Cancer
Cancer Articles for Caregivers
Marilu Henner, A Truly Fearless Caregiver
Marilu Henner is a five-time Golden-Globe nominated actress who was a caregiver to her husband, diagnosed with bladder cancer. She sat down with Editor-in-Chief, Gary Barg for a wide ranging discussion about cancer and being a caregiver advocate. Read more
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Caregiving by Men: A Husband's Perspective
The formal diagnosis of ovarian cancer was confirmed after seven hours of surgery at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Read more
Keeping an Eye on Long-Term Health while Managing a Cancer Diagnosis
I remember hearing the doctor say to my husband, “You’ve got cancer,” and immediately wondered if I had misheard those words. Cancer diagnoses can result in many emotions for caregivers. You may struggle for another breath, cry... Read more
Keeping Safe at Home with Chemotherapy
As more and more chemotherapy is given in outpatient clinics and at home, it is extremely important that caregivers and patients understand the risks and hazards that household members may be exposed to. Read more
The Trouble with Hope
I had a strained relationship with hope before my wife was diagnosed with cancer. Read more
Caregiving through a Doctor’s Eyes
Caregiving is universal. It knows no boundaries of age, race, religion, profession or economic status. Caregiving will touch all of our lives at some point along the way. Read more
Laundry Night
“I had a dream last night about water,” my mother says as we dice cantaloupe and brew our morning coffee. “I woke up with wet sheets.” Read more
A Year of Alzheimer's
“It’s a Puh.. Puh… Puh… word.” I desperately explained to my husband. He turned his head away from me and walked into the other room. I stood there alone, bereft, defeated, feeling the tears burn through my embarrassment and frustration. Read more
Why Do We Attend Support Groups?
Especially after having gone through a life-threating illness? Do we want reminders of what may have been a difficult time for us? Apparently, we do. Read more
Comfort Zones Are Overrated
It’s all my husband’s fault. Because of his cancer diagnosis, I’ve had to take up hiking tall mountains, eating more nutritiously and stepping outside my comfort zone. Read more
Cancer Caregivers: Their Worries and Sleep Problems
A loved one’s cancer diagnosis is life-changing, for them and for you. Even when you’re willing and able to become the primary caregiver, the reality is that the demands of caregiving can have a profound effect on your health. Read more
The New Normal Versus A New Beginning
How many times in your caregiving have you heard the words “New Normal”? I myself have used the term in talking to others and at our cancer caregiver meetings. Read more
When Your Caregiving Days Are Over
I am a facilitator of a Cancer Caregiver Support Group in Ohio. In the course of our meetings, several topics surface. One that got my attention most recently was: How a caregiver moves on once their caregiving days are done. Read more
The Art of Cancer Caregiving
A cancer diagnosis is incredibly stressful for the person receiving the diagnosis. But those caring for the patient, both informally and formally, also experience stress, which can affect their own health and the patient’s outcome. Read more
Two Relationships in One
To be entrusted with the care of another human being is one of the greatest honors that can be bestowed on you Read more
Helping Cancer Patients Protect their Family and Everyone’s Drinking Water
Chemotherapy drugs are life-saving drugs and can be given on an out-patient basis. This allows the patients to return home where their families can care for them. The most powerful chemotherapeutic drugs are genotoxic – they directly attack DNA. Read more
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Thrombosis: The Hidden Risks and What Cancer Caregivers Need to Know
Thrombosis — the formation of blood clots in a vein or artery — can affect anyone. But cancer patients are at higher risk of thrombosis than the general population, so caregivers should be particularly aware Read more
The Changing Room: A Caregiver’s Lament
It was just one more day where I sat and stared at the non-descript gray sign that read 'Women's Changing Room." There were some days when I imagined I was sitting in the locker room of a fancy golf club. Read more
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Effective Pain Management
Effective pain control improves the individual’s state of mind and ability to move through the healing process. There are a variety of options for pain control and doctors work toward addressing side effects that can occur with pain medications. Read more
A Terminal Diagnosis Does Not Terminate Living
When my father began our phone conversation with the words, "Are you sitting down?" I knew the news to follow would not be good; but I never in my wildest dreams imagined he would tell me my 73-year-old mother was terminally ill... Read more