Hi Debra

Like you I am confused by a clear CT scan when you have been diagnosed with a stage IV tumour. Can I suggest that you may have missed a couple of words and the doctor was telling you that the clear CT scan was for other areas of your body like your chest (ie no metastases) which would be good news?

You need clarification on this and maybe if you haven't already, take someone with you to listen as well. I agree with Eric that you need to have better communication with your doctors. I know this is not easy, when they use words that you have never heard of let alone understand - especially when you are also hanging on to their coat tails trying to stop them bolting out the door before you are finished. If the doctor says something you don't understand - butt in and stop them, and then ask for them to explain what they mean. I had a notebook and if I heard something I didn't understand, I handed the book to them and asked them to write it down. It forced them to slow down and use smaller words.

I would probably ring tomorrow and tell them you have questions and need clarification. They should arrange for you to speak to someone as it is against the law for them to do the surgery without informed consent. And if you don't know why they are doing the surgery, they most definitely don't have informed consent.

Good luck on Wednesday, we will be waiting for you to report in when you are able.