It Contains Everything I Need

As soon as I was diagnosed with my brain tumor, I knew that I was not ready for this diagnosis. I know, no one is ever ready to be told they have a brain tumor... that's not what I mean. I mean that I realized that I was very unorganized when it came to my health and there was a lot of things missing in my paperwork that needed to be completed... just in case. In case you don't know me, I hate to be unprepared for anything.

So the very first thing I did on Monday, after being diagnosed, was go to Walgreens and get a trapper keeper. The biggest one I could find. It's a nice one with a simple velcro closure and plenty of space for things like pens, highlighters, etc.

Now this didn't all appear at once. I have modified the layout of this journal many times but for the most part, here is the current product. There are two different types of tabs. Primary tabs are actual tabs that are meant for a three ring binder. Then I have Secondary tabs, which are movable and are simply a piece of white paper, hole punched, with a tab sticker. It works and it keeps things organized.

So what are my areas? I will give a brief run-down and description and some other time I'll give more details.

Primary 1 - Quick Find Information [Secondary = "To Give To Doctor" (copies of records, updated contact info, etc); Scripts (for bloodwork and tests); Medical Journal; Blog printouts]

Primary 2 - Legal Stuff [Secondary = Documents (Living Will, Power of Attorney, etc.); Document Info (Instructions on legal documents]

Primary 3 - Insurance Records [Secondary = Medical visit record (includes checklist for obtaining records, copays paid, insurance approvals, etc.); "Visits in limbo" (things I'm fighting a doctor or insurance on); Pre-certs

Primary 4 - Medical Records [Secondary = Primary; Specialist; Labs; Radiology]

Primary 5 - Mental Health

Primary 6 - Basic Information [Secondary = My medical history; Doctor Information; Family Medical History]

Primary 7 - Brain Tumor Section [Secondary = Questions; Research]

Primary 8 - MISC Records

Primary 9 - Correspondence (Record of all correspondence between me and doctors)

Primary 10 - Herbal/Alternative

That's it for the most part. All of the records that are created by me, live on a jump drive and are updated and printed each time they are updated. This keeps it easy to fill in the endless questionnaires at doctor's offices, ensures all my information is correct, and keeps me sorted out on dates things occurred. (Although some dates will never be forgotten.) This also allows me to have my "to give to doctor" section and print off things that are of concern to them instead of having to relay it all. I know multiple doctors have loved my questions because they are all printed and we can both be reading them together.

I don't know if this will help anyone but I hope it gives some ideas on creating your own medical journal.

Start Planning: Getting Medical Records

I have a list of 60 or more things I need to get done in the category I call "Final Planning". Most of them are things that people should do anyway to help ease the burden on loved ones when their time comes. Yes, I realize most 28 year olds don't think about this type of thing but I'll be honest and tell you that it has been on my to-do list for about 10 years now. I've always been one to be prepared for anything.

Anyway, although not completely related to the "Final Planning" part, one of the tasks was to get copies of my medical records. I believe this is important for anyone but so much more important for those with a serious medical diagnosis. I know they will allow me to seek a second opinion without the hassle of having to have my records sent, to verify information is correct and therefore nothing missed, and to be able to make a list of accurate information in case of an emergency.

I started this process as quickly as I could after being diagnosed. I did some research first and figured out that I just had to call to obtain copies. Well, it wasn't quite that simple. I was able to get a hold of the records department and they faxed me some paperwork to fill out asking information about the doctor I wished records from, what types of records, etc. I faxed the information back that day. After not hearing from them for over a week, I contacted them again and found out that it could take up to 30 days to get my records. I'm glad I started this process early!

So now my records are in the process of getting to me. I also began a "Medical Journal" for me to keep track of all of my information. I won't get into that now but be on the lookout for an entry concerning it at a later time. It's been a very handy investment for me.