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Create a home for your files

When it feels like you¡¯re drowning in intake forms, visit notes, bills and patient education documents, it can be hard to know where to start.

A good first step? Gather your treatment-related files in one spot, Simon suggests. This process will look different depending on whether you prefer physical or digital files. It may mean:

• Storing treatment-related documents in a notebook, folder, tray or basket
• Scanning paper documents to store them electronically
• Creating a treatment folder or tag for emails

Then, you can choose to further categorize your files by date or treatment type.

While it can be tempting to create an elaborate system, Simon suggests starting small and considering what is sustainable ¡ª and maintainable ¡ª moving forward.

¡°You really have to find the level of organization that works for you. If it's too organized and you¡¯re exhausted from chemo and treatment, you're not going to keep up with that,¡± she says. ¡°Think about what you need and what's important to you in these moments.¡±

Maximize your MyChart

One useful tool for organizing your cancer information is one that?MD Anderson?patients already have:?. MyChart provides online access to medical records, visit summaries, test results, appointments, medications and more.

If you're an?MD Anderson?patient just getting started on MyChart, you can get 24/7 support by calling 877-632-6789 and selecting option 3. You¡¯ll also find answers to??on the MyChart login screen. Find tutorial videos after you log in by going to the Resources section and selecting ¡®MyChart Training.¡¯

Already familiar with MyChart? Bryn Novicke, a manager in Information Services, and Claudia Conner, an electronic health records systems analyst, share these tips for getting the most out of MyChart.

Change your quick links

Scan the MyChart menu, and you¡¯ll see dozens of tabs for treatment-related information, from test results to billing to messaging and more.

For quicker access to the MyChart features you use most often, add them as shortcuts.

To change your shortcuts, click the gear icon after your name at the top of your MyChart home page. Then, select the six menu items you¡¯d like to appear as shortcuts.

Access MyChart on the go

You can access MyChart on more than just your computer. Download the free MyChart app on your phone or tablet from the Apple App Store or Google Play. You can also access the MyChart website using your tablet or cell phone¡¯s web browser.

Find digital copies of documents

Looking to go paperless? Find digital copies of patient education documents discussed during your appointment by searching ¡®My Education¡¯ in your MyChart menu. You can also view statement PDFs and set up paperless billing in MyChart¡¯s Billing section.

Grant access to your MyChart account

Keep loved ones on the same page about your care by sharing limited or full MyChart access. A primary MyChart user can do this by selecting ¡®Grant Adult Proxy Access¡¯ from their MyChart menu. They can also see whether someone has accessed their account by searching or selecting ¡®Document Center¡¯ from their MyChart menu and clicking 'Who¡¯s Accessed My Record?¡¯

Find a video tutorial on granting proxy access by searching your MyChart menu for ¡®MyChart Training.¡¯

Know where to find appointment info

Appointments can cover a lot of information in a short time.

Luckily, MyChart makes it easy to review what was discussed at your MD Anderson appointments. Access an appointment¡¯s After Visit Summary and clinical notes from the Visits section of your MyChart.

• The After Visit Summary is a high-level overview of what was discussed, including follow-up plans and medication.
• Notes provides a more detailed look at your appointment.

You can also access the After Visit Summary and notes from previous appointments on the Visits page.

In addition to MyChart, Simon is a fan of using a notebook or notes app to jot down any information you¡¯d like to discuss during your appointment, such as your side effects or questions for your doctor.

You can also use the notebook to take notes during your appointments. If this feels overwhelming, ask a loved one who comes to your appointments to be your notetaker.

Create a treatment calendar

Cancer treatment involves a mind-boggling number of appointments with numerous providers, sometimes stretching months into the future.

Finding an effective way to manage your schedule allows you to juggle appointments without committing them to memory. Here are some options to consider:

• Paper planner
• Electronic calendar
• MyChart

Struggling to keep friends and family informed of your treatment schedule? Creating a shared electronic calendar or granting MyChart proxy access allows loved ones to see your upcoming appointments on their own devices.

Set up simple systems

When your days feel overwhelming, it can be hard to stick with complex organization strategies. Instead, use simple systems that ensure you have what you need when you need it.

¡°I'm all about the whole KISS principle: you know, Keep It Simple, Sweetie,¡± Simon says.

Here are three KISS-able tips she recommends.

Pack a grab and go bag

Instead of scrambling to get ready for your appointments, pack a bag of essentials ahead of time. This might include a water bottle, notebook, folder, snacks, reading material, device charger, anti-nausea medication, jacket, or blanket for keeping warm during chemo. Then, come appointment time, all you have to do is grab your bag and go.

Bonus tip: If you carry paper files, designate a place to unpack and store files after each appointment.

Set medication reminders

Struggling to remember to take medications at a set time? Set a reminder on your digital calendar or set an alarm on your phone.

Move items where you need them

Sometimes, where you keep an item can make all the difference.

Need to remember to take medication right when you wake up? Keep it next to your alarm clock, toothbrush or another morning essential to help you remember to take it.

Trying to stay active? Lay out your workout clothes before bed or set your walking shoes by the door.

Have an upcoming surgery that will make it hard to reach items on higher shelves? Reorganize pre-surgery so your essentials are easy to grab during recovery.

Surround yourself with comfort

Organization is just as much about what you keep as what you choose to part with. That¡¯s why Simon recommends surrounding yourself with both items and moments that bring you joy: drinking tea out of your favorite mug, writing in a fun notebook, snuggling under a fuzzy blanket during treatment, eating your favorite snack.

¡°Looking for those glimmers of joy is really super helpful,¡± she says.

Still, Simon acknowledges that some cancer-related items simply aren¡¯t very joyful. Instead, it can help to view those items as tools that help you feel your best.

¡°People will say, ¡®Cancer treatment papers do not give me joy,¡¯¡± she says. ¡°You have to reframe it as, ¡®This is what I'm doing to make my body better and healthy.¡¯¡±

or call 1-877-632-6789.