I have chronic lymphatic leukemia what questions should i ask my doctor?

i CLL and i'm meeting with my doctor for the first time since i was told. i don't know alot about the disease and i just don't know what i should ask my doctor.

I would make sure you know your stage, which goes from 0 to 4. If you've had a bone marrow biopsy, ask for a thorough explanation of what that means. You have a right to all your medical records, so bring home copies for home study. There are a lot of good web sites with information (or you can find someone to point you to it). Remember, the doc now works for you, and get all the contact phone numbers, pagers, doctor's exchange, e-mails and, most importantly, butter up the office nurse. Just kidding, but a lot of things can be accomplished through the nurse. Also, ask about clinical trials you might qualify for.

Determining your stage is very, very important, and your staging workup might not be complete yet. For stage 0, they basically just watch your white blood cell counts. For stage IV, there is a lot more involved.

I wish you luck and will keep you in my thoughts. Get some sleep and it will help.

I would research many sites and get some books at your library. I believe there are many sites on many different diseases, as well as, support sites.
I know a lady that had this several years ago and is doing just great.
Good luck!

The website below gives you some sample questions to ask your doctor about your specific illness. I always write down what I want to ask before I go for doctor's visit so I don't forget. Good Luck

Ask the doctor how many patients he has cured of this disease, and then watch his eyes.

If he doesn't treat cancer, ask the cancer specialist the same question, again watching his eyes.

Next ask him if he would take the same treatment he's recommending for you, and watch his eyes.

Over 75% of oncologists in a study candidly replied that they would NOT take the same treatment they recommend to their patients.

What does that tell you?

You might also look around the waiting room and take note of what the patients look like. Then ask them how long they've been getting treated.

The new ones will be hopeful and probably nervous. The ones who have been getting treated for a month or two will look a good deal different from the new patients.

I cured myself of Stage 4 cancer in two weeks. That was nine years ago. You can bet that I did not rely on chemotherapy.

Good luck and be well.

Kelley

Check this site for the best info:
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls
Best wishes