Tuesday, February 10, 2009

My Medical Resume

I have an appointment with a new doctor on Friday morning. I’ve had four doctors since my dx, and I’ve had to give a detailed history to each one.

I’ve finally gotten smart.

Knowing I’m going to have to give my story all over again, I decided to write everything down. When the doctor asks, I’m just going to give him the sheet of paper. I’ve written down my childhood conditions that might be pertinent today, my teen/early 20 issues and everything about my current conditions, the two biggies being diabetes and Grave’s disease.

I wrote down who my other doctors currently are (gyno, dentist, eye doctor, therapist), what prescriptions I’m on (seven) and what dosages.

I wrote down what my HbA1Cs have been over the past years and what my numbers have been in general.

I’ve written down any procedures I’ve had and any hospitalizations.

I might even call my mom and get some background history on what the grandparents all had (they’ve all passed from various issues which I generally know about, but not the specifics), and on what mom and pop are currently dealing with (I inherited the Grave’s from dad, but what else is looming on the horizon?). I should have all this info anyway, and it’s about time I act like I’m a responsible 40-year-old and write it all down.

I do have some of my medical records, and I’m in the process of tracking down the rest of them, but I’m thinking that even if I hand the new doctor a four-inch thick stack of papers at our first meeting, he’s not going to sit down and read everything while I wait (it will take him way longer than that to decipher the various handwritings). He might, however, read a couple pieces of paper and be fairly caught up to speed.

So now, in addition to having a professional resume, I now have a medical resume. How important am I?

As always, more to come…

3 comments:

Scott K. Johnson said...

A medical resume is actually a pretty damn good idea!

Christine said...

Yes, it's definitely a good idea. Keep it in your purse, in case, God forbid, you ever get in an accident and can't speak for yourself.

A health care proxy is also a good idea for the later situation- someone who you legally designate to make medical decisions for you if you can't for yourself. Someone who knows your wishes. Keep that with your medical resume.

Anonymous said...

I've had a typed medical information document for several years. Since having surgeries on both hands, I just can't write that much. When I go to a new doc, I take it with me. No more forms. If they say their form needs to be filled out, I tell them here's the info, you fill it out if you want it handwritten, or I'll leave now and find another doc.

Also with my medical ID bracelet, there's a charm attached with info for a medical website and code number and I've uploaded the document there.