When you first make the doctor’s appointment you’re going to be nervous. If the doctor tells you it’s nothing then that’s good news (you may still want to get a second opinion). It’s normal to be nervous prior to going and nothing I say is going to change that.

If the doctor says something is out of place and you need further tests then you’re in a league of extraordinary gentlemen. I’m not going to cover what the doctor tells you. I’m not a doctor. What I will say is listen carefully. Ask for a pen and paper (or better yet, bring one with you to the appointment). Write down your questions and ask them. Write down the answers. When you get home there will be some answered questions you still don’t understand. Call your doctor and ask followup questions. Once you’re satisfied you understand the answers, double check them. Get a second opinion or research the information yourself.

Both of my doctors communicated very clearly to me and I’m very grateful to both Dr Ray and Dr Devine for that courtesy. There were very few questions I didn’t understand the answers to. I purposely avoided reading ahead on the Internet. What I mean is, I didn’t second guess the diagnosis. I only used the Internet to clear up questions that I didn’t understand. I then went back to the doctors and re-asked the questions to confirm that I truly understood the answers.