What's the Latest?

Ever had a doctor ask you when your last cholesterol check was and you just glazed over? How are we supposed to remember such things when it's challenging enough just to remember the size of every growing foot in the family!  After one occasion of digging and digging through files to locate the date of my latest tetanus shot (of which I had no clue, but had to find), I decided to create a file simply called, “The Latest.”

This file has served me immeasurably over the years. It records our “latest” physicals, eye exams, dental check-ups, immunizations, test results and so forth. Though I couldn’t tell you right off when I had a particular procedure or service, I can look in my file and know when it is due or even overdue. And of course, the data is at ready retrieval for your family's medical documents, school forms, or other relevant information.

Another helpful tip for me has been to schedule my yearly physical (and other annual check-ups) at the beginning of the year. As we are fond of saying at our house, “Do things you have to do first.” So the first week of the year I schedule these appointments and Lord willing, do not have to think of them again until the next year.