When you or your loved one has mesothelioma, keeping up with all the tasks can be difficult. The family must quickly learn how to support the mesothelioma victim while maintaining their own lives. By organizing information regarding the mesothelioma treatment plan and associated expenses, you will find the process easier to manage.
Personal Medical File
Mesothelioma treatment requires a medical team, and sometimes various professionals to support the emotional well-being of the mesothelioma patient. A personal medical file will help you organize the information so that it is readily available regardless of which mesothelioma doctor you might see, or which treatment facility you are in. If a new health care provider needs to be added, all the history and pertinent information is in one place.
When putting together a personal medical file, you may want to consider adding the following:
- Past medical history, including dates and details of previously diagnosed illnesses
- Documentation on previous physical examinations and screening tests
- Immunization records
- Contact information for all medical personnel and facilities involved in either your treatment or basic medical care
- Information on the initial mesothelioma diagnosis and a treatment schedule
- Copies of all medical reports and test results
- Surgical reports
- Treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy, including names and dosages of drugs
- Treatment notes, particularly any complications or side effects
- Pain management of mesothelioma symptoms intended to provide physical comfort..
- Other therapies such as nutritional support
Prescription Medications
An important part of your personal medical file is tracking all the medications issued. There will most likely be several medications prescribed by various doctors. You may want to use a separate notebook to track your prescriptions so they will be in a central location.
The following tips may help you to better organize your prescription medications:
- Keep a complete list of all prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs you are taking. Include the brand and generic names, the dosage, and instructions for taking the drugs. Note special instructions for each medication, such as “take with food.” It is a good idea to also list any vitamins or herbal supplements you are taking.
- Add new medications to the list immediately. In addition to the drug name and instructions, make sure to ask your doctor if there are any potential interactions with your existing medications. You will also want to find out about side effects and special instructions, including what you should do if you miss a dose.
- For help organizing a dosage schedule, or to have questions answered, you can talk to a nurse or pharmacist in addition to your doctor.
- Make sure you have a thorough understanding of each prescription medication you are taking. Read the package inserts and labels before taking any medication.
- Stick to your dosage schedule in order to receive the maximum benefit from your prescriptions.
Tracking Expenses
Mesothelioma patients will have medical expenses from multiple sources. Tracking all the expenses will be important so that you can ensure reimbursement for as many expenses as possible.
When tracking expenses, make sure to keep the following information:
- Invoices from health care providers
- Receipts for prescription drugs
- Co-pay receipts
- Insurance claims files
- Reimbursements received
By getting on top of the various tasks and associated paperwork that will come your way, you have a better chance of controlling the process, giving you more time to devote to giving care to the mesothelioma patient.