New Diagnosis: Organize Information & Papers

An important first step to navigating the journey ahead is organizing your information. Take the time to write down your complete medical history. Having your medical history with you will make completing the forms, much easier.

Creating a document on a computer, if possible, allows you to easily update your history as you need to add new medical information. 

Your medical history includes past and present experiences. Note surgeries and injuries, as well as medications and supplements you take.

Put your name and birth-date at the top of each page. Keep the history updated. Print off a current version and keep it with you, or at least take it to your appointments. Put the date you revise the medical history on the sheet, so you know which version is most current. 

My oncologist’s office once gave me a form which asked if I had any stress in my life. I responded, “Yes, having to fill out all these forms.” They laughed, but I was serious. Having my medical history with me made this task easier and relieved some stress for me.

Along with the medical history, I encourage you to create a notebook to organize all the information you receive. I did this for myself and recently made a notebook for my parents who are facing my dad’s new diagnosis of cancer.

In a three-ring notebook, consider including:

• A map of the health-care complex
• Plastic binder pages to hold the many business cards from various healthcare professionals
• Divider pages for:
  • Medical history
  • Pain Relief Log to keep track of symptoms and medications administered. This document can be edited to manage whatever is important in your care.
  • Test results
  • Clinic visits
  • Communication to and from friends and family
  • Related articles
  • Statements to be filed with insurance. There may be some healthcare providers who will not be filing your claims for you. That doesn’t mean insurance won’t cover them or at least help you a bit. Collect a few of those invoices and file them all at once, every month or two.
  • You might also include a calendar. Create what you need to keep the information together.

You probably don’t need to carry the notebook to every appointment, but I would encourage having the printed medical history with you most of the time in case you need to complete another form.

I blend compassion and humor into my mentoring sessions. I’ve found those are essential elements of every healing process.

I’m here to help you identify and manage the stress of your diagnosis and your overall life, and in the process to transform your life through increasing your sense of well-being, energy, and clarity.

I am alive today so I can help you with your health and healthcare challenges so you, too, can thrive with grace and ease amidst inevitable change.  

Or you may reach me via my contact page.