You will not get a secure web site for that kind of money. Also there are HIPPA laws regarding the data that have to be complied with as well. While it isn't discussed often, insurance companies have many mechanisms to discover a potential clients liablility to them in future medical costs, and while against the law, they find ways to not insure certain individuals. There was a big stink about this years ago when the AIDS issue and the gay community had problems with insurance companies. Security of the information about you is of significant importance. The OCF web store for instance, is much more expensive than what is being discussed here, to prevent hacking into it, to ensure the security of credit card information, and guarantee that people's private information stays that way...private. The web is a very unsecure place. That is why this company is going through so much to set it up well. Legal issues, and protection.

I have friends that do use the flash drive idea, and they scan the documents and save them as jpegs. This is a 50 buck solution, but you don't want to lose that small drive with all your private info on it.

One of the benefits to the CD's is that on a computer someone can zoom into part of an image and see things more clearly, which is a problem with fulll size films. But nt everyone has the software to read the discs, and film is always a good back up.

I know what you are saying. I was not seeing her as much as my oncol. I thought that was normal.
She makes the appointments though. I am going every 6 months now. I would like to see her more but she says no need. Since I am past the paraniod everything is the cancer coming back stage it really doesnt bother me that much.

Carol,

We see our ENT every other month and the radiation oncologist every otherr month. In essence we have an office visit every month and sometimes in between we see the chemo oncologist.

Also we have monthly exams with a dentist since radiation treatment was used.

I am the primary caregiver to my family member, (T2N1MO left later tongue with dx in 1/05)

Remember that we should be taking a Big Picture Approach to some of these things.

For example, a PCP or specialist may very correctly say, from his/her perspective, that for a patient's history and progress, X months between visits is satisfactory -- However, if I am nervous or paranoid enuf that it is affecting my life, either more visits or some anti-anxiety medicine is in order. Nobody has clear studies, I'm sure, but if a cheerful attitude is supposed to be good for your health, an anxious attitude isn't good.

I consider myself fortunate -- Because I travel so much and a fixed address HMO was not practical, I have a PPO where I pay a deductible and then 20% of whatever's left -- However, altho I get discounts for using the preferred providers, I can see whomever I want as often as they will see me -- There's no administrator standing there with a calculator saying "we see no need for more than 3.6 visits per occurance" or things of that nature. I'm also fortunate because my ENT clearly recognizes anxiety and does his best to deal with it rather than ignore it.

Regarding storage of medical records, keep in mind that as technologies change, we have to change also and the tech has to be good for home as well as for the Doc's office.

A relatively simple solution might just be to get an external 80G hard drive and plug it into a USB port. Copies of whatever can be burnt to CD or DVD and kept in safe deposit or at a relative's house.

Pete

All, thank you so very much for your input to my ENT question. Looks like I will be seeing mine every 3 months for now. Wishing everyone a very, Happy, Healthy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love, Carol

Well, as usual, I'm late to check in on a topic. I see my oral surgeon every 3 to 4 months and plan to continue to do so since he will be the one that does my surgery should I have another reoccurence. My ENT, who is local, gets to see me when I have a crisis. Neither seem to have a problem with this set up. It also allows me to keep all my checkups, scans and other tests at one hospital so the lung dr and the gastroenterologist have easy access to them. I guess I'm unique because I only had a oral surgeon, a RO and a dental surgeon where I went.

Eileen

Hi Eileen, I like you, only had my oral surgeon (whom I love) and my radiation oncologist treat me all along. That is why I was taken back by the ENT saying I should have been seeing an ENT all along, etc.....for this type of cancer. Well, like I said to him, I will be more than happy to come in every 3 months and get checked over! The more checking the better! Happy new Year! Love, Carol