A Medical Binder

Your own copy of your medical history is helpful to keep track of your progress, to show to new doctors, and to provide an easy-to-remember place to store your notes.

Many people keep their medical records in a binder or folder. Or you can keep them online by scanning documents into a file. Any loose leaf binder with pockets for documents will do. If you have cancer, consider the following items which were created for this purpose:

  • A plastic folder from the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org, tel. 800.227.2345 (referred to as Your Personal Health Manager)
  • A notebook from the Lance Armstrong Foundation: www.livestrong.org Search on "Notebook". tel. 877.236.8820,

If you create your own record, information should include:

  • The date you were diagnosed.
  • The precise diagnosis.
  • Copies of lab tests and test results, including pathology report(s) that describe the type and stage of your condition(s).
  • Medical providers
    • Name
    • Address
    • Specialty
    • Telephone number (and mobile number if you get it)
    • Fax number
    • E mail address
  • Health Insurance information, including
    • Name of insurer
    • Policy number
    • Insured if someone other than you
    • Contact telephone number for the insurer
  • Drugs you take, including:
    • Dosage
    • How many times a day
    • When you started taking the drug
    • When you stopped taking the drug
    • Drugs to which you are allergic
  • Places and dates of specific treatment, such as:
    • Details of all surgeries.
    • If you have radiation, sites and total amounts of radiation therapy.
    • If you have chemotherapy, names and doses of chemotherapy and all other drugs.
    • Key lab reports
    • Copies of x-rays, CT scans, MRIs - preferable on disks. Also keep copies of all x-ray, CT scan and MRI reports.
  • List of signs to watch for and possible long-term effects of treatment.
  • Contact information for all health professionals involved in your treatment and follow-up care.
  • Any problems that occurred during or after treatment.
  • Information about supportive care you received (such as special medicines, emotional support, and nutritional supplements)
  • Contact information for people you want to keep up-to-date.
  • A place to note questions and concerns as they arise. As an alternative, Survivorship A to Z provides a "Prioritizer". You can keep track of questions and concerns. Before you do to a doctor's appointment, you can prioritize your entries with the click of a button.
  • A copy of your Health Care Power Of Attorney, Living Will and other advance directives.
  • For note taking, extra paper and a pen or pencil.
  • Photos of loved ones and/or favorite peaceful places for inspiration.

NOTE:

  • You can personalize the binder and make it "fun". For instance, add photos, articles, quite that inspire you, or a place for a journal.
  • While it may seem like a lot of work, empowered patients also keep track of symptoms to help maximize time with doctor(s) and other health care providers. We provide a free interactive chart for this purpose. Click here.