← Return to Meeting the liver specialist: What should I know or ask?

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@rosemarya

@lynjoy2, Welcome to Mayo Connect. I remember being referred to a specialist when I was beginning my liver journey. And I remember how impressed I was with the amount of knowledge he had about the liver! I also entered the appointment with a list of questions for him, and want to suggest that you begin to write down every question that pops into your head, or anything that concerns you. Don't worry about the length - you can edit it on the 26th.
As a patient, you don't have to know anything - just be prepared to listen and learn. Take someone with you, if possible, as an extra set of ears. You will likely be nervous and that makes it hare to really concentrate or remember. The doctor might want labs drawn in advance of the visit, or want updates to your medical history and medications. But he will let you know in advance.

I received a liver and kidney transplant 16 years ago due to a progressive liver disease. The most important thing that I learned is that any question that I had was always a good one to ask my doctor. So to begin this conversation with you, let me ask you a question to help get your list started: What is your biggest fear or concern related to your liver right now?

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Replies to "@lynjoy2, Welcome to Mayo Connect. I remember being referred to a specialist when I was beginning..."

@rosemarya, great post full of very helpful information!

@lynjoy2, it's so good that you are asking these questions now. I had a kidney transplant, and writing down questions for the transplant team in advance was helpful for me. I found that I never would have remembered all that I wanted to ask when I got to the actual appointments if I hadn't had them written out already. And although I listened very carefully to everything that was said to me at my appointments, and I was certain that I had absorbed it all, I found out that I actually hadn't absorbed it all. It seemed like every day my support person was telling me (or reminding me) about something that I was told during the appointments that I couldn't for the life of me remember hearing. So an extra set of ears was definitely helpful for me. Wishing you all the best!

Rosemary is absolutely correct, especially about taking an extra set of ears to all appointments. The info can be a bit overwhelming.