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Maintaining a positive outlook can make it easier to cope with any challenge. But when you have lung cancer, juggling the details of your care and the emotions around your diagnosis may soak up your mental energy and make it harder to stay on a positive track. Try these tips to help keep organized and in control:

Prepare Your Schedule

Use a calendar to chart your appointments and scheduled treatments. Add as much detail as you need, including notes about how you’ll get to and from appointments and how long each is expected to last. This calendar will help you stay on track while keeping your caregivers and loved ones up to date.

Track Your Finances

Find a safe place in your home where you can keep financial records, and create a filing system to keep them organized, if you don’t have one already. For example, you might designate separate folders for medical bills and insurance paperwork. When a bill is due or you need to contact your medical providers or insurer, you’ll have the information you need at your fingertips.

Organize Your Medications

Keep your medications in a safe and convenient place. Use a calendar or notebook to document when you’re scheduled to take each one, and check off each entry as you take them. Also, try cleaning out your medicine cabinet to remove any outdated medications. This can reduce clutter and make the essentials easier to find.

Line Up Rides

Scrambling to find a last-minute ride or having to drive if you aren’t feeling well can cause a great deal of stress. If possible, arrange transportation to your medical appointments in advance. Planning ahead will also give your friends or relatives a chance to adjust their schedules as needed. Also, reach out to your support network for volunteers who can handle daily tasks such as shuttling kids to school or running to the grocery store.

Taking steps to prepare for treatment can reduce your worries and leave you with more room to focus on what’s most important—your wellness and peace of mind.