Warning - a cancer diagnosis can cause brain freeze. Anyone who has been through this knows exactly what I mean: time slows down, information becomes difficult to digest, there can be a desire to shut down, to take time to gather strength when time suddenly has a finite quality. Other symptoms may include forgetfulness, confusion, or lack of focus.

When advising patients about the gathering of information during their treatment, one of the first things I always advise them is to take a pen and notepad into their visits with medical personnel to jot down notes. Or have a family member or friend accompany them to perform this task. There is so much to remember post-diagnosis: appointments, medications, treatment types, options. At a time when focus and clear thinking is most important, this is a difficult challenge given the stress of dealing with a life-threatening illness.

Licensed clinical social workers, Donna Wolf and Robin Levine, must also have experienced this informational organization challenge for their patients because they've come up with a very helpful organizer/binder that is a comforting as it is helpful. Patient's Partner, the title says, is "the ONLY health planner that organizes the seriously ill patient's medical and personal life."

Calm and Organized

Certainly a great deal of thought and experience has been put into this new organizer. Everything about this binder is designed to impart a sense of calm and quiet order, from the friendly illustrations to the reassuring words of encouragement. Inside a blue cover is a thoughtfully-provided plastic pencil case with pens and post-it notes. The book is laid out in well-organized sections that begin with an explanation as to their purpose and advice on how to best use each section.

There is a sense of purpose and an overall completion cycle toward healing in the organization of this book as well. Inevitably, chapters begin with Questions, History, Medications, Procedures, and Test Results. Here the patient can keep a comprehensive account of necessary information, and the handy three-ring binder system allows for addition of test results, print-outs, research materials, etc. as needed.

Medicine Becomes Personal

Patient's Partner also includes issues and concerns that go beyond the medical aspects of a cancer diagnosis. There are sections for legal matters and insurance documentation, covering difficult issues like a living will and the bureaucracies of insurance companies. And for the "I wish I'd thought of that" category they have even included something they call "Thanks Due" for the bonding process that so often happens between patients and their caregivers. They've even included a packet of notecards to make the process as simple as possible.

One Size Can Fit All

What makes this organizer special are the little additions Wolf and Levine thought to include, again underscoring their intimate understanding of the needs of patients who have so much to do, think about, and care for. These extra touches include a phone book, business card organizer, pocket pages for get-well cards and other items, and an "inspiration" page for photos of friends and family.

Overall, a caring and supportive approach to helping patients work through what may be one of the biggest challenges of their lives with grace, humor, and above all, clear, concise, organized focus toward the best outcome they can achieve. This would be a great gift from a patient's friend or family member faced with the question, "What can I do to help?"

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