scrapping an illness or recovery

Hi friends,
Just wondering if anyone has scrapped someone's or their own journey of an illness, surgery, or recovery? I was diagnosed with a non-cancerous brain tumor a few weeks ago, and will be having surgery in 9 days from now. So far I've documented doctors' visits, tests, appointments etc.
Anyone?

My son has a heart condition and I have scrapped all of his doctor appts, taking pictures of him all hooked up to the machines and recording the results.

Best of luck on your surgery!

I was actually just thinking about documenting in some way a bad infection that I've been dealing with all summer in my foot. Mainly because it's just been so unbelievably weird. I've been taking photos along the way for each doctor and specialist I've had to see. Maybe that's just how a scrappers mind works.

I did a scrapbook to documents sons brain surgery. It was a lot of fact stating but I don't think we would have remembered them any other way. I thought I would never forget it but a lot of the exact diagnosis and details we have.

My insurance company (back in the days of local office and self insurance) sent me a copy of the surgery report to keep for my scrapbook. It is very interesting. Like the sweeping of bone dust and putting it back in the holes they drilled. Sizes of bur holes, waiting on pathology to call. I bet you can get it from the hospital after. You should if you can.

It has people who visited and in the back are all the letters (from his classmates) and cards he received in plain page protectors I used as pockets. His class made him a quilt with their handprints on it. I scanned it and used it as background for some pictures of his class.
I took some pictures of his MRI scan and put them in there

Nowadays you could get copy of MRI on disc and put in pocket in book.

It would be nice to be able to write how you felt about the surgery before and then again after.

I love the book and he looks at it when he's home.

I just wanted to say all the very best for your surgery and for a speedy recovery

My husband was diagnosed with a rare form of non-hodgkins Lymphoma - I documented that, from doctor visits, to testing, to our/my feelings about it. I have photos from him getting staging done and in the Radiation center......... it's part of our life, it's part of our story, why not?

How is he Gwynn?

Judy. I didn't document much of my 2 1/2 year medical journey other than the paperwork and facts. 7 years on, it's almost as if it happened to someone else. It's funny, the two weeks of losing my father 14 years ago are more vivid in my mind.

I've done one LO from that time, that's all.

I think for some it can be a great way to process and heal, and for others reliving everything may be the last thing they want to do.

MUCH less serious -- I do plan to do a page or two of DH's knee replacement. We simply adore the surgeon, the surgical site was a magnificent incision with tons of staples, and his scar is impressive. Also I have a CD with the xrays, so should be a good excuse to use some of my halloween skeleton stuff (NOT the primary reason I want to do these pages, I swear! )

Sheryl makes a great point - if you want, you do have the right to obtain a copy of your complete medical record including scans. You may have to pay a printing or copying fee.

Wishing you the best of luck, Judy!!

Oh Good points! I have to revise my previous statement - I scrapbooked these things AFTER i was able to provide a resolution to them. What i found during and after the process was that forcing myself to consider the blessings and positives in our experience made it easier to me to cope and my hubby to lean on me.

He's doing better Rosey - thanks for asking. However, it is certain he will have an undetermined amount of positive sites in the future at unknown intervals. Currently we are in the topical chemo therapy maintenance stage.....

I haven't scrapped anything like this, but just wanted to with you good luck and a speedy recovery with your upcoming surgery.

Thanks for the responses, everyone.
Gwynn, thank you for sharing, so glad your hubby is doing better. I do believe that a good attitude is the beginning of a good recovery.
Sheryl, great ideas regarding the documents and MRI.

Best wishes for a good outcome, speedy recovery and good pain relief.

My son had surgery last January which was very similar to the surgery Sheryl's son had.

I kept notes of everything and scrapped pages with just journaling, some with him in the hospital and even one page with a picture of the hospital.

Before surgery he wrote on Facebook that he was anxious to get it done and all his friends commented. I printed that part of Facebook where all his friends were wishing him luck.

He posted on Facebook after the surgery and all those notes from his friends were printed out.

So much was happening then and it seemed to happen so quickly.

One of my favorite things - he knew he wouldn't feel like himself for a while after surgery - tired, his jaw would hurt and he would be on meds so he found a picture of a cartoon brain that looked like it had been beaten up and didn't feel good.

He put it on his phone so if anyone texted him and he didn't feel like texting back he could just send that photo that let them know that his brain was hurting.

I have that little cartoon guy in the scrapbook too.

I am currently...very slowly...working on a scrapbook of my cancer journey. I am currently in remission with a non curable blood cancer. The doctors remind me once in a while when I am in every 3 months for my check ups that it will come back at some point...we just don't know when. Anyway...my grandkids are still pretty young and I want them to know how much I have enjoyed the time I have spent with them and how the cancer has changed my outlook on life. My scrapbook contains a lot of the dates and facts...the initial diagnosis, treatment, stem cell harvest and transplant, maintenance chemo, and recovery; and it also contains a lot of journaling about my feelings through it all. It has been slow going and is not complete as I only work on it a little at a time. I have saved all of the email updates that were sent out to friends and family at the time so that part of the journey is documented and all of the well wishes were saved. I am very glad that I did because now, 4 years after the stem cell transplant, some of it seems surreal!! I like looking back because it reminds me of how many people stood with me and continue to stand beside me now and just how blessed my life is every day. I have filled the book with all kinds of positive thoughts and stories that people shared with me. One of my teacher friends told me to "Kick Cancer in the Butt" so that is the title of my scrapbook!

wishing you well in your endeavor!!

Thank you all for your replies. Jo, I sent you a pm.
Today is day 14 post op. It's the most difficult thing I've ever gone through so far, but I'm doing so well now. Slow but sure...

Good to see you back! I'm so glad you're doing well, and still smiling. Are you up to doing much yet?

Getting stronger every day! I've been thinking about getting some hospital pics printed, and maybe start a simple layout. I definitely need to journal a lot more.

Yes, journalling is important. (Says she, who has just finished her first day back at work and hasn't written a word yet... )

GOD bless you Hey Jude ! I will be praying for you!!!

Yay Judy! Sounds like you are doing great! Wonderful news.

Glad to see you back in the threads and to hear that you are feeling better each day!! Will continue to pray for you...

Judy; It's nice to hear you are slowly recovering.

I have not documented my boughts with cancer; but do want to do it for the last time I had it as my son was especially kind to me. I think a page in his book (yet to be made) would be special.