My Pink File

Written by Christina Duvenhage on 15 May 2024

In 2023 I have been diagnosed with a couple of critical illnesses.

I have never really given some thought as to how an illness or disease could affect my life and what I would need to do just to have some what of a life. But recently I fell ill, my body was aching and spasmed, I did not stop coughing, my nose was congested and I just felt terrible. So much so that my husband wanted to rush me to the hospital. It was at that moment that I realized that if something would happen to me, no one would be able to tell the doctors on which medication I am on or what my illnesses are. It was then that I got the idea of putting a file together.

I call it my pink file.

My pink file consists of all my medical information, so that in the event of something happening to me, my family can give the file to doctors without having the stress of trying to remember everything. This way they can focus on the task at hand. Everyone knows exactly the stress your under when in an emergency situation. The sisters and doctors asking all these questions and you feel like your brain has decided to go on vacation and you can't remember one single thing. With the pink file you have everything at hand. I keep my pink file with all the important information in my cupboard along with my medication. This way when rushed to hospital me or my family can take my medication with the pink file without having to search for everything. What information needs to be included in your pink file? you might ask. Well below is just a list of some of the thing that I have included in mine, but there is no set of rules really, for each person it might different.

What does my pink file consist of:

1. Current treating doctors, with contact information

2. Current illnesses being treated by said doctor

3. Treatment/medication prescribed by said doctor

4. Schedule on when medication is taken

5. Additional information, like new illnesses being treated for and for how long example: Flu.

6. Operations and hospitalization previously received.

7. Previous medical information

8. Medical aid information with a copy of medical aid card

9. Last wishes: DNR(Do not resuscitate), Living will and Last will and testament

10. Next of kin information in case of emergency

11. Copy of ID