| The breast cancer journey is filled with decisions, | | | | or afraid. |
| doctor visits, tests, treatments, medications, side | | | | 3. Use a directory to maintain personal and medical |
| effects, and stress. Below are some tips to help a | | | | team information so it will be handy when needed. A |
| woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer take | | | | directory is a good place to organize information such |
| control of this overwhelming experience. | | | | as physician names, office addresses, phone |
| Four Tips for Organizing Your Journey | | | | numbers, and email addresses for people you need |
| 1. Request copies of all your cancer treatment | | | | to call in an emergency. You can also use the |
| records and set up a personal medical file. Your file | | | | directory to record insurance policy information, |
| may include lab tests, pathology reports, x-ray | | | | contact names, and numbers. |
| results, prescription regimen, and follow-up care | | | | 4. Keep track of all of your doctor's appointments, |
| instructions. Over time, it's easy to forget when you | | | | treatment dates, medicine doses, work schedule, and |
| were treated, who treated you, and what kind of | | | | social activities in one calendar. In addition to |
| drugs you were given. | | | | recording your upcoming appointments, you may |
| 2. Buy a journal to organize your thoughts, take | | | | want to describe how you feel from one day to the |
| notes, and document your experience. Some days | | | | next. This information will help you and your doctor |
| you may feel like writing in your journal and other | | | | find ways to make you more comfortable. |
| days you won't. Don't worry about the entries being | | | | Staying organized during your cancer experience will |
| sparse; even a few notes can help you remember | | | | help you stay calm and in control and will give you |
| important emotions or milestones. Keeping a journal | | | | the order needed to focus your energy on becoming |
| can be a great defense against feeling overwhelmed | | | | well. |