A week ago I had a mass removed from my colon.

[Atticus]

15. Not a doctor or nurse, but these are my thoughts:

I'd want to know what TYPE cancer they found. What is its name? How is it spelled?

I'd ask how my cancer is characterized as to how likely it is to have metasticized or spread. Are any other organs involved? Am I now cancer free?

What type of screening tests have been done to determine if cancer has spread? Will I have scheduled follow-up screenings to insure I'm cancer free?

What are the treatment options? Pros and cons of each including success rate or effectiveness and side effects.

Finally, I would take a family member or trusted friend with me if at all possible to be another pair of ears listening to the answers to all the above. If the doctor is agreeable, use a small recorder to tape what is said so don't have to memorize unfamiliar terms and exactly what was said. If doctor does not want to be recorded, take the recorder anyway and dictate a summary of what was just said ad soon as you leave doctor's office.

Best of luck.