Name: Be Like Water
Address: 87 Roosevelt Road, Toronto, Ontario, m4j4t8, Canada
Telephone: 6473001936
Price range: $

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Questions to Ask Your Care Team

Following a diagnosis

What type of lung cancer do I have?
Where is the cancer located in my body? Has it spread beyond where it’s started?
How was my diagnosis confirmed?
What’s the stage of my cancer? How does that affect the treatment?
Do I need any more tests before we decide about my treatment?
Are the tests I need to do covered by my health insurance? How long do they take? Can I do them in a private clinic?
If I’m concerned about the costs related to my diagnosis and treatment, who can I ask for help?
Based on this diagnosis, am I a candidate for surgery?
Has a sample of my tumour been sent for molecular testing? Am I a candidate for targeted therapy?
Has a sample of my tumour been sent for PD-L1 testing? Am I a candidate for immunotherapy?
Do I need to see any other doctor or health professionals?
Is this type of cancer hereditary? Is my family at risk?

About surgery

Am I a good candidate for surgery?
What type of surgery do you recommend for me?
How is the surgery performed? Will it be open surgery, VATS, or robotic-assisted?
What are the potential benefits of having the surgery?
What are the risks and possible complications of the surgery?
How long will the surgery take?
What are the long-term implications of the surgery?
How does surgery compare to other treatments like radiation or systemic therapy in my case?
How long will I need to stay in the hospital after the surgery?
What kind of pain should I expect, and how will it be managed?
Will I need physical therapy or pulmonary rehabilitation?
How long will it take for me to resume normal activities?
What kind of follow-up care will I need?
Will I have any permanent restrictions or changes in my lifestyle after the surgery?
How will the surgery affect my ability to breathe or do physical activities?
Will I need to make dietary or lifestyle changes after surgery?
Will I need additional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation after the surgery? If so, how soon after surgery will these treatments begin?
How will these treatments affect my overall prognosis?
Do I need any tests before the surgery?
Should I bring anything with me to the hospital?
How do I prepare for the day of surgery?
Will I need assistance at home after being discharged?
How often will I need check-ups after the surgery? What kinds of tests will I have at these check-ups?
How will we monitor for the return or spread of the cancer?
Are there support groups or counsellors you recommend for patients undergoing lung cancer surgery?
Can you provide resources on understanding and managing life after the surgery?

About radiation therapy

What is the main goal of radiation therapy for my specific case?
Are there other treatment options available to me? How does radiation compare to these?
Which type of radiation therapy do you recommend for me: external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or brachytherapy?
If EBRT is recommended, which specific type do you suggest and why?
What is the expected total dose of radiation I will receive?
How many sessions will I need, and how long will each last?
Will I need to take special precautions, like avoiding exposure to others?
How do I prepare for the simulation session?
Will I require an immobilization mask or device during my treatment?
How should I care for my skin in the treated area?
What are the common short-term and long-term side effects of radiation therapy?
How can these side effects be managed or minimized?
Is there anything I can do to reduce the risk of radiation-related side effects?
What kind of follow-up will I need after completing radiation therapy?
How will you monitor the effectiveness of the radiation therapy?
How soon can I expect to see improvements or results?
Will I be able to continue working or performing my regular activities during radiation treatment?
Are there any restrictions or activities I should avoid during treatment?
Are there resources or support groups you recommend for patients undergoing radiation therapy?
How can I manage anxiety or stress related to the treatment?
Where can I learn more about radiation therapy for lung cancer?

About chemotherapy

In my case, what is the main goal of chemotherapy: to cure the cancer, to help other treatments work better, or to relieve symptoms?
What are the chances that chemotherapy will be effective for my type of lung cancer?
Which chemotherapy drugs will I be receiving?
How often will I receive chemotherapy, and for how long?
How will the chemotherapy be administered (injected into a vein or a capsule)?
What should I expect on the day of treatment? How long will each session last?
How will we know if the chemotherapy is working?
Will I need other treatments, like radiation or surgery, in addition to chemotherapy?
What are the common side effects of the chemotherapy drugs I’ll be receiving?
Are there any long-term side effects I should be aware of?
What can I do to manage or reduce these side effects?
Should I report side effects, even if they are mild? And if so, how do I do that?
How often will I need blood tests or imaging studies during my chemotherapy?
Can I continue working or attending school during chemotherapy?
Are there any activities I should avoid while undergoing treatment?
Are there dietary recommendations or restrictions I should follow during chemotherapy?
Are there any resources or support groups you recommend for patients undergoing chemotherapy?
Can I speak with a nutritionist, therapist, or counsellor as part of my treatment plan?
Will my insurance cover the cost of chemotherapy?
Are there patient assistance programs or financial counsellors I can speak to about managing the costs?
What follow-up care will I need after completing chemotherapy?
How often will I need check-ups after my treatment is complete?
Are there any signs or symptoms I should watch out for after chemotherapy?

About immunotherapy

What is the goal of immunotherapy?
Am I a candidate for immunotherapy? What are my treatment options?
Do I need to do biomarker testing to receive immunotherapy drugs?
How long will this treatment last, and how often will I receive it?
What drugs will I receive, and how do they work?
What side effects might occur, and what can I do to prevent or cope with them?
Are there any side effects for which I should go to the emergency room?
Should I bring anything (like an information card) to inform the emergency room doctors about my immunotherapy?
Are any of the side effects permanent?
Who can I contact if I develop any side effects?
Are there medications to help with side effects?
When will I be able to return to my normal activities after immunotherapy?
Is there anything I can do, such as changing my diet, exercising, or managing stress, to help cope during therapy or to help my recovery?
Am I eligible to participate in any clinical trials of immunotherapy drugs?

About targeted therapy

What mutations were found in my biopsy sample? What are my treatment options?
Should my cancer be tested for other mutations?
What is the goal of targeted therapy?
How long will this treatment last, and how often will I receive it?
What drugs will I receive, and how do they work?
What side effects might occur, and what can I do to cope?
Are any of the side effects permanent?
Who can I contact if I develop any side effects?
Are there drugs to help with side effects?
Am I eligible to participate in any clinical trials?

About follow-up visits

How often should I return for follow-up visits? Is there a regular schedule?
Who will be in charge of my long-term care?
Who will arrange these visits?
What do you look for during follow-up visits? Will I have to do any tests?
What long-term side effects might occur, and what can I do to prevent or cope with them?
What symptoms should I look out for? Who should I contact if I develop any of them?
Is there anything I can do, such as changing my diet, exercising, or managing stress, to help my recovery and keep my cancer from coming back?
Will I receive any support and care at home?