meeting neurosugeon wednesday

[scarriegirl]

i have heard reference to a list of questions to ask the surgeon...can someone direct me to it??  and please add anything you think will be helpful going into this appt!! thanks guys...you are great 
-carrie

[sgerrard]

Someone piping up here. 

ANA web site question list:
   http://www.anausa.org/questions_for_physicians.html

Kate's question list:
   http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=53.msg72087#msg72087

Some have found taking a recorder and recording the consultation is helpful. Others find taking a companion to be a second set of ears helps. It is easy to forget to ask certain questions, and to lose track of all the things the doctor says. Take notes.

I would also suggest asking the point blank questions we are sometimes reluctant to blurt out: Will this work? Have you done this before? Will I be okay? Would you be worried if a member of your family was having this procedure?

Steve

[MAlegant]

I'm such a geek.    I wrote them all down (iphone) and read them off one by one.  Also had my husband there to look over my shoulder.  At several points along the way, I stopped thinking clearly and he asked the remaining questions.  So, take your questions with you and one other person to keep you on task. Oh yeah, write down the answers.   It was hard to keep those straight by the time I got to the 3rd doctor.
Good luck,
Marci

[Debbi]

If you're a geek, Marci, I can't imagine what that makes me!  I compiled all my questions into a 5-page Word document which I then printed, in duplicate (one for me and one for Willie) to take to each appointment.  When I got home, I would carefully transcribe both Willie's and my notes into the document and then print it out again for us both to review.  Geekdom to the max!  But it worked.  There were a couple of times when I totally shut down for a few minutes so it was really important for me to have Willie there with me. 

And, one the occasion when one of the surgeons whipped out an actual human mastoid bone to demonstrate something, nearly causing my squeemish husband to faint, I was there with my own set of notes!   

I would suggest to anyone that they make a list of all questions, no matter how silly or trivial they may seem, and don't leave until they are answered.  Also, bring an advocate to all appointments - having another set of ears is just invaluable.

Carrie, let us know how the appointment goes, okay?

Debbi

[MAlegant]

OK Debbi, you can be the queen of geek for the moment.  It won't last....