least a likeable person. But lots of mistakes, forgotten tests etc.
I did have a good appointment today with a registrar and the nurses are wonderfully kind. I get the feeling that the nurses are what keeps the show on the road - without them, the whole lot would collapse into mayhem.
