Most of us are not prepared for the responsibilities that we assume when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer. We instantly become a “CAREGIVER” — we don’t have any experience for role we are about to assume.

Just remember that every patient’s reactions to treatment are different — it helps to be flexible and adjust your routine as different needs arise. Never refuse an offer for help. Cancer treatment can take a long time. Accepting help from others will help prevent caretaker burnout.

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In 2019, I published a book entitled The Boxer’s Corner. The book was a semi-real time account of my experience as a caregiver during my late wife’s battle with metastatic cancer. In the book I recount the pain, frustration and isolation I felt in my role as husband, father and caregiver during my wife’s agonizing battle.

But in addition to the human component of our experience, the book also touched on a number of issues relating to her treatment that I believe exposed shortcomings in her...

I had experience with cancer before it arrived in my marriage. Some 10 years ago my Mother made that awful phone call to me. “Can you call your brothers and sisters? It’s lung cancer and they are giving me a year”. Being tough Mom did not respect the diagnosis, it was about 15 months before she made the last call “come get me, I just want to go home”. 

Hospice came early that night and were back at 3:00 AM, and mother passed with her dignity. All pretty much according to our...

November is National Family Caregivers Month created by the Caregiver Action Network. Caregivers come in all ages and both sexes. They take care of their spouses, mothers or fathers, siblings or their children. There really is no profile of who family caregivers are – they are both male and female, younger and older.

But this month, we recognize our family caregivers who give so freely to help their loved ones stay at home, with dignity, love, and comfort. For all of us, we’ve become...

As if being diagnosed with cancer is not bad enough, working out the logistics of a prolonged and complex treatment might prove even harder. I sometimes think of those early days after my diagnosis when my husband, who was my caregiver, and I were so naïve about what we would be facing with my Stage IV rectal cancer diagnosis.

But we did make one commitment to each other, and that was that we would try to navigate this terrible diagnosis “one day at a time.” But in looking back at those...

Confused about what palliative care is? Has someone suggested that you receive palliative care but you’re afraid that it’s the same thing as hospice? There is quite a bit of confusion about palliative care and how it may benefit cancer patients.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care seeks to relieve a patient’s symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life. Palliative care provides patients relief from both the symptoms of their disease and the symptoms created by their treatment.

By...

Our guest blog post today is from Layne Compston, he is the Son of Laura Compston, "LCompston", a 2-time head and neck cancer survivor covering 32 years. His post gives a Son's view of fighting cancer.

Growing up as an only child had its benefits. For example, I didn’t have to share my toys with anyone. My mom and dad always made sure I had plenty to open when it came to certain holidays such as Christmas. I always remembered having many presents under the tree. My parents would always go...

Tears 

Someone said when you’re falling in or out of love every song on the radio is about you. The Same is true of the cancer experience. Most everyone, at some awful or wonderful way point, relates that moment to a song. 

My wife is dying of cancer and there is not a damn thing I can do about it. We husbands of cancer cry often, and with deep feeling, but more often alone than with our wives….and right at that moment I sat in Traffic and was the loneliest man in the world. If...

Caregivers are crucial and often underappreciated partners in cancer care. Whether they’re supporting you by doing small errands, taking over the bills, or simply being at your side, these people are on this journey with you. It can be a tough and stressful experience.

Of course, while you appreciate all the efforts from your caregivers, the fact that you need a caregiver at all is an indication that you’re enduring some tough times of your own. With all the tribulations of cancer treatment...

You're diagnosed with cancer, you call a few friends and give them the heartbreaking news, they promise to be there, just tell them what you need. Fast forward a few months and see who's there now. Many of them aren't around, or are very distanced and you may even have a new circle of friends that include people that weren't friends before cancer. 

A cancer diagnosis is devastating news, for you, your family and your friends and many people just can't handle it. 

Is it your fault?...