10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor When Facing a Health Crisis

When you are sitting in a doctor's office after a serious diagnosis, it is almost impossible to think clearly. Your mind is racing. You may not remember half of what was said. And by the time you get to your car, you realize you forgot to ask the most important things.

After 23 years as a nurse, 20 years in oncology, and 15 years as a patient advocate, Jackie has sat in those rooms hundreds of times — with patients who were scared, overwhelmed, and unsure what to do next. These 10 questions are the ones she wishes every patient had in their hand before they walked through the door.

They work for any serious diagnosis — cancer, heart disease, autoimmune conditions, or any health crisis where you need to make important decisions about your care.