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