Questions to ask yourself and your medical team.

This is the guide our advocates walk people through. Some of it is for the doctor. Some of it is for you — because whether this team is the right one is a question worth asking out loud.

Talk it through with an advocate

Most importantly — take another person to your appointments, and record the conversation so you can go back and review what was said.

Want these on paper?

Sky Doctor Questions prints every question to a clean checklist you can take to your appointment.

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What is pancreatic cancer?

Understanding the diagnosis and who is treating it

What type of pancreatic cancer do I have — adenocarcinoma or neuroendocrine?

Have you treated pancreatic cancer before? Is it your specialty?

What has the general outcome of those patients been?

Does each patient have a full medical care team? Do you assemble it, or do I?

What are my treatment options?

Surgery, medication, and what to expect

What treatments are recommended?

If this is a surgeon — how many pancreatic cancer surgeries have you performed? Is surgery a possibility for me?

What is Whipple surgery, and what can I expect from the recovery?

Are there treatment options available that you do not provide? (Protocol treatments, herbal or touch therapy, other alternative therapies, clinical trials.)

What are the risks and benefits of each treatment?

What medications are being prescribed? What are they for, and what are their side effects?

How should I expect to feel during treatment?

Who is on your team, and are you ready for the changes?

Building the team around you and planning for daily life

What other professionals should I have as part of my medical team?

Do you recommend a nutritionist?

Do you recommend a psychologist or therapist?

Should I do genetic testing? Is this hereditary?

How will pancreatic cancer affect my quality of life?

How will it affect my ability to work?

What physical limitations are possible?

Will my current lifestyle change?

Are you a priority for your medical team?

Questions to ask yourself after the appointment

Does my doctor appear interested in me personally, and in my diagnosis?

Do I feel that my doctor cares about my medical outcome?

Do I have psychological and emotional support? Family and professional support both matter.

Am I comfortable with my medical team?

Have I had an additional consultation with another doctor? Should I get a second or third opinion?

Going further

Emotional and financial support

Road Map for Patients

Seven organizations that help — who to call, and the first step for each (PDF).

Community Support Circle on Facebook

A safe space to share information, experiences and journeys.

Life After Whipple series

Virtual seminars on what survivors face after surgery, with Q&A.

My Faulty Gene

Genetic counselling, testing locations nationwide, and financial support.

New Day Foundation

Financial and emotional support for families facing cancer.

Imerman Angels

One-on-one cancer support, matched to your situation.

Gilda's Club Detroit

Support groups across metropolitan Detroit.

Henry Ford Hospice

Bereavement support groups.

Looking for questions by specialist?

Sky Doctor Questions sorts them by the doctor you’re seeing, and prints to a checklist you can take with you.

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Support Circle

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