Jackie, just a note with regard to your comment about doing a lot of reading here. Sometimes it seems like the very sickest people or their caregivers post here. Please, please know that there are some like me who went through the surgery, radiation, and chemo and did not have a really tough time. I was very tired, and I was most grateful that I did not have to drive myself to appointments. But I bounced back remarkably fast to a truly normal life and am now more than five years past all of that.

The suggestions given above are excellent. I kept a calendar book with large squares to note all the apointments. The tip about collecting business cards is very good also. I guarantee you they will come in handy.

Finally, know that once the flurry of initial appointments settles into the routine of treatment, things will seem much calmer.

I wish you and your mom the very best of luck. Remember, for any question you have, there will most likely be one or more people here who can answer you from experience, which I found to be the most helpful when I was on the asking end.