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Oncologist appointment tomorrow - what questions should I ask?

Pippin24
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After being diagnosed on 18th January and going through all the various test, I finally get to see the oncologist tomorrow. Would like to hear from anyone who has any suggestions about what questions would be good to ask. 

Also what are your experiences of how long it took for treatment to start after first oncology appointment. As my breast cancer is grade 3 and fast growing, I'm worried about it spreading, before my treatment even gets started. 

Was it suggested you have a PICC line or port?

  • Offline in reply to Greeny80

    Hi Greeny,

    I'm sorry to hear about the dodgy tummy and nausea. Here's hoping that you get a few weeks relief before you're due your next injection.

    I'm delighted to hear that you are all off to Canada for Christmas and hope that you have a wonderful time. I'm sorry to hear that hubby is still job searching and that you're now worrying about the company going into liquidation. It truly never rains , but it pours! -  fortunately, there's not much more of this year left for you and here's hoping that it'll be onwards and upwards for 2025!

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Greeny80

    Hi Greeny, totally missed out about how you are feeling, so sorry. It's a shame that the abemaciclib upsets your tummy and makes you nauseous, can't they give you some anti sickness medication to take alongside it? So annoying that the zoaldex makes ir worse, ow long do you have to have these injections for? Really hope it doesn't affect your time away and that you have a wonderful time. Xx

  • Offline in reply to Pippin24

    HI all

    Sorry for the radio silence.  Work has really picked up and I don't get 5 minutes to myself these days!  I have a quick break between meetings so thought I'd drop on to say hello. 

      Sorry to hear you're feeling so poorly on your meds.  Hope they can come up with something to help.  And that's amazing you're off to Canada!  Pack your thermals, it will be chilly lol. 

      Goodness what a time you've been having too.  Glad the new creams are helping with the radiotherapy rash.  Not long to go now.  It is exhausting though going through to the hospital every day, especially with such a long journey and on the M25.  Urgh.  I remember it well. 

    I went radical yesterday and got my hair coloured for the first time since chemo started and ended.  My whole skin tone seems to have changed, so instead of going light, I've gone red and chocolate brown!  It was a bit of a shock when I first saw it (only had it done yesterday) but am gradually getting used to it.  It's quite radical lol but I love it.  Better than looking at the grey ...  

    I'm looking forward to heading to Sussex for Christmas to see the family.  I didn't see them last year as I was too poorly to travel.  We are going horse racing on Boxing Day - a tradition we haven't done in a few years!  So I've got myself some fleece lined leggings in preparation of being very, very cold (though probably not as cold as you  !  

    Not much else to report really.  Just enjoying getting back to normal, getting my strength back and feeling fitter all the time.  I have my first Christmas party tomorrow evening that I'm very much looking forward to.  There are 14 of us going out for dinner and (hopefully!) a dance.  I'm looking forward to getting dressed up.  I'll be driving, so no alcohol, but it will be fun regardless. 

    I hope everyone is doing ok and looking forward to Christmas. 

    Carol xx

  • Offline in reply to Carol1964

    Hi Carol, it's sounds like you have settled back into a normal routine really well. That's so great to hear! Your hair sounds fab, I can't wait to get back to putting a colour on mine again, maybe in the new year. How long have you waited before doing it? It's great that you're feeling fitter and now getting your strength back. Hopefully we'll all have a better and healthier year next year. Have a great tome at your Christmas party tomorrow, I'm sure you'll have a great time. Enjoy Christmas in Sussex with all the family and the horse racing on Boxing day too xx

  • Offline in reply to Pippin24

    Thanks Pippin.  It's so good to feel relatively 'normal' again!  Though I have to say, if I stay up much after 9pm, I do struggle!!  I'm hoping that will get better as time goes on (and as we move into lighter evenings etc).  

    My last chemo was in March, so I guess I waited about 9 months before I had my hair coloured.  The recommendation is at least 6 months.  I was a bit nervous, but it's all ok.  Though my pillow case is covered in red and brown dye!  That's in the wash with the rest of the bedding as we speak, so I'm hoping it comes out ...  

    I am looking forward to getting all dressed up tonight.  I can't remember the last time I did that.  I won't be drinking though as I'll be driving, but just being out with friends and celebrating a Christmas I wasn't sure I'd see, will be amazing.  Shame I have a 3pm meeting to put a damper on today's excitement lol. 

    Enjoy your weekend and I'm sure we will all speak again before Christmas. But if not, have a wonderful time and here's to a happy and healthy 2025 for us all!

  • Offline in reply to Carol1964

    I can feel all the positively coming through when reading uourpist, which is amazing. Thanks for info on hair dye, think I'll give I a little while longer. Have a fab time tonight! Xx

  • Offline in reply to Pippin24

    Hi Pippin,

    Hubby has a host of medical problems - Quadruple by-pass 30 years ago, strokes, TIAs, Parkinson's Disease, Diabetes, Bowen's Disease, Heart Failure, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Vascular Dementia to name but a few. His Dementia is progressing faster than we anticipated and he doesn't seem too worried about the wait - I think that I'm more concerned than he is! He has also had problems with continuous infections for the past year and is due to have surgery to try and remedy this shortly.

    I'm glad to hear that you have a scheduled phone call with oncology for 23rd December and I hope that you can get things sorted out then.

    Regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Pippin24

    That was meant to say your post lol!!!

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Hi Jolamine, sorry to hear how many issues your husband is having to deal with, it must be so difficult for you both. I hope things improve in the coming year. Xx

  • Offline in reply to Pippin24

    Thanks Pippin.

    Jolamine xx

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