Hello Yvonne - I'll repeat an old joke here - my Dad used to use it when us kids were nervous about how to behave about the "important" people in our church hierarchy were going to be at dinner with our dear pastor. "He's a man, just like the rest of them - still puts his pants on one leg at a time - even under his cassock." So relax, the pulmonologist is a doctor, just like your primary - he still is there to help patients - he just concentrates on lungs.
As for questions, what I have found helpful when dealing with a complex situation:
Take a pad of post-it notes (or small strips of paper) and write one question on each as I think of them.
When I run out of ideas, I sit down with the pile and organize them, most to least important, and combine questions where I can.
Next, write them in order of importance, neatly & succinctly on a pad of paper, leaving room for notes about the answers.
At the appointment, try to focus first on what the doc is saying - many questions might be answered as he talks with you. Then, at the end say "I have a few more questions..."
If the doctor orders tests, and you sense there is time, ask what each is for, if not, write them down & look them up.
Finally, ask if you may have a written after-visit summary that will often contain notes about what the doctor observed, what he is trying to rule out, and maybe even a tentative diagnosis.
Does this help?
Sue
Hi Sue! I was thinking more along the lines of if theres the 6 min walk test, or the test where my nose gets clipped shut and I have to breathe in and out as quick as I can, or the inhale as deep as you can into the gizmo with the little plastic ball.
I'm not nervous about him being higher up the proverbial ladder than I, I'm nervous because this could be the day I actually finally start finding out what's wrong, illnesses that could be eliminated and ones that could still be "in play ". They say it wasnt covid, some said it wasnt pneumonia, one said Interstitial lung, another said the symptoms dont match, I dont think its asthma nor COPD. The only sure thing was the second time whatever it was included sepsis. And the bronchoscopy test results showed nothing.
My own doctor wont even advise me if getting the pneumococcal vaccine is safe. He said ask the pulmonologist. So yes my list is growing!