Recently diagnosed

The first few weeks after your loved one's diagnosis, you will probably be gathering information about prostate cancer and visiting doctors.

If you are a person who likes to organize things, you can develop a system for keeping track of important dates, medical articles, and other educational materials. Here are some tips that may help you:

Buy as expanding file or legal sized folder you can carry with you. Use it to hold all of your loved one's medical records, prescriptions, bills, insurance papers, business cards, important articles, and other educational materials.

Buy a notebook and reserve the first few pages for important phone numbers and addresses. This makes it easy to find those numbers when you need them quickly. Use the notebook as you do research, and take notes when you and your loved one visit various doctors. Also if you have a Smart phone use the voice recorder to help with note taking.

Get a small appointment book or calendar (one that fits in your big folder). Use it to keep track of all your loved one's upcoming appointments.Keep track of every conservation you have with your health insurance company in your notebook. Remember to date the conservation and ask for the name of the person you speak with. By doing this you will be able to document your conservation, and what was discussed, should a problem arise.

Ask for copies of every test result and keep them in your folder. You will be surprised how many one doctor will forget to fax test results to another doctor. Doing this will save you precious time, and each doctor can address important issues every visit because they will have the information the need.Also jot down the names of any nurses you meet. Nurses may be easier to get a hold of than doctors. If you have a quick question, the nurse may be able to answer it if the doctor is'nt around.

Record the number of miles you drive to every hospital or medical visit. You should be able to deduct this as an expense on your yearly tax return. If you need to stay overnight, you may also be able to deduct the cost of your hotel. Check with your accountant or the IRS.