First oncology appointment

Hi Robina

I hope that you will be permitted to go with him. Its a very stressful time and, from my experience, a lot of what is said will go over his head. Either way, make sure to take a note pad and pen to jot things down for later.

Not sure if he has had any scans yet, so it might be too early to discuss the options available to him. But if I'm wrong, then they will discuss what they are. No decision has to be made at this point and, as PC is slow growing ( and he is already on Prostap) there is no urgency. Write copious notes; ask why one option is suggested over another ( if they do). Be aware that surgeons may recommend surgery ( if its an option) over RT because they are surgeons! As he is on Prostap, make sure he is prescribed Calcium/vitamin D tablets as the Prostap can weaken the bones. If it hasn't been prescribed then you need to understand why - my GP ignored the letter from the hospital! Allied to this, ask for all correspondence with your GP to be sent to him as well.

Sorry the above is a bit of a muddle but I hope it helps.

Regards

Stuart

We have our first appointment today so if there is anything I can feed back to you I will. I have been up all night being sick as I am so stressed but trying so hard not to let my husband know as I don't want him worried about me.

Sorry to interrupt, but yes it’s stressing my other half out and we don’t realise they are going through all what us guys feeling with this silent cancer , then I worry for her , but glad she is on this journey to get us back to normal 

Good day to you , I went last week for my one to one with consutant and wrote down things I wanted to know , but I am hard of hearing so I had phone in pocket on record ( don’t know if I was allowed to ) but I played it back later and fully grasped what was said and that helped tremendously, john 

Thank you for that information. No one has mentioned vitamin supplements so far. We will ask about that. He  has already been advised that he is not suitable for surgery and will have radiotherapy. Once he was diagnosed his appointments were by telephone  with specialist nurse. This will be first face to face appointment since his diagnosis in February.

I will take lots of notes and ask about supplements.

Kind regards Robina

I too can’t have surgery or the seed brachnotherapy one because of Crohn’s, so fingers crossed I can have the RT , all very worrying , but I’m sure weee all in good hands 

Hi. I went with my OH and after the introductions etc asked if I could record the consult. I felt then I was able to listen and question whilst not worrying about getting things written down.. do some research - there’s studies around triple therapy if OH needs chemo for example. Ask what happens and how future management works after RT etc.

mall the very best.

HI Shar

My husband has been very keyed up about his appointment. I think knowing what is happening actually takes some of the stress away I find it’s not knowing that is more stressful. 

I hope your appointment goes well today and I’d be keen to hear how you get on kind regards Robina

Hi Robina

As he will be having RT ask about a diet sheet - it's my pet piece of advice re RT!

Aside from the fatigue - which he will also have to endure with the Prostap- my only side effect, from the RT, was because I didn't follow the dietary advice. I understand from other posts, some hospitals don't give out advice at all, others say eat as normal. For me eating as normal most definitely wasn't a good idea! The diet I was told to follow was low fibre everything, no alcohol or caffeine. The logic, I believe, is that the RT can irritate the bowel - as does high fibre food, caffeine and alcohol -  which will make the RT side effects much worse.

Regards

Stuart

Thank you Hanandy.and Jonnymac  I will ask about recording I hadn’t considered that before. 

I will check some of websites again for information before we go. Everyone on the forum has been very helpful with advise.

kind regards Robina