When I was nineteen, I became aware of two health concerns; the first was finding my first breast lump, and the second was getting pregnant. Each gave me an education about mine and my newly formed family’s health. My breast lump turned out to be fibrous tissue (an adenoma).
My pregnancy was healthy with a small concern about my glucose levels and swollen ankles in the last month. Following my daughter’s birth, a Pediatric Cardiologist visited my hospital room informing me that something was wrong with her heart. Three days after she was born, I took her to an appointment for an echocardiogram. Guess what? Her heart was completely fine.
Why October is Important to Me
I continued to find more lumps and monitor my breast health. I moved from California to Oregon and I continued to monitor my breast health. But at the age of 39, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. This is why October is personal to me.
The breast surgeons in Oregon wanted to biopsy areas that were already completed in California. The problem? They had no record of my past surgeries. I had not been sent for them. In 2004, electronic medical records were not common.
October Breast Cancer Awareness, but there are so many health awareness for the month. October is also the awareness month for Antidepressant Death, Down Syndrome, Dyslexia, Emotional Wellness, Animal Safety and Protection, Bullying Prevention, Dental Hygiene, Depression Education, Domestic Violence, Liver Awareness, Spina Bifida, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and tying this all up is Organize your medical information.
Physician Know Thyself
I am a wealth of my own medical information. I have been tested, poked, surgically altered, radiated, and scanned for a variety of potential ailments and gotten to know my own body fairly well. But I realize that not many other people know all that history. My husband and father know parts. My doctor knows other parts, but there is no comprehensive, all-encompassing knowledge of what makes me, well me! (anatomy and physiologically that is).
Now each time I get tested or have findings from a specialist, I ensure that all records are sent to my general physician. This way I know that my records are all in one spot.
Why? There are many reasons:
- Avoid unnecessary medical testing.
- Ensure a strong medical team that reviews your records.
- Review your records in one spot and make sure that it is accurate
- Give your loved one (or health representative) access to all your records in one place
(To ensure that there is no violation of HIPAA regulations) - Ensure that your medical records are complete because when you leave a doctor’s office (or it closes) you may lose your information. Your records may be destroyed after the office is not legally required to keep them.
If I were unable to present my own medical case, who would present all the needed knowledge about my past? Hopefully, a doctor, nurse, or someone who has all of my medical records would be able to find valuable nuggets of information because I was good about getting all of my medical information in one place. The same for my daughter. She is ensuring that all of her information is with one physician for the same reasons.
For the month of October, make a commitment to have your health checks performed. Don’t procrastinate and be sure that you have your medical information all in one place. Happy health. Happy village. Happy heart.
