Questions to think about before a check-up
When you’re in remission with aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), it’s important that you have regular check-ups to keep track of your progress. To help your doctor assess this, you will be asked lots of questions about how you’re feeling, and how you think you’re coping, at each visit.
It is also important that you ask your doctor anything you want to know about NHL or your progress while you’re there. Discussing your worries or concerns at these check-up visits can help your healthcare team identify, and provide you with, all the support you need.
The questions below will help you start thinking about what you might want to know and what you might want to ask during your appointments.
Questions once your initial treatment is over
- How long will the benefits of my treatments last?
- What further tests might be needed? How often might they be needed?
- What will these tests show?
- How often will I have to attend the clinic for a check-up?
- How long will I need to continue to have check-ups?
- What happens if the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma relapses?
- What are the likely signs of relapse?
- Is there anything we can do to keep the disease away during remission?
Questions to think about before any check-up visit
- How have you been feeling since your last visit?
- Have you experienced any symptoms?
- Has anything happened regarding your health or personal circumstances that your doctor should know about?
- How are you feeling emotionally about living in remission?
- Would you say you are coping with your situation?
- How have your family and friends been reacting recently?
- Are you receiving the emotional and practical support you need?