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First oncology appointment on the phone.

Kellyj1305
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I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 15th Sept. I had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed on 19th October and have been waiting for the next stage, my oncology appointment. I was told that I would see the oncology department and be given a plan for the treatment and lots of things to read over etc. Today I received my appointment, but it for a telephone appointment. The time is 3.40 on a Monday. I'm a single mum with 4 children, how am I supposed to take it all in over the phone. After feeling really looked after until now, I now feel like they don't care. Has anyone else had a first oncology appointment over the phone? What happened?

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    Hi Kelly,

    A very warm welcome to the forum.

    I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but glad to hear that you have already had surgery and I hope that you are recovering well. Having a phone consultation with your oncologist and 4 children running around is not the easiest way to discuss the way forward. Do you have family or friends who could look after them while you have your chat. 

    If you tell your oncologist your situation, they might be happy for you to record the conversation. We tend to forget a large proportion of any hospital conversation before we leave the hospital gates, so Iyou'll probably not miss out on all that much. The other thing that you could do is to phone the hospital and see if you could be seen in hospital or at a more suitable time, when some of the children are at school. However, this might  cause further delay in talking to the oncologist.

    Covid is still making some appointments difficult. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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    Hi, I had my first chemo oncologist appoitment over the phone. 
    My phone call lasted over 30mins and Jotted down notes as a reminder /prompts.

    I had a list of questions to ask too. 

    I then needed a physical appoitment to sign consent forms to go ahead with chemotherapy which in my case was another 3weeks delay.

    If at all possibile maybe get someone to look after your children for your phone appoitment. 
    I put the call on speaker phone so my hubby could listen in and have input too.

    best of luck going forward

    Efffie x

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