Hi everyone I’m new to the group but have taken comfort in reading your posts.
My mum has been diagnosed with Cll through a routine blood test at the GP’s and has her first hospital appointment with a Consultant is tomorrow. Any thoughts on what to expect would be greatly appreciated x
Hello Forever Hope,
Welcome. Nice username, BTW. First appointments can be confusing, miserable or great. It all depends on you and the doctor. The important thing to know is write down questions BEFORE you go...as in right now. Keep a current list of questions you wish to ask.
Basic things you want to know right now is White Blood Cell Count, Absolute Lymph Count, Platelets and Hemoglobin results from your blood tests.
You should also ask what tests were done, specifically you are looking for a Flow Cytometry and a FISH Panel. Both of these are very important for Dx CLL.
My first appointment with a Hematologist, after hearing Leukemia lasted 5 minutes and that Ogre answered nothing....I found another Hematologist who is great...she spent over an hour with me on our first appointment answering all kinds of technical questions.
You can definitely expect a ton of people wearing whitecoats all walking around acting important and like they know everything and are so important....don't be fooled...in any room full of whitecoats you are the most important person present. Always remember that.
Scott USA/Maine
I might get me one of those stylish whitecoats for my Sunday Go To Meeting clothes.
Thanks Scott
All that information sounds great , i’ll Write all the test names down as I’m now recruiting myself as my mum’s PA ! I’ve even got myself a fancy notepad ready and waiting for everything that’s said as I know it will feel like a whirlwind trying to support my mum and take in all the details. Thank you for your kind reply x
ForeverHope,
You will find all kinds of people here willing and wanting to help you in every possible way you can imagine. There are some very smart people here, very caring people and all of the people here understand exactly what you are going through.
Scott
Not one of the smart people here.
You seem very smart to me with a winning sense of humour! This is not a group we wanted to join but now we’re here I really do believe knowledge is power.I’m so glad I found it as google can be a terrifying place.
Thanks again Scott for the warm welcome x
Truth is no one wanted to join this club....but now that you are here you will find it is not so bad 
First Post 
maskless cancer hospital
My first appointment at MDAnderson and then the trip home.
My first post.
