How to Remember Your Annual Doctor Appointments
Note from Co-founder Denise Albert
It’s been 9 years since my diagnosis and the beginning of my treatment. It’s also been 10 months since the loss of my boy’s father. It’s also been 3 years since I last saw one of my doctors I am supposed to see annually. It’s not my main doctor associated with my cancer, but it’s for a thyroid nodule that I am supposed to stay on top of. I’m not proud of this. It’s so unlike me, but not completely surprising given all we have been through that something slipped through the cracks.
Instead of continuing to push things off, instead of feeling badly about the mistake, I am making it my mission to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Right now, I am lucky. I went for the appointment and everything was status quo. I even got the go ahead to go every other year from now on.
Don't know what screenings you need?
Take this 2 minute quiz to find out!
This year – I’m celebrating my health with a reminder for all of you to to stay on top of every one of your doctor appointments, big and small ones. Important ones and less important ones. I know we also have the help of portals and computers, but I have doctors at three different hospitals, so that’s three different portals, and then also individual providers. So no wonder, I missed one. Here is my solution!
Two Ways to Keep Track
In order that this doesn’t happen again, I created a new system for myself to easily stay on track. It can be overwhelming when you miss an appointment. It starts to weigh on your mind and stresses you out, right? You know what I mean! Then you continue to ignore it…..
Below is a spreadsheet listing all of my doctors with notes on when the past appointment was, when the next one is. A note section and questions to ask, so I don’t forget. Plus, a tab on the bottom for similar pages for each of my kids and my mom! Wish me luck and hope this helps you too!
I know some people prefer to have a physical book and to write down and to see every day, instead of a spreadsheet on your computer, so I found a few that look great.
DIY Suggestion
Best Products to Buy to Keep Track of Appointments
If you need something to write down, to see every day, instead of a spreadsheet on your computer, try one of these.
Medical Planner – Keep a medical diary in a pretty way with stickers in this organizational system with a Vegan Leather cover.
Personal Medical Notebook – Keep everything organized with this notebook and keep notes on your symptoms, medications and expenses, plus so much more.
Appointment Planner – This compact planner is perfectly portable to track your health, your appointments, your questions for your doctor and more!
Log Book – Keep track of your contacts, appointments, tests and everything related to your health with this Record Book Tracker.
Free Cancer Screenings
Screening can be expensive, especially if you don’t have insurance. Check out PreventCancer.org. They have a lot of options for free or low costs options.