Okay… I meant to follow right up with the real details but got side tracked. I have learned over the years to keep track of everything that comes out of my doctors’ offices. I keep all labs and results. I also make sure to ask for a copy of everything before leaving the appointment. If you ask while you’re there, they make a copy for you without issue. If you try to get stuff afterwards, you often have to go through their Records Dept, fill out paperwork, PAY… So it’s just easier to ask while you’re there.
I have two enormous binders. I used to attempt to go back in periodically and organize them, but I’ve given up the practice. I now just transfer everything to them, and then put them up for the next time I need them. Every now and then I wonder why I bother doing all of this, but then something happens to remind me.
For the melanoma stuff, I do try to keep it all together. I do ask for copies of every single biopsy result, and I do read everything. My last melanoma that was taken off my cheek was a good example. Before giving me the results, they wanted to compare it to the last re-excision from where they had removed a moderately atypical mole without clear margins. They wanted to see the description and the area so they could give me a good diagnosis. It turns out diagnosing melanoma is NOT as objective a practice as one would hope…so good record keeping is in your best interest. And diligence. And sunblock. Even if you don’t like the oily residue, @TravelingOn… EVEN IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE STICKY RESIDUE. You wouldn’t let your man get away with not doing his insulin cuz he doesn’t like needles, right? But I digress…
I also keep record of all my old physicians… or at least the ones who did any kind of testing. You’d be surprised how often I need to have an old doctor’s name and have no recollection.
What else?? Oh, when applicable, I also pick up a copy of a disk, and I do keep those as well. Some doctors (the better ones in my opinion) have no interest in reading other people’s reports. They want to look at the image and determine for themselves what’s happening. I actually have a standard that when I get to something complicated, and I come across a doctor who ONLY wants the report, I cancel and move on.
I’ve had a LOT of medical stuff to keep track of, so I really have to do this amount, but most of it just seems a good way to stay on top of your own medical care. I’d like not to have to go to the doctor, but as long as I have to, I’ll continue to keep tabs the way I do.
) until it was time for her to go home again… still with nothing. Sounds like she might want to look into a GO bag. 
