I have a large notebook I keep in a canvas shopping bag. The note book has dividers in it and an index. Under A for instance is Appointments along side each appointment is what appointment is for and with who plus vitals for that day. This book has all my lab work, surgeries, phone numbers, living will, X-rays, photos of before and after, thyroid information , consent forms I signed, letters to my family (in case), medication I take w/ info , a calendar, copies of my proof of insurance, and much more.
Nurses are very impressed. Why because sometimes you go to a new doctor and all they know is what you tell them about you. They do not have your records to go by......till now. I also keep a small note book and pen to take notes. I put my questions and concerns in front of the note book for my doctor visits. I am prepared. I learned the hard way. This note book has saved me many times.
So many of us even forget to take a note of questions or concern's we have when we go for a doctor visit. I know I have gone to the doctor and come out mad at myself because I for got to ask about something or forgot to tell my doctor about something I was worried about. Mind you I know some of us have doctors that seem like they just do not care or just do not know enough about our disease to take care of us properly. But believe me when you walk in and pull out this note book...you will impress not just the nurse but the doctor. And they Will take notice that you do know exactly what your talking about.
I know some of you think you are not strong enough to stand up to your doctor. I am here to tell you that you are strong enough. Just walk in and pull out the note book. When they ask what is that...just tell them all the answers to what ever they want to ask about your health and why you are there. Some doctors may not like it ...but to bad. Many of you know I talk asbout going to the doctor like going to a good or bad mechanic. My husband keeps a book in his car about when he had an oil change or did something else on the car. He also will drop a bad mechanic real fast. You would not pay a mechanic to change your oil and then find out he didn't. So why would you pay a doctor to take care of you and he/she tells you "Oh your find...it is just in your head". Or your just depressed. Hell yes I am depressed. Depressed because the doctor is not doing his/her job.
Now there are some very good doctors out there. Yes very hard to find...but I have seen a doctor that may not seem very good turn into a good one when confronted with.....Aha the Magic Medical Note book. Try it. You may think you do not have enough to put in the Note book. Think again. You will be surprised to see how much you already have to put into a Note book.