Make the MOST of your Health Care Provider visits.

The diagnosis of breast cancer is frightening and confusing enough. It is easy to feel lost in a world of unfamiliar medical terms and procedures. Questions and concerns about diagnosis, treatment plans, money and prognosis can cause you to worry and feel lost. Sometimes you are unclear of where to begin.

Being prepared for your visits can make you more confident and save a lot of time and frustration. The truth is you are being bombarded with a lot of information. This information may make you feel silly or stupid to ask a question or to admit that you do not understand. It is natural to be less able to grasp new things now than you would normally be able to. I hope the following tips will be helpful in reducing the stress.

• It takes a team. But remember you are the team leader.You will have many appointments with multiple health care professionals who will make recommendations for your care. As the patient you have the FINAL decision.
• When possible, assign roles to your team. Roles such as: finances and insurance concerns, health care visits, communication,
• Do not be afraid to seek a second opinion. They are not only available but encouraged by most health care providers in the cancer field.
• Have a three ring binder to use as a comprehensive organizer to deal with your treatment plan. This binder should include: appointment calendar, journaling pages, financial resources, physician card holders. Special worksheets should be created for medication schedules and comments, lab value trends, diagnostic dates (include ordering physician, location of of test)
• Be responsible after EVERY appointment to get copies of YOUR records; this will save time in the future and allow you to keep a time line of your appointments, medications, diagnostics and lab trends.
• Within your binder keep track of all your appointments, dates of chemo or other medications in the event you don't feel well a family member can be able to tell how long it has been since you received treatment or had a medical test.
• Try to have your tests done at the same facility for the best comparison in the future.
• Call ahead on the day of your appointment (including diagnostics) to make sure they are running on time. *Rule of thumb BE EARLY- they might be able to "slide you in" Late- you may loose your slot.
• Begin your appointment with a list of questions that you have kept in your binder. Take time before you get into the patient room to organize your thoughts, ask your team if they have any questions.
• Take along a tape recorder, and ask if you can use it. There are unfamiliar concepts that are being described to you the tape recorder will give you a chance to listen later at your own pace.
• Don't be afraid to ask for help from your health care provider at any time. When is it not acceptable to call him. Know what the office process is when you have a concern. Should you call his nurse? email him? Which is the best way to get information when you are concerned.