I’m often asked: “Jen, how did you do it?” I reply: “What do you mean?” They say: “How did you do it, you know, caregiving?”
coping
Honoring Jeff
It has taken some time to figure out what feels right in acknowledging and honoring Jeff’s life on this blog. He’s been gone just over 2 months. We created Secondhand Cancer while visiting one of our favorite spots in WA – the San Juan Islands. We broke away in between chemotherapy cycles to get a bit […]
Bend or Break
Last two weeks have been tough. We didn’t get good news from the latest scan results. Add to that, an unanticipated surgery to resolve new vascular issues and painful lymphedema in the leg – a gift from radiation we cannot return. Whether it’s side effects from treatment, abnormal blood work – whatever – there’s always something […]
Advocacy Series: #5 – Adjust As Needed
In my professional life, I lean on a strategy I call “test, measure and adjust”. What I like about it is that it encourages experimentation, it creates space to identify what’s working and not working, and it invites creative alternatives. The more I’m exposed to caregiving, the more I believe “test, measure and adjust” is a […]
Advocacy Series: #4 – Get Organized
Create a system that works for you where medical information is easily and quickly accessible. To every appointment or test, I carry a shoulder bag that includes: 1) a list of active medications, 2) a list of the latest scan and test dates, 3) summaries of the test results, and 4) if relevant, MRI or […]
Advocacy Series: #3 – Respect Your Power
You know your body. You know your loved one’s body. You know their medical history, how they respond to treatments, how they feel about a procedure, and what it means when they say ‘quality of life’. You and your loved one want a doctor and medical team who is open to exploring ideas and opinions […]
Advocacy Series: #2 – Do Your Research
#2. Do Your Research. Bring your own ideas and the ideas of your loved one to the medical team – and find the right team member willing to explore them with you. Ask for the clinical studies and research reports and have your oncologist explain them to you. Meet with the radiation oncologist, the medical […]
Advocacy Series: #1 – Get Curious
Thanks for joining us for the new Advocacy series! Jeff and I are teaming up to showcase 5 Ways cancer caregivers and their loved ones can be active health advocates and navigate the daily demands of cancer with strength and confidence. Our hope is that you’ll share your experiences with us in the comments so that […]
Advocacy Series: An Active Health Advocate
6 years ago, I was in a meeting when I received a call. “Hi Jen, this is (x) from riding school, there’s been an accident…”
The Last 30 Days
The last 30 days have been filled with unexpected lessons. The new pain meds Jeff was on made him unsteady and one night while getting out of bed to use the bathroom, he fell. The crashing sound of him hitting the floor woke up the house just after midnight. I rushed over, the dogs rushed […]