After 30 years of practice as a thoracic surgeon, I regard Megan Hayes among my most memorable patients. Every patient is "special" to me. Megan was "extra-special"--an extraordinarily bright and talented young woman with her heart set on a career in Medicine. Articulate. Determined. Courageous. Loving. Kind. The "good health" stone she gave to me while convalescing from one of several major lung operations I performed on her is a cherished gift. The PATIENT MEDICAL JOURNAL helped Megan and her parents find order in a world turned chaotic by cancer. The willingness of Megan's parents to provide this JOURNAL to others is a reflection of the values of kindness and sharing with which Megan grew up. The JOURNAL is a wonderful tribute to the memory of my patient and Little Friend. MARK B. ORRINGER, MD
Professor and Head,
Section of Thoracic Surgery
University of Michigan Medical School

The PATIENT JOURNAL was such a valuable asset to my sister’s caregivers and I during her bout with cancer. The amount of information relating to her illness came in fast and vigorously! The JOURNAL gave us a place to organize and keep everything so that, when time allowed, we could study and learn from it. My sister lived in Florida while all of her family, including her daughters in college, were in Michigan. She had an enormous support network of friends and supporters through work, church, and civic activities. We had set up a schedule for people to be with her around the clock. The JOURNAL ensured that her care and medicine schedule would be consistent. I was inundated with comments from the many people who were impressed by the JOURNAL and understood its undeniable value. I cannot imagine how we could have managed without it!
DOROTHY TARNOWSKI, Caregiver

The PATIENT MEDICAL JOURNAL offers me a way to take an overwhelming amount of medical information and make it managable. To get well, I have to work with many doctors and nurses and I take the JOURNAL with me to every appointment. I use it to organize my own research and any questions I have. It is comforting to have order in my life at a time when there are so few variables that I can control.
JENNY ENGLE, Cancer Journal User

I have found the PATIENT MEDICAL JOURNAL (MEGSWORK) to be extremely helpful. As a patient, I have been given so much information to digest that it becomes overwhelming at times. With MEGSWORK, I have been able to keep all my medical information together and I never leave for an appointment without it. God has truly blessed Patt and Mary Helen with this ministry and I am thankful to both of them for sharing such a helpful tool to make my journey easier.
BREANNE GENTNER, General Journal User

The MEGSWORK JOURNAL is not only useful to patients, but to healthcare workers as well. Patients are more likely to keep their records organized and bring them to each visit at different institutions if they have the tools available. This information provides for better coordination of care.
DARCEL SHANKLE, Oncology Nurse

The PATIENT MEDICAL JOURNAL is truly an invaluable tool for any cancer patient. As a nine-year cancer survivor and an inpatient going through a bone marrow transplant, this JOURNAL kept all of my medical paperwork organized and at my disposal. My family had access to everything that they needed, and I had a place to refer to when consulting with doctors, to look up information about medications and previous procedures, and to jot anecdotal records of hospital stays, office visits, and home care.

This JOURNAL continues to be a priceless resource as an outpatient. In fact, I had it in the car the day that I went to fill out disability paperwork at the Social Security Office. This JOURNAL enabled me to make a complete and thorough claim, as all of the information I needed was kept together and organized. While the JOURNAL provides a sound structure for organization, it allows the patient much flexibility to meet his or her individual needs.

Dealing with cancer treatment is overwhelming in so many ways, but Megswork PATIENT MEDICAL JOURNAL eases some of the burden and provides a practical and valuable tool for a patient and his or her family. MICHELLE GALECKA, Cancer Journal User

"Very - keeping my paperwork organized helps quite a bit."

"Excellent idea. I love it!"

"Santos just found out he has cancer & he is mainly comfortable speaking Spanish, this journal is easy to understand, organized & easy to carry. Thank you."

"Very useful. Helps to organize the multitude of papers, etc. All in one place. Zipper keeps all in. Handle good to carry. Excellent product. Thank you for your caring."

"This was a great idea and is very helpful. God bless."

"I am using this journal for all of my husband's medical records. You made it easy to carry them around with us. Where can we get more Journals?"

"It keeps me more organized. Very helpful."

"We just received the journal from a friend and are in the beginning process, so not yet sure what sections will be most helpful, but I LOVE the concept. Good job!"

"I have rheumatoid arthritis and am having a hard time keeping track - this will solve it!"

"I can keep all info together in a zippered book - nothing falls out. Thanks for the paper punch and pencil bag. :) You thought of everything."

"Thank you so much. So much to have to organize with my husband's diagnosis of cancer. This really helps!"

"Very useful! Again, it made it easy to stay organized. Our daughter is 17 and she will be able to take it with her when she leaves home."

"Appears to satisfy most needs very well."

"Very helpful- To be organized."

"Useful - I can also see where it would be extremely helpful for an extended illness."

"It keeps all of our pages in one closed binder and easy to carry."

"The journal is a great organizational tool for keeping all the info together and handy. Thank you so much."

"Clear pocket sleeves useful for cards, notes, keepsakes. I appreciate having this journal. It's great!"

"Very useful for keeping track of the multitude of papers."

"Received a note stating: I'm writing you this little message to let you know what a difference you make in peoples lives-daily. Thank you so much for the Patient Medical Journal from the Hickman CC. inspired by your beloved Megan and sponsored by Kiwanis of Adrian. It's such a great help to me and we were and are so blessed to share in her love and life and your love for your community, others and each other!"

"Kept everything I needed in one spot."

"All sections were useful and appreciated."

"It has really helped me to get all my medical papers organized! Although I never had the privilege of teaching Megan, I remember well as I taught at NDA from 82-04. The journals are such a beautiful way to remember Megan."

"We have used this journal to organize our son's medical visits over the past few years. It has kept us organize and less frustrated."

"I just had #2 chemo today! But I am keeping track of everything now!! Thanks to you! Really like it."

"Keeping appointments, using the calendar."

"Very helpful and easy to keep everything in order!"

"All were helpful. Great idea. This book is excellent. We've been receiving papers and folders from everyplace we've been. It's so nice to have one place."

"Keeping track of my husband's medical history for four years. Very good idea."

"I just started using the journal - it will be of great value to me and help me to keep track of everything. Thank you so much for the journal."

"I am just beginning my journey. It is helping me at the onset to know what to do with all the paperwork in an organized way. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and help to me and my family."

"All my medical history on my wife with cancer and dementia are kept in one place."

"Keeps everything in one place. easy to grab and go."

"Easy to handle- keeps everything organized."