Get Organized! How to Keep Track of your Medical Paperwork

A handful of people braved the snow to participate in Puja Thomson’s practical workshop, Get Organized! How to Keep Track of Your Medical Paperwork at The Desmond Campus, Newburgh on November 27th, 2012.

Each class member brought an empty three-ring binder and filled it with material Puja Thomson provided: such as a copy of the already 3 hole-punched 87 page My Hope & Focus Organizer, extra dividers, named tabs, sheet protectors, and a business card holder sheet. Puja Thomson introduced guidelines and helpful hints to show the class how to divide the paperwork for each aspect of their health journey. This way they would have everything—their emergency contact information, professional team, medical history, questions for doctors and their answers, test/lab results, prescriptions, billing, insurance, family involvement, and other useful information—all at their fingertips!

Next, everyone got involved adding personal information to specific pages, such as emergency contacts, and began to work on their health history log, confident that they could complete the entries at home after the class.

Puja encouraged everyone to:  

·      Use only the pages that are relevant at any given time and come back to other details as needed later. Take breaks!

·      Change to a much bigger binder, or subdivide the information between several binders, as your info accumulates—so that, e.g, everything concerning medical visits is in one binder, while insurance and billing is in another. Place Resource information in folders in a file box on a shelf

·      Get help!

·      Put in place your health care Proxy and Living will immediately, even BEFORE illness knocks at your door, if you haven’t done so yet. (A good resource is  Five Wishes from www.agingwithdignity.org/)

·      Remember! What matters is that YOU can find everything without fuss or stress.

It was well worth braving the elements! As one participant put it, “This course absolutely met my expectations. It was well-organized and informative. Having had a recent hospitalization and long illness, the paperwork has been overwhelming. Puja’s wonderful “My Hope & Focus Organizer”, the extra dividers, tabs and pages she provided along with her very clear guidelines were very helpful. I wish I had this information 8 months ago… I will use it and pass it on...”  Another found the organization ideas “original, detailed and useful.” And another shared that the “Questions to ask your doctor” were particularly valuable.

Written by Cynthia Stewart for Roots & Wings

Praise for Roots & Wings’ Country Getaway

Jennifer from Brooklyn, NY, has come back to Roots & Wings’ Country Getaway in New Paltz, NY, many times with her family.

“My family found Roots & Wings’ Country Getaway through tripadvisor.com. We travel to upstate New York primarily for rock climbing in the Shawangunk Mountains. Roots & Wings is at the foothill of the Shawangunks, just west of New Paltz, easy to get to on the NYS Thruway. While staying at Roots & Wings’ Country Getaway we’ve also gone hiking around the area in the Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park. On days with bad weather, we love to explore the nearby village of New Paltz.

My family has stayed at several other bed & breakfasts in New Paltz, NY. We’ve gone back to Puja Thomson because we like the way she’s set up Roots & Wings’ Country Getaway. The first time we went there we were very impressed. You can choose either The Mountain Studio Apartment or The Garden Room at Roots & Wings’ Country Getaway. Both are extremely well maintained.

We’ve stayed at both: The Mountain Studio Apartment, a small, but efficient space,  has customized furniture, like a built in table you can put up and a loft bed, which is pretty amazing. We also love staying in The Garden Room. It has an adjacent breakfast nook and access to a sauna. The last time we stayed in the Garden Room we were able to see deer roaming around the backyard. Everyday we saw the same two or three deer. We are from the city and we normally don’t get that kind of exposure to nature.

Puja Thomson is very accommodating. She provides food in her refrigerator and fresh fruit so you can enjoy breakfast on your own time, early or late. We also like that Roots & Wings is secluded and quiet, at the end of Ramah Lane, with great views. The location of Roots & Wings cannot be beat for people who like outdoor activities. If you like to go rock climbing, the Shawangunk cliffs are ideal. We’ll be going up next week to explore new cliffs.” – Jennifer, Brooklyn, NY.

Written by Cynthia Stewart for Roots & Wings

Top Ten Things to do at Roots & Wings’ Country Getaway

At Roots & Wings’ Country Getaway in New Paltz, NY, you can replenish the body, quiet the mind and rejuvenate the soul in an enchanting landscape. Your host Puja Thomson will welcome you warmly. Take advantage of the opportunities for healing and adventure at Roots & Wings’ Country Getaway in all seasons.

Here’s what we recommend.

1. Treat yourself!

 Roots & Wings encourages you to relax. At Roots & Wings' Country Getaway, you can book a massage, a hands-on-healing session for energy balancing, a Bach flower essence consultation, and enjoy the sauna. Puja Thomson is a counselor, healing facilitator, educator and minister of natural healing in the Healing Light Center Church.

2. Walk the Labyrinth

Labyrinths are based on ancient geometric patterns considered sacred. Labyrinths are used by many cultures and spiritual traditions to bring discovery, insight, peace and happiness. The Roots & Wings labyrinth is open year-round, weather permitting. Walking the Labyrinth can help you reconnect with nature, earth’s energy and yourself.

3. Meditate

Enjoy the relaxing environment and natural beauty of your Country Getaway at Roots & Wings.  You can sample guided imagery and meditation CDs while you rekindle your inner balance. OM!

4. Turn your Getaway into a healing retreat

Take advantage of Roots & Wings’ health and consultation services offered for individuals or couples in a private, comfortable setting with professional support.

5. Personalize your Country Getaway

Connect with Puja Thomson to plan a retreat that meets your needs. Focus your energy on: Relaxation and Inner Calm, Reconnecting to Love, Spiritual Renewal, or craft your own focus with Puja’s support.

6. Get moving! 

Roots & Wings is nestled at the foot of the Shawangunk Mountains, a beautiful landscape excellent for hiking, biking, swimming, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. The “Gunks” are famous for world-class rock climbing. Roots & Wings is only two miles from the Mohonk Preserve Visitors’ Center, and five miles from Minnewaska State Park. The Walkway Over the Hudson is a newer attraction in the Mid Hudson Valley that offers an excellent view of the Hudson River and Hudson Highlands.

7. Explore New Paltz 

New Paltz is a charming and historic college town with restaurants and shopping galore. Perfect for antiquing, only seven miles from Roots & Wings.

8. Check out the Shawangunk Wine Trail

Enjoy nine family owned wineries nestled between the Shawangunk Mountains and the Hudson River. Taste fine wines made in the tradition of the early French Hugenots and Walloons who settled in the valley over three hundred years ago.

9. Have an adventure! 

Nearby hang gliding, skydiving and parachuting venues offer gorgeous views and adrenaline rushes for the daring.

10. Take time for you! 

Pause your busy life and focus on your needs, whether that means being active, or taking time to breath. Roots & Wings Country Getaway is a peaceful environment with opportunities for personal transformation, insight and spiritual renewal. 

12 Ramah Lane New Paltz, NY

Written by Cynthia Stewart for Roots & Wings

My Hope & Focus Organizer Wins 2012 USA Best Book Award!

My Hope & Focus Organizer, a tool to simplify track and support all aspects of your cancer experience, by Puja Thomson, won the 2012 USA Best Book Award in the "Health: Cancer" category. 

Disorganization is hazardous to your health!" Puja Thomson says. When facing a health challenge, it is important to minimize stress. My Hope & Focus Organizer offers step-by-step guidance, essential questions to ask, advice and practical encouragement to help you coordinate your experience.  Forms and charts in the workbook can help you manage your paperwork and important information. My Hope & Focus Organizer comes in several forms to match your needs. The unbound and bound versions are three-hole punched and can easily be transfered to a binder. My Hope & Focus Organizer is also available as an eBook. Puja Thomson's My Hope & Focus Organizer can help cancer survivors at any stage of their journey. The workbook is geared toward cancer survivors, but offers useful advice for anyone facing a health challenge.  My Hope & Focus Organizer prompts you to take charge of your health and be empowered through organization and hope.  

My Hope & Focus Organizer has received the following awards:  USA Best Book Winner and Finalist in the 2012 National Indie Excellence Awards and the 2012 International Book Awards. If you would like to order a copy click here

Soon to come a revised and expanded edition, now called My Hope & Focus Cancer Organizer

Written by Cynthia Stewart for Roots & Wings

Upcoming Event, "Get Organized! How to Keep Track of your Medical Paperwork"

Puja Thomson will be hosting a workshop, “Get Organized! How to Keep Track of your Medical Paperwork,” at the Desmond Campus for Adult Enrichment on November 27^th, 2012, from 1:00- 3:30 PM. Good recording keeping is essential when you are faced with a health challenge. This practical workshop will teach you to use Puja Thomson’s organizing tool, My Hope & Focus Organizer, to simplify and track your record keeping. For information, cost and registration, please call 845-565-2076. Material fee: $10 payable to instructor. Please bring a 3 ring binder. 

Written by Cynthia Stewart for Roots & Wings

Perspectives on Breast Cancer Survivorship at the Benedictine Hospital October the 22nd

Hosted by the HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley and co-sponsored by Breast Cancer Options

A panel discussion at a local hospital inspired a lively discussion on living a full life after a breast cancer diagnosis. The goal of the event was to help people connect to the emotional, social and spiritual support they need and find meaning and purpose in their lives.

Puja Thomson, author of After Shock: From Cancer Diagnosis to Healing and My Hope & Focus Organizer, facilitated the event, Perspectives on Breast Cancer Survivorship, at the Benedictine Hospital on Oct. 22. Five panel members represented organizations that work together to offer services and resources in the Hudson Valley to benefit women and families affected by breast cancer. The panel included, Barbara Sarah, founder of the Oncology Support Program at Benedictine Hospital, Mary Martin, a breast health navigator of the Fern Feldman Anolick Center for Breast Health at the Benedictine Hospital, Wendy Stickley-Ocker of the American Cancer Society and Hope Nemiroff of Breast Cancer Options. The representatives presented their perspectives and offered resources for audience members to receive the support they need. The audience was encouraged to help others find the support they need and positively influence the future of breast cancer.
        

Methods and perspectives on breast cancer vary, there are even multiple definitions of cancer survivorship, Thomson explained. Some believe that survivorship occurs at the time of a cancer diagnosis, others believe survivorship is won after treatment ends, while some believe that survivorship means living with cancer. “The number of people living with cancer will increase over the next decade because the quality of survival is improving,” Wendy Stickley-Ocker of the American Cancer Society informed the audience. The American Cancer Society aims to help your survival plan, and relieve the negative emotional effects of getting a diagnosis.

“You can still have a full and rich life even if you are diagnosed with cancer,” Barbara Sarah said. Sarah’s Oncology Support Program promotes a philosophy of living well. Her work is based on Buddhist philosophy, but teaches people of various faiths to live life with intention and to cope with worry and fear. “Now is the most important word, live everyday fully,” Sarah told the audience. The Oncology Support Program offers more than your ordinary “sit and talk” support groups. Their programs include classes on cooking, memoir writing, art and music therapy, improv groups and much more. Their Nurturing Neighborhood Network connects cancer survivors to other survivors trained by the Oncology Support Program to provide peer support. Through the Oncology Support Program people can turn their worries into action and find solace in their peers.

Mary Martin is a breast health navigator of the Fern Feldman Anolick Center for Breast Health who works to help people receive cancer treatment, especially the uninsured or underinsured. The Fern Feldman Anolick Center for Breast Health at the Benedictine Hospital provides comprehensive breast imaging like diagnostic screening and digital mammography and ultrasounds. Martin described a new law that helps educate patients in N.Y. The law requires health care facilities to inform patients who have dense breast tissues that their cancer could be concealed on a mammogram. People with denser breast tissue have more glandular tissue and less fatty tissue. “Additional imaging, such as ultrasounds or MRIs, may be necessary,” Martin explained. Women whose breast cancer was not indicated on mammograms because of their dense breast tissue lobbied for this law. The Breast Density Inform bill will take effect Jan. 1st 2013.

The panel stressed the importance of using information from trustworthy sources to create appropriate treatment plans. “People don’t just want support groups, they want information to make their own decisions,” Hope Nemiroff of Breast Cancer Options explained. Breast Cancer Options educates patients about effective treatment options and promotes public awareness regarding cancer risk education. Breast Cancer Options offers free acupuncture for people undergoing cancer treatment and companion advocate programs to support patients during doctor’s appointments in various counties in New York.

Audience members contributed to the discussion and voiced their appreciation for the work of the panel members' community programs. One audience member shared how breast cancer support services helped not only herself, but her family and community. “We struggled, but I think my children will be better people because of our family’s experience with breast cancer.” She mentioned the positive experience her children had at Camp Lightheart, a free summer camp for children whose parents are diagnosed with breast cancer. Camp Lightheart was created by Breast Cancer Options, as a response to the lack of resources for children affected by cancer.

Breast cancer affects every aspect of an individual’s life. The panel members represent different cancer services, but their organizations share a holistic approach to cancer that strives to heal a suffering individual, not just a body part. The resources offered at Perspectives of Breast Cancer Survivorship provide support in the Hudson Valley community. Through evidence based information and programs, people can move forward after a cancer diagnosis and live a full life. 

Written by Cynthia Stewart for Roots & Wings

Breast Cancer Options
Contact Hope Nemiroff

hope@breastcanceroptions.org

845-339-HOPE (4673)

Oncology Support Program brought to you by the HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley

Located at the Reuner Cancer Support House 80 Mary’s Avenue, Kingston NY, 12401 
845-339-2071

 The Fern Feldman Anolick Center for Breast Health at the Benedictine Hospital, brought to you by the HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley

New location: Thomas A. Dee Cancer Center
111 Mary’s Avenue, 1st Floor,
Kingston, N.Y. 12401

845-334-3099

American Cancer Society

Hudson Valley Office now at 121 Executive Dr., New Windsor, NY,  12553
845-440-2500 
1-800-ACS-2345

Roots & Wings
puja@rootsnwings.com
www.aftershockfromcancer.com

Upcoming Event, "Perspectives on Breast Cancer Survivorship"

How do we ensure that we continue to live fully through cancer treatment, connect to the emotional, social and spiritual support that we need, and find meaning and purpose in our lives?

Puja Thomson is facilitating a panel on moving forward after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Presenters include representatives from the various aspects of cancer support services including:

Barbara Sarah, LCSW (Founder of the Oncology Support Program)
Mary Martin (Breast Health Navigator of the Fern Feldman Anolick Center for Breast Health)
Puja Thomson (author of "After Shock: From Cancer Diagnosis to Healing and My Hope & Focus Organizer)
Wendy Stickley-Ocker (American Cancer Society)
Hope Nemiroff (Breast Cancer Options)

Healthy Snacks Provided!

Located in the Administrative Services Building Auditorium of the Benedictine Hospital. 105 Mary's Avenue Kingston, NY


Brought to you by the Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley and Breast Cancer Options

Written by Cynthia Stewart for Roots & Wings

You, the Empowered Patient

Puja Thomson leads her discussion, "You, the Empowered Patient"

Puja Thomson began her discussion, “You, the Empowered Patient,” by introducing herself through the experiences that have shaped her perspective on healing. Through growing up in Scotland and living in the United States she has been exposed to two very different health care systems. The specialization of medicine in the United States has a tendency to disempower patients. The goal of “You, the Empowered Patient” is to help patients reclaim their power.    

Organize your Wellness Journey

Being empowered means taking charge of your medical challenge. Puja Thomson said, “As a competent adult, it is your legal responsibility to make decisions, not anyone else, including your doctor.” The audience received three handouts to help them organize their wellness journey. The first handout stressed the importance of preparing for a medical appointment and gave guidelines. The second suggested questions to ask your doctor during annual health visits. The third offered questions to ask your doctor when you don’t feel well, such as, “What is my diagnosis? What is my treatment? What should I do if symptoms worsen? Should I have a follow up appointment?” My Hope & Focus Organizer, by Puja Thomson, is a tool to simplify, track and support all aspects of your cancer experience. Puja Thomson is working on an updated version applicable to any illness.

Discussion

The audience shared experiences and difficulties they have with their doctors and insurance companies. One of the audience members spoke about feeling intimidated when doctors used jargon they couldn’t understand. One attendee mentioned their grievance with the lack of communication between their doctors. It is important to speak up and ask your doctor to slow down and talk so that you can understand. Puja Thomson said, “Sometimes you must decide if a doctor who is impolite, but skilled, is right for you.” Audience members described feeling disempowered by insurance companies. Puja Thomson advised the audience to use their support system to help them read forms, “Do not sign anything you do not understand.” Consider your perspective on health care and what approach to medicine you are comfortable with. Healing depends on attitude, and your attitude improves when you trust your doctor.

Support Systems

         Support systems are essential to your wellness journey. “Don’t go it alone,” Puja Thomson passed on helpful advice she often received. You are especially vulnerable when you go to the doctor’s office feeling sick. It’s important to feel grounded. Having someone with you at an appointment can help you interpret what your doctor says and relieve the shock of a diagnosis. Several attendees spoke about their good experience with the apothecary in Saugerties as a support system in their community.

Intuition

 Western culture stresses the use of reason and logic; intuition is often ignored. Trust yourself. Consider your own opinions as well as those of professionals, friends and family. Puja Thomson asked, “How much do you trust your intuition in determining the type of treatment and doctor that is right for you?” The responses varied, but everyone agreed on the importance of self-advocacy. To be an empowered patient you must be your own advocate. 

Picture taken with permission of audience members

Further Reading List:

How Doctors Think, by Jerome Groopman

After Shock: From Cancer Diagnosis to Healing, a step-by-step guide to help you navigate your way, by Puja Thomson

My Hope & Focus Organizer, by Puja Thomson

Written by Cynthia Stewart for Roots & Wings

Upcoming Event: "You, the Empowered Patient."

Puja Thomson, founder of Roots & Wings, will lead the discussion, "You the Empowered Patient," on October 15th, 2012, at the Saugerties public library at 6pm. Her presentation is designed to empower us to create and manage our journey to wellness.

Topics include:

• Navigating the medical community / system

• What to expect from your physician & how to help your physician help you

• Second and third opinions

• Choosing from conventional, complementary and alternative therapies

• Organizing the paper trail, medical record-keeping, billing, insurance & advance

   directives

• Developing a support community

• Creating your wellness program

Puja Thomson's My Hope & Focus Organizer, will be presented as a resource for coordinating your wellness program efficiently. Puja Thomson's books will be available for purchase at this event. 

 We hope to see you there!

Written by Cynthia Stewart for Roots & Wings