SadnessI lost my husband of 34 years on October 31st of this year, just over 2 years after him receiving a cancer diagnosis on September 29th, 2020. Our world was... By Margy521 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments8 comments
When Lifesaving Information Comes Too LateContent Note: This article mentions abuse. If you or a loved one are struggling, consider reading our mental health resources page. Since I was a baby boy, I remember my... By Charles Anthony Ulloa4 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
From My Son: Stay or Go? Helplessness or Hope?The weeks and months after my Mother's bladder cancer diagnosis was even more challenging than those first few days. I had been able to search more calmly through information on... By Shirley Norris3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
From My Son: Dealing with My Mom's Bladder Cancer DiagnosisHow do you break the news of your diagnosis to your adult children? That question is hard enough to answer when your children live locally. But if your children live... By Shirley Norris3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments10 comments
Per Mom: On Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG)Mom always told me that she loved how I explained things. She said I had a way of making people understand. An understanding was something that was sorely lacking in... By Charles Anthony Ulloa3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments16 comments
Treating Mom with BCGAbout 10 days after Mom's successful TURBT procedure, her oncology surgeon began her on a regimen of BCG. Fortunately, the progression of the cancer after her TURBT showed stage 1... By Charles Anthony Ulloa3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments9 comments
Back From a TURBT: Caregivers and CathetersMom's second attempt and first successful transurethral resection of a bladder tumor occurred about 10 days after the first unsuccessful attempt. I was so unbelievably nervous on the way to... By Charles Anthony Ulloa3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments9 comments
TURBT Is an Acronym I Know Too WellIt seemed like no time from when we finally got Mom's bladder cancer diagnosis that she was scheduled for the first surgery. The very word surgery made my skin crawl... By Charles Anthony Ulloa4 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments7 comments
Mom's Entry into this WorldI've heard many cancer survivors say that they remember exactly where they were or what they were doing when they found out they had cancer. I imagine this has to be... By Charles Anthony Ulloa4 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments
What Caregivers Can Depend on From MeHello! My name is Charles and I am sad and glad to be a part of this conversation. I want to formally introduce myself and let you know what you can... By Charles Anthony Ulloa3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Caregiver Check-in: Your Well-Being Matters Too!As we enter the season of being "thankful", we'd be remiss to not acknowledge that November is Caregiver Awareness Month! Having come from a long line of caregivers, I know... By JadaWalton2 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments
The Importance of Emotional Support for Patient and CaregiverJust how important a caregiver can be to a person with cancer is becoming clearer. Many studies have shown that a person’s own emotions can affect their choices and thoughts... By Editorial Team3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Caregiver Resources: Where Caregivers Can Go for SupportMillions of people are caring for loved ones who are sick or disabled. In fact, some 25 percent of U.S. adults report providing care or assistance to someone with a... By Editorial Team4 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
What Would The Non-Survivors Tell Us?We hear a lot from bladder cancer survivors — about their stories, their recommendations, their fears, and their triumphs over cancer. But what about the people who don’t survive? The... By Renata Louwers3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
I Lived the National Caregiving Trends (Part Two)In May, the AARP released a report, Caregiving in the United States 2020. It is a comprehensive survey of unpaid caregivers in the U.S. The data was gathered via an... By Renata Louwers2 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
I Lived the National Caregiving Trends (Part 1)I don’t need the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to tell me that unpaid caregiving is a tough job in the United States. But it is validating, as well... By Renata Louwers3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
How Does the Care Team Treat the Caregiver?Cancer caregivers are often described — in brochures or panel discussions – as selfless. Friends, family, and providers have a tendency put them on a pedestal. In my experience, though... By Renata Louwers3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Caregivers Feel Rage, TooIt has been 6 years since I was a caregiver in the trenches of stage IV bladder cancer. My husband and I were on a desperate quest to save his... By Renata Louwers2 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
The Rewarding Work of Being a Volunteer Moderator for an Advanced Cancer Caregiver Support GroupIn my Part One article, I wrote about the nonprofit AnCan's Advanced Cancer Caregivers’ Call that I co-moderate. This virtual support group is based on a “peer-to-peer” format. What does... By Renata Louwers4 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Palliative Care Is Having a Moment – But It’s About So Much MoreIt is astonishing to me as I write in mid-May that the United States has now lost nearly 87,000 people to COVID-19.1 The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) estimates... By Renata Louwers3 min readBookmark for later Reactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
