This is Faith's medical notebook. In here, is her life.... schedules, medical records, phone numbers and addresses, appointments, documentations, lab results, shot records, diagnosis lists, research on her conditions, research on doctors she sees/has seen, evaluations, therapy notes and IFSP's. After she was born, I began to realize that a simple calender in my purse was NOT enough! So I began working on a notebook that I could carry with us, everywhere. Over the years it has evolved and a few years ago I found a binder with a carry strap that fits over my shoulder. This is our lifeline! We go everywhere with this notebook. I usually change out everything once a year and update everything as well as keeping any important older info. I used to buy those expensive calenders to go in it for like ten bucks. But this Christmas I found a great cheap alternative at Big Lots for a dollar fifty. A spiral bound notebook with 26 blank monthly calenders so I can fill them in as I need them. I keep a pencil pocket for business cards, in the front and an accordion file for things that don't fit in the tabs.
It always surprises doctors when they say they didn't receive a document from another office and I whip it out of the notebook. It's really a running joke in most offices. Office staff know it well and at our peds office they all brag about it to other parents. When Faith had a seizure at the office, last week, I left it at the front desk, while they called trying to get an appointment for us. The girl at the desk knew just where to go and filled in the appointment for me! This is probably the single most important piece of equipment that we use in our lives. When I change everything over, I just file away or box up the old records. If you don't have something like this, I highly recommend making one! They are INVALUABLE!
