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Keys to a Successful Doctor's Appointment

Visiting Mayo Clinic | Last Active: Oct 4 10:56am | Replies (57)
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@rick137

@dloos

My post was an interpretation of the recommendations on many PCRI videos.

A concept is one thing, implementing it another. For example, I fully agree that changing doctors is hard if not impossible. Anyone who has to remain the patient of a doctor who is dismissive/hostile truly has my condolences.

Perhaps I should have stated that patient involvement/knowledge has a spectrum from zero to what I stated as the maximum/gold/cadillac standard. I hope we would agree that anything is better than nothing.

I will post my experience after the treatment meeting next week, i.e. will all my effort have been worthwhile.
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Replies to "@dloos My post was an interpretation of the recommendations on many PCRI videos. A concept is..."
dloos | @dloos | Apr 21 1:58pm

rick137
I am sorry if I sounded scolding.
That was not my intention. It seems so much is put onto the patient when illness prevents what you might normally accomplish.

It took me a year to get out of my Medicare Advantage hostage situation.
Even paying “out of pocket” most doctors won’t see you if you are in an “advantage” set-up.

Of course, when well and only going to a yearly check-up, most people don’t give it a second thought. I know I did not.
And once free, looking for doctors that suit you and your condition is a daunting task.

I hope your appointment goes well.

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rick137 | @rick137 | May 5 9:36am

@dloos
As expected the appointment went well. The Doctor agreed to have the appointment recorded. He first reviewed the PET/CT results, the colorized images were stunning, and then presented the initial treatment pathway of ADT simultaneous with proton therapy. The PET/CT scan showed the cancer had metastasized to the pelvic lymph nodes and pelvic wall. Good news and bad news. Bad it had metastasized as afar as it had, good that it had not metastasized further. I was started on HT the same day as the appointment.

There was simply not enough time to discuss in detail genetic testing and the treatment path after proton therapy is complete. Those questions will be addressed by a Medical Oncologist in an upcoming appointment.

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