Christine and Maria,
I have my notebook from day 1. Christine, I do exactly the same thing with my team's business cards!

Annie,
First of all, congrats on your wonderful results!

A doctor will not walk out of a room when you pull out your notebook with your list of questions. He/she most likely will not leave until all of them are answered. Try to prioritize them in order of importance. Have your notebook on your lap before he/she walks in the door so you're not scrambling to pull it out and flip through pages as he tries to scurry out the door.

The routine I have with my doctor is that he examines me and talks about how things look and when he's finished, we go over my questions. After a while, you'll find that many of your questions/concerns will be answered during the exam. It also helps you and the doctor to stay on track and will make the appointment more efficient.

Best of luck,
Kerri

37 y/o fem at Dx (23 wks preg @ dx on 3/16/11)
SCC L oral tongue (no risk factors)
L partial gloss/MND 3/28/11 @ 25 wks preg
T1-2N0M0; no rads/chemo
Tonsillectomy on 8/6/12 +SCC L tonsil T2-3N1M0 (HPV-)
Treated with 35 rads/7 carbo & taxol (Rx ended 10/31/12), but many hospitalizations d/t complications from rx.
Various scans since rx ended are NED!
Part of genetic study for rare cancers @ MGH.
44 years old now...I wasn't sure I would make it! Hoping for 40 more!