One additional point, when you talk to the doctor(s), have someone with you to help remember what was said and understand the answers to your questions. For those of us who don't work in medicine, the extremely unfamiliar vocabulary can be daunting. Or, when one is already flummoxed or stressed, just sound like gobbledygook. And some people are reluctant to re-ask a doctor to re-explain something. It's also a good idea to just record the meeting...you can use your cellphone for that. You can re-, or rere-listen to what the doctor said at your leisure, research unfamiliar terms or treatment options and slowly start to make sense of it all. Then feel more confident of the path ahead.