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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffStart by making an appointment with your child's doctor or pediatrician if your child has any signs or symptoms that worry you. If your child is thought to have an eye problem, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating eye diseases (ophthalmologist).
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your child's appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your child's appointment, and what to expect from your child's doctor.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your child's diet.
- Write down any symptoms your child is experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent changes in your child's life.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, your child is taking.
- Take a family member or friend along. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your child's doctor.
Your time with your child's doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions ahead of time can help you make the most of the time. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For retinoblastoma, some basic questions to ask your child's doctor include:
- What kinds of tests does my child need?
- What is the best course of action?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
- Should my child see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your child's doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment anytime you don't understand something.
What to expect from your child's doctor
Your child's doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may allow more time to cover other points. Your child's doctor may ask:
- When did your child begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your child's symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- How severe are your child's symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your child's symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your child's symptoms?
What you can do in the meantime
Try to keep your child comfortable by avoiding things that seem to worsen signs and symptoms. Not feeling well and an approaching trip to the doctor may make your child feel anxious. To reduce your child's anxiety:
- Stick to your normal daily routine as much as possible.
- Use simple words to explain what will happen at the doctor's office.
- Give your child choices when possible. For instance, let your son or daughter pick out what clothes to wear the day of the appointment.
- Retinoblastoma treatment (PDQ). National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/retinoblastoma/patient/allpages. Accessed July 26, 2010.
- Augsburger JJ, et al. Retinoblastoma. In: Yanoff M, et al. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/199400089-5/0/1869/0.html. Accessed July 26, 2010.
- Surgical procedures. American Society of Ocularists. http://www.ocularist.org/resources_surgical_procedures.asp. Accessed July 26, 2010.
- Family handbook for children with cancer. Children's Oncology Group. http://www.curesearch.org/pdf/Family_Handbook_for_Curesearch.pdf. Accessed July 26, 2010.
- Genetic counseling and testing. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/Retinoblastoma/DetailedGuide/retinoblastoma-after-genetic-counseling. Accessed July 26, 2010.
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