Thanks for validating my melt down guys! I have to remember I am in charge of me.
I do love the doc and nurse, And I know she will listen to me when I address all these tests.
My plan was to ask what is going to give doc the most info.
And Chemo is the first thing they will do anyway. Before Surgery.
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You are not nuts, just overwhelmed and overloaded. I have had meltdowns over MUCH smaller medical procedures. I had a mega-meltdown just this past week, as a matter of fact. I blew a gasket over something considered very routine and VERY minor. It happens.
Sometimes a person just needs to regroup and that is OK.
You can do this.
I am jingling hard for you!
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YES, this and this againâŠsaying no is always OK, so is slow down, explain it to me againâŠor anything else.
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Sorry you were overwhelmed. I know when I had scheduling to do, they often thought I was right down the block. (No, try 200 miles away.)
What I managed, though was to get appointments altogether, and then find a hotel to stay in nearby. And my cancer center in one of the most expensive cities. But if you ask, they can often refer you to hotels that give nicely reduced prices. They were still pretty expensive right nextdoor, but I found one whose price was almost 50% of an average price and maybe 5 miles away. And they had a shuttle driver, if needed.
Be sure to keep asking questions. Explain your situation. Keep asking what resources they might have for you.
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MRI and CT will give them different information, both valuable in itself, so they already have a better plan for the surgery and treatments.
When they saw âa big massâ my OB immediately suspected advanced ovarian cancer, scheduled surgery right away because of it and decided no other was going to help any more than him going right in there to look at that.
To his surprise, it was not a tumor once in there, but a bunch of misplaced intestines in the wrong place.
He did say MRI would have told him more, but why waste that time.
Now, your mass may involve other tissues, your surgeon would like to know more what is there, where to go look and the surgery can wait for that, why they want that before going in.
When it comes to how they will do things, I too would question them, but still let them go with what they do every day, they know what they are doing.
They do have to realize that you have a life too and need to consider what fits what you want to do, not just tell you what they will do and not listen to how you feel about it.
Ask all along when you have questions, knowing what to expect makes whatever comes easier to provide for on our end, as patients.
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Do you have someone to be your advocate? It is all so overwhelming when itâs happening, especially at first. My husband went thru this 4 years ago (stage 4 & is fine now, BTW - you got this!!). It is impossible to absorb everything & keep track of what you have to do, what you should do & what you would like to do. Having someone by your side to help is vital. I would catch stuff he totally missed.
I am surprised to hear theyâre talking chemo before surgery - did I read that right? Surgery was 1st thing for hubby, then they knew what/where they were dealing with and could design the chemo around that.
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Bluey is right. CTs and MRIs provide different information so both might be needed and remember both of these are less invasive and far easier on you than surgery 
Take a deep breath and donât be afraid to push back if you think things are happening too quickly. The nature of the treating physicals is to move quickly and promptly when diagnosing and treating for optimal outcomes. That doesnât mean you need to be on their freight train.
I am not suggesting you wait weeks and months but take the time you need. This is where a patient advocate can help as they are advocating for what you need and want, not necessarily what the treatment team wants.
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Double appointments actually make sense .
With that kind of drive, I`d rather spend one long day than have a few crazy mind breaking anxious days between procedures and there will be a whole radiologic team right there working together for You.
Days of waiting before appointments is my worst enemy
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My DH also had chemo before surgery. They wanted to shrink the tumors so theyâd have clear margins when they operated. I think itâs fairly typical for certain types of cancer.
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Being OVERWHELMED 24/7 is frightening !
Tune out the noiseâŠbreathe
[B]Do what YOU can * WHEN you can; nothing more.
Take care of âyouâ in any way possible WHEN you can.
Jingles ![/B]
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This is good advice. There are special medical rates at many hotels. The social worker will have a list and your doctors office will most likely have one as well.
You may have to keep reminding them that you have a long drive to get there. They wonât always remember, and sometimes you may find yourself speaking with someone who doesnât know you.
Chemo and/or radiation is often done before surgery. Nothing weird about that.
Hang in there Sannois!
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Okay, I learned something - I have limited experience with it (thank goodness). Hubbyâs dr thought he would get by w/ no chemo - but after taking 26 lymph nodes along w/ part of colon, it had spread so ended up with chemo.
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Sannois ~ looking in on you ⊠itâs TuesdayâŠhope youâre reading the âsupporting postsâ .
Sunshine ((hugs)) laced with extra strength and patience and of course comfort for you ~
Jingles & AO ~
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Still thinking of you Sannois!
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Thinking of you often and sending positive energy.
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Whatâs up Sannois?
Thinking of you today.
Just checking in to let you know that my thoughts have been with you. I hope that you have been able to regroup and maybe reconnect with the doctors in a way that makes you feel more comfortable (I am not trying to be pushy and I hope I donât sound that way)
Sending a peaceful and quiet little jingle.
My thoughts are with you.
jingle jingle
Any news?
