Medical Records
Justin’s medical history–dates for surgeries, doctor’s appointments, important events, changes in medications, notes–is all completed and up to date by my recollection. The doctor’s notes and discharge papers are somewhat of a mess in a separate binder in plastic coverings. This, I will work on next. Then, I have to order his records from Children’s Hospital LA and OC.
Though this is such a daunting task, keeping up with all these dates and events and paperwork,I know I have to do it. I realize this when every time I see a different specialist, even while in the hospital, they ask me for Justin’s (very long) medical history. I can proudly recite it from memory. Everything that ever happened from the day I received news of his diagnosis inutero just rushes out like water from my mouth. “Slow down, there,” a GI Doc once said to me. Everything is important. Everything that has ever happened defines the Justin today. And, I think it’s important for them to know the little pieces to see the big picture.
But, there will be a time when my memory of such horrific, sad, unpleasant events will fade. Then, there may be a time when Justin must know his own history to repeat to his healthcare providers while I may not be there to do it for him.
It is hard for me to believe that he’s only 2 months shy of 1 year old. Judging by the thickness of his 3 ring binder and his extensive medical history, you’d think he’s an old man. We’ve been through so much with him in the past 10 months, I feel like it’s been years….not months.
Sure, I don’t know what the future holds. But, it doesn’t hurt to prepare for it, right?
June 13th, 2008 at 8:01 am
That is such a good idea. I should do the same. I could spit out every medical detail of my baby’s life right now, but my memory is fading quickly (I think the past two years have caused me to get dumber by the minute), so who knows what I’ll remember a year from now!