Cancer
Cancer Articles for Caregivers
Resources for Breast Cancer Awareness
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are some helpful breast cancer resources to help you. Read more
Recovery Room Kit
A few years ago, my mom underwent major surgery to remove a brain tumor. The day of her surgery felt like the longest day of my life. Because she didn’t have any family members in the area, I was going to be her primary caregiver. Read more
© irinacapel @123rf
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
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
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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Ovarian Cancer Caregiving
An estimated 19,710 Americans will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2023 – barring a big breakthrough, only half will be alive in 5 years Read more
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© Jean-Paul @123rf
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
Sunscreen Safety
The American Academy of Dermatology is reminding the public that sunscreen remains an important way to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Read more
fizkes@123rf
How is Hospice a Good Thing?
She looked intelligent, tired, strong, defiant, and wounded. She opened the front door enough to let me see her while tightly guarding the entrance. She said, “My friend told me hospice was a blessing – a ‘good’ thing. How in God’s name can my husban Read more
© Katarzyna Białasiewicz@123rf
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
James Gathany
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
Melanoma Risk Factors
If someone you know or a family member is diagnosed with melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, you might wonder if you are at risk as well. Melanoma is when skin cells called melanocytes grow out of control and become cancerous. 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
©Katarzyna Białasiewicz /123RF.COM
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
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
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
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
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
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
An Interview with Fran Drescher
Fran Drescher is a patient advocate for people with cancer. Editor-in-Chief Gary Barg spoke candidly with Fran about cancer and caregiver advocacy. Read more
The Only Child Caregiver’s Career
I am one among millions of statistically likely only-child caregivers working on my own to provide care within the caregiving community. Read more
