No, I’m not talking about Nicholas Sparks’ debut novel or the award winning movie adaptation. I’m talking about an actual notebook.

Some of the very best advice that I received in the early days following my first cancer diagnosis almost eleven years ago was given to me by a medical technician administering an unrelated bone density test. “Get yourself a notebook,” she told me. “One of those ones with several sections where you can keep track of different things. Take it to your appointments with you and write things down.” It sounded like good advice, so as soon as I left the clinic I headed over to Walmart and found exactly what I needed, a Five Star 5-subject notebook.

There’s a section where I record tests, procedures, and treatments; another one for consultations; and one where I keep a record of the injections that I receive every 28 days… when, where, who administered it, and any reaction that I might have. There’s also a section where I record some of my test results. I have access to those online at MyAHS Connect, but there are a couple of tests that are done regularly that I like to keep a written record of so that I can easily note trends. Finally, there’s a section where I write down questions to ask at my next appointment. More than one of my doctors has commented that they wish more of their patients would do that.

Not only is my notebook separated into sections, but each divider has a pocket front and back. Those have been great for storing business cards, handouts, consent forms, vaccination records, a family medical history, and my personal directive. One pocket also holds two very important lists; my current medication list and a list of my past surgeries, all fourteen of them. Unless you spend a lot of time seeing doctors, you probably have no idea how often I’ve needed those two lists; how many times I’ve been handed a clipboard and asked to fill out forms that require me to list all my medications and past surgeries. Without those lists, I’d be stumped. What year did I have my gall bladder out? What’s the name of that blood pressure med and what dose do I take? With my notebook in hand, all that information is at my fingertips.

Thankfully, the notebook has a strong plastic cover and a stiff cardboard back. Without those, I doubt that it would have lasted all these years. After all, I’m sure it’s been to at least 150 appointments with me!

If you or anyone you know is ever diagnosed with a serious or chronic health condition, I’d definitely recommend getting a notebook. It really has made my journey easier.