1st Hospital Clinic Visit & Planning

Thanks for the additional info :)
Hubby is working a long shift on the day of my 1st Hospital Clinic & he's recently used up most of his work leave by having a Heart Attack 4 weeks ago!! That's why I'd like to try to guage how "in depth" that appointment might be. If it's just going to be general info & booking for another test then it would be okay for him to miss that one. It'd be more important for him to be there for appointment/s where discissions would be had about actual treatments & treatment plans.

Just ask. Anything and everything. It’s often good to have someone less immediately affected by the whole thing with you, as they are more likely to remember important parts of a slew of information, or to ask the questions you don’t think of. I reckon that how your medical team respond to questions is a pretty good indicator of how you will get on - open and helpful communication is a good start to working together. Best wishes. 

@Gears0715  - here is a link of things to consider taking with you to hospital! 

I was only in 'over night' with a lumpectomy, so only took few bits .... and the magazines were SUCH a bonus over books!  The ear plugs and eye mask were a GODSEND!

https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/20232/hospital-bag-what-to-pack/p1

Hi @Gears0715,

Welcome to the forum lovely.  @Arpie pretty much has it covered.  You could ask your GP to refer for the CT and MRI that way they might have the results for your first appointment.  My GP did the CT and bone scan  because it was in the nodes already.  Because I wanted a lumpectomy if possible and no body could find the breast tumour the surgeon got the MRI done to search for the sneakly litle bugger.
 The end up was lumpectomy, axillary dissection, chemo, rads, hormone therapy.

The surgeon may have an idea of treatment (this is not really their specialty though)  sometimes they are right and sometimes not.  But as Arpie said your case will probably go to the MDT meeting to get opinions for all sides.
You seem very on top of it all, so kudos for that. Well done. 
 Absolutely get copies of everything and a zillion questions.  If you don't understand something (there is a whole new language to learn) just keep asking until you do.  You are you're own best advocate along the way so don't be afraid to speak up.
All the best sweet.
xoxoxoxo

Welcome to the blog, @Gears0715 - sorry to see you here, but it is the best spot for getting support and answers to any query that you may have, from those who 'get it' as we've been thru it too.     It is always a big shock when the diagnosis comes thru - and you  are now on a very long treadmill .....

Yes, the waiting really sucks.  Do you have someone to go to your appts with you?  Just the physical support is good & also an extra set of ears that may 'pick up' on something that is said that you may miss.  I also record my appts on my phone, as 'backup'.  It is easy to miss something when you are pondering one statement - and they make another one that you may miss.

Well done on being so organised & efficient in the lead up to your treatment.  Do you live in a city or are you rural? (You can add your 'general' area to your profile, then others nearby may be able to point you to specific services available to you.)  If you are rural & have to travel more than 100k to appointments, you can claim 'petrol money' and accommodation expenses back from the Health Dept (Isolated Patients Travel & Accommodation Scheme) or similar.  Each state's is slightly different.

Have you decided whether to go private or public?  I went private for my surgery & ended up being about $6000 out of pocket.  I was advised of $4000 before the surgery ..... so make sure you ask your surgeon what the gaps are!  Most surgeons work in both areas.  I even had to pay $500 towards my pathology!  I went public for my radiation & didn't pay a penny.  My husband went public for his chemo & only paid the PBS fee.

If family & friends offer to do things for you - cook meals, mow your lawn, walk your dog etc - even tho you may think you are up to it - let them do it - it takes some pressure off you & gives them a way of helping you.  

They may do a bone density test. After you have your surgery, the lumps will be analysed and the pathology results sent to your surgeon.  The surgeon usually has a 'team' that he works with - a medical oncologist (chemo & tablets) and radiation oncologist - and dependent on your results, they will formulate the treatment plan then.  You will usually be called back a week or so after surgery to discuss the options.   If the nodes are involved, the chances of requiring chemo increase.    MRI/CT (I have found) is usually only done if they think it has spread further than the breast. 

Make sure you ask for copies of ALL your results and ask as many questions as you need to, to understand the results.  Take notes!  I have a BIG BOX that all my scans, reports etc live in - so I can grab anything I need & find it easily.

Make sure that your GP and all members of your team (once known) are on all of your referrals (even if you have to write them on yourself!) . It is important that the reports go to all of the team.  One may pickup on something that the others don't.  After each 'visit', a report should be sent to your GP, so vital they are on the list.

If you find yourself stressing about anything - ask if there is a counsellor or psychologist that you can see .... don't let it become a bigger problem by putting it off.  Sometimes there are 'wait times' there too .... which makes it all the more stressful!

I hope you have supportive family, friends & work colleagues around you - as many of us find the emotional/mental toll to be more difficult than the actual surgery & recovery!  Weird, I know!

Take care & all the best for your appt  xxx