May 15, 2017

7 Lessons Learned From Being a Cancer Caregiver

Becoming a caregiver for a loved one with cancer may be one of the most important roles in someone’s life. It may also be among the most challenging, often because it comes without warning, preparation or prior experience. Many times, when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, the caregiver is thrust into the role […]

April 10, 2017

From Patient to Caregiver

Shortly after Chelsea “Chuck” Glenn was diagnosed with stage III esophageal cancer in April 2001, the doctor who performed a second set of tests said his only choices were to try to find a clinical trial or get his affairs in order. The couple seemed to be out of options—until Ann saw a commercial for […]

November 14, 2016

#1 Cancer Killer in Women – Know Your Risk

In the spring of 2015 Newport, Virginia resident Anne Beleu felt a twinge of pain in her left side, which became persistent over a couple of months. “I thought I had pulled a muscle,” Anne says. “I had been stacking firewood with my boys, and I figured I had just overdone it.” But when the […]

July 11, 2016

Caregivers May Benefit From Spiritual and Faith-Based Support

A cancer diagnosis affects not only the patient but also the loved one who will be providing emotional (and in some cases also practical, informational and financial) support. Caregivers face both mental and physical demands, and up to 66 percent report significant anxiety and depressive symptoms as a result.[i][ii][iii] Caregivers, often faced with a loved […]

February 19, 2016

Loving with Cancer

Cancer can feel like an attack on your emotions as well as your health, and coping with the effects of treatment, the anxiety about the future and the stress of the disease can be extremely difficult for couples. Meet two couples who formed and mended loving, supportive relationships in the face of a devastating diagnosis. […]

August 10, 2015

Prayer Rituals for Patients and Family Members

Catholic Religious practices include bedside prayers, the Eucharist (if requested) and the use of sacramental aids in the spiritual life, including such items as rosary beads and holy images of saints, especially Mary, the mother of Jesus. “During the Anointing of the Sick, a priest will anoint the patient with blessed oil, forgive all sins […]

February 10, 2015

Facing Cancer as a Team

After 30 years of marriage, Maureen and Ken Ragan have been through a lot together. But in 2005 the Ragans took on their biggest challenge yet: When Maureen was diagnosed with stage II colon cancer, it was a no-brainer—they’d tackle this challenge as a team, too. Maureen went through six months of chemotherapy in 2006. […]

February 10, 2015

Tips for Caregivers Impacted by Addiction

The negative impact of addiction is not limited to the patient. It also affects caregivers, who are already dealing with increased physical and emotional stress. “Alcohol and nicotine have high rates of recidivism,” says Laura Sunn, MD, psychiatrist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) in Zion, Illinois, “which makes it hard on the caregiver […]

January 9, 2015

What to Say and Do When a Friend has Cancer

When a friend is facing cancer, it can be difficult to know what to say. As a result, we often choose to say nothing—or, worse, the wrong thing. If a friend is battling cancer, take a deep breath and think before you speak. Here are some general guidelines: Don’t: Don’t use well-meaning but trite phrases […]

January 3, 2015

Caregiving 101: A Crash Course in Caregiving

By definition a caregiver is anyone helping a loved one navigate a significant illness, such as cancer—but the term doesn’t even come close to describing the endless list of roles associated with caregiving. Caregivers are charged with a multitude of tasks and responsibilities. If you’re stepping into the role of caregiver for the first time, […]