Sky Doctor Questions

Walk in knowing what to ask.

Sorted by the specialist you're seeing, and by what to ask yourself afterwards.

112 questions across 10 specialists
SkyFoundation
Every specialist
Medical Oncologist41 QUESTIONS
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Who are you seeing?

112 questions across 10 specialists
Medical Oncologist
Chemotherapy, systemic treatment, overall plan
What stage is my pancreatic cancer?
Ask first
What are my treatment options?
Ask first
Is my cancer resectable?
Ask first
Is my treatment working based on recent scans?
Ask first
What do my latest lab results mean?
Ask first
How do I manage these side effects?
Ask first
How often will I need follow-up scans?
Ask first
What signs of recurrence should I watch for?
Ask first
What are my options now that first-line treatment didn’t work?
Ask first
What clinical trials should I consider?
Ask first
What symptoms should I report immediately?
Important
Should we change my treatment plan?
Important
Is my CA 19-9 trending in the right direction?
Important
What chemotherapy regimen do you recommend?
Important
I’m having trouble sleeping — what can help?
Important
How do I manage anxiety about my next scan?
Important
What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
Important
How long will I need to be monitored?
Important
When can I consider myself in remission?
Important
Should I continue checking CA 19-9 levels?
Important
What late effects of treatment should I watch for?
Important
How do we know if treatment is working?
Important
Should I get genetic testing?
Important
Are there other chemotherapy regimens to try?
Important
Should I get additional biomarker testing?
Important
Is immunotherapy an option for me?
Important
Should I seek a second opinion at a major cancer center?
Important
What is the goal of further treatment at this point?
Important
Am I eligible for any clinical trials?
Important
How do I weigh quality of life vs. more treatment?
Important
What is the prognosis for my specific situation?
Important
Should I get a second opinion?
What should I know about CA 19-9 levels?
Am I still eligible for any clinical trials?
What happens after I finish this treatment cycle?
When is my next scan?
What are my options if treatment stops working?
Are there lifestyle changes that can reduce recurrence risk?
Should I continue seeing other specialists?
When can I return to normal activities and work?
Is there maintenance therapy I should consider?
Surgical Oncologist
Whipple and other operations
Am I a candidate for the Whipple procedure?
Ask first
What are the risks and recovery time?
Important
Will I need chemo before or after surgery?
Important
What happens if surgery finds the cancer has spread?
Important
How will surgery affect my digestion?
Important
Will I need pancreatic enzymes (like Creon)?
Important
How is my surgical recovery progressing?
Important
When will my digestion return to normal?
Important
How many of these surgeries have you performed?
What is the hospital stay like?
Is it normal to still have these symptoms months later?
Do I need to continue pancreatic enzymes forever?
Gastroenterologist
Stents, jaundice, digestion
Why was a stent placed in my bile duct?
Important
How do I manage jaundice symptoms?
Important
What digestive changes should I expect?
Important
Should I start pancreatic enzymes now?
Important
How do I manage dumping syndrome?
Important
Will my digestive issues improve over time?
Important
Will I need the stent replaced?
Should I still be taking Creon?
Endocrinologist
Blood sugar and insulin after surgery
Do I have diabetes from my pancreatic surgery?
Important
How do I manage my blood sugar now?
Important
Will I need insulin long-term?
Palliative Care
Symptom relief alongside treatment
How can you help manage my pain?
Ask first
How can we maximize my quality of life going forward?
Ask first
What is palliative care and how is it different from hospice?
Important
Can you help with nausea and appetite loss?
Important
How do I decide when to stop active treatment?
Important
What should I know about advance directives?
Important
What support is available for my family?
What does hospice care look like?
Nutritionist / Dietitian
Weight, appetite, enzymes
What diet should I follow during treatment?
Ask first
How do I manage weight loss?
Ask first
I’m losing weight despite eating — what should I do?
Ask first
What should I eat if I have no appetite?
Important
How do pancreatic enzymes affect my diet?
Important
How do I eat when I have no appetite?
Important
Are protein shakes enough if I can’t eat solid food?
Important
Should I take any supplements?
Should I consider a feeding tube?
Primary Care Physician
Ongoing care and coordination
What ongoing care do I need as a cancer survivor?
Important
What vaccinations should I get now that treatment is over?
How do I manage lingering side effects?
Clinical Trial Coordinator
Trial options and eligibility
What trials are available for recurrent pancreatic cancer?
Ask first
Are there any new immunotherapy trials?
Important
What about targeted therapy trials based on my mutations?
Important
Are there trials at other institutions I should know about?
Any doctor on your team
Sky's own guide — ask these of whoever you see
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 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?
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?
Questions to ask yourself
After the appointment, about the team itself
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?
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