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...Reactions0reactionsComments5 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...Reactions0reactionsComments3 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...Reactions0reactionsComments5 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 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...Reactions0reactionsComments1 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 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...Reactions0reactionsComments3 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 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. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) estimates...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Online Illness Support from Peer Patients and Caregivers Resonates with Those SufferingWhen my husband Ahmad had metastatic bladder cancer, I was very limited in how often and for how long I could leave home. He was too sick and too groggy...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Painful Punch of the “Survival Brag”The only version of bladder cancer that I know well is the worst one. The one that kills. The one that made me a widow at age 45. The one...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
The Luxury of HealthI’ve recently had some nerve pain in my hand that is likely to be carpal tunnel syndrome. It’s not that bad, very manageable, and likely to get better. But it...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Only Way Out Is ThroughWhen life is going well, it’s easy to forget the raw distress that a bladder cancer diagnosis (or even the possibility of a diagnosis) once imposed on our psyche. I...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Managing Cancer Side Effects as a CaregiverCancer itself and treatments for cancer can cause a number of symptoms and side effects that often deeply impact daily life. For caregivers, it is not uncommon to feel helpless...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Bladder Cancer Comic: Prescription Pick-Up DecisionsCheck-ups and other urology appointments can be really stressful for people with bladder cancer. Having a friend, partner, or other caregiver attend appointments with you can help alleviate some anxiety...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Bladder Cancer Comic: Help Around the HouseWhile recovering from a bladder cancer treatment or surgery, taking time to rest is important. Having a partner or friend who can help around the house and take care of...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Managing Family Expectations as a Cancer CaregiverWhen your loved one is diagnosed with cancer, everyone’s world is turned upside down. Understandably, the cancer patient becomes the priority – their needs, their treatment, their worries, and their...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments