Top 3 Reasons to Organize your Medical Information Today

We’ve all been there. We have so much on our plates that we either forget to organize important information or we forget about it altogether. Add in a cancer diagnosis and things can get pretty chaotic. 

This article will cover the top 3 reasons why it’s so important to organize your medical information. Don’t organize it a few days from now or a few weeks from now; do it right now while the idea of it is in your mind. 

In addition to organizing your medical information, it’s also important to organize your own thoughts. Keep detailed notes if you need to or choose a word or an acronym that coincides with what you have to remember.

Without further ado, let’s get into the top 3 reasons to organize your medical information:

1. Never lose appointment dates and times

After, or even before, a cancer diagnosis, the dates and times of appointments are extremely important. It’s a busy world out there with a lot of people who require the same kind of help as you, so missing an appointment means both a longer wait time to get another one and painting you as a person who isn’t trustworthy.

I bet you’re asking how you organize this kind of information, aren’t you? Here’s a quick list of 5 ways to organize your appointment dates and times:

1. Carry a notepad or notebook with you.
2. Use a planner if you want to add in that extra bit of structure.
3. If you have a cell phone, most of them have a notepad option built-in and you can use your calendar function to set reminders.
4. Sticky notes in places you frequent, such as your computer or bedroom.
5. A dry-erase board on your fridge.

2.  Reduced chance of losing prescriptions 

Better organization means that all of the information that you need is exactly where you remember putting it. Prescription drugs were given to you for a reason and in some cases not taking them could severely reduce your health and increase your stress.

Even if you only take one pill a day, being organized helps you to take that one pill at the same time each day. This gives you time to focus on your quality of life rather than worry about whether or not you’ve picked up or dropped off your prescription.

Lost prescription notes are all too common because of disorganization and often mean making a doctor’s appointment you don’t actually need. Make life easier and stay organized by putting all of your prescription slips in the same place - a drawer or a nightstand for example.

3. Reduced stress and more time for you

Imagine you finish lunch and suddenly have a terrible thought: did I take my meds this morning? 

Because you don’t have a planner or note-pad or detailed notes in your phone, there is no way for you to know whether you took your prescription or not. Some pills can be dangerous if they’re taken more than once a day and even more dangerous if they are skipped.

By being organized with your pill schedule, your prescriptions, and your general medical information, you are taking a layer of stress off your mind. This allows you to focus on other things that aren’t nearly as stressful.

You’ve Got This!

In conclusion, being organized not only helps you remember where things are and what you have done throughout the day but also allows you to concentrate on you. Your diagnosis doesn’t have to control you or your life.

You don’t need an electronic device to keep track of things, either. A note pad, wall calendar, or planner works just as well. If you are unable to leave the house or move around well, you can get a friend or family member to help you.

However you decide to organize your space, remember that making organization a priority means you still have control of both you and your space. And when you have been diagnosed with cancer, that kind of freedom can make all the difference.

Photo courtesy of Storyblocks.