Whether managing a chronic illness or adjusting to a new diagnosis, being sick is never easy. Unfortunately, everything else that comes with the role of being a patient can make it even harder.

Physician-directed care plans can be complicated and confusing. Every additional medication is another opportunity to miss a dose. When you visit your doctor, you have the impossible task of accurately reporting several weeks of detailed medical information. Symptoms can vary to the point that it can be hard to tell if your medications and treatments are having the desired effects.­_­ Friends and family want to be supportive, but they often don’t have the information they need to actually be helpful…