Ep #23: Caregiving 101, Part 1

10/18/22 • 21 min

Cancer From A to Z with Dr. Rosalyn Morrell

Caregiving can be one of the most important roles a person can take on. These amazing individuals really step up and take on the responsibility of taking care of those who have been diagnosed with chronic illnesses or acute illnesses. In this episode, I wanted to bring these often unsung heroes into the spotlight and share some of the incredible work they do behind the scenes.

Listen in to learn about the role caregivers have, some of the challenges and issues surrounding caregiving, and what caregivers can do to set themselves up for success. You will hear some of the key responsibilities that caregivers take on and come out with a better understanding of everything that’s involved with caregiving.

What You’ll Learn:

Why I believe caregivers are some of the most important people in the lives of those with cancer. (1:51)
What is involved with caregiving? (3:10)
Addressing the daily stress of being a caregiver. (7:27)
The importance of sharing the responsibilities of caregiving. (9:16)
Social workers or professional caregivers play a critical role. (10:30)
The different types of caregivers. (11:42)
List-making can help caregivers prioritize the most important tasks. (13:30)
Learning about the disease can help caregivers have a better understanding of what the patient is going through. (15:59)
Physical care might not be as intuitive as you might think. (17:45)
What will be covered in the next episode, Caregiving 101, Part 2. (19:45)

Ideas Worth Sharing:

“There can be quite a bit that’s involved with caregiving, including (1) helping to make appointments...(2) administering medications...(3) [helping] with meals or cleaning...(4) [helping] to manage side effects...(5) helping with insurance and paying bills...(6) daily activities...and (7) running errands.” - Dr. Rosalyn Morrell

“One of the most important things about being a caregiver is you have to remember to take care of yourself.” - Dr. Rosalyn Morrell

“Communication is really important [when it comes to caregiving]. If there’s a breakdown in communication, all types of [unexpected] things can happen.” - Dr. Rosalyn Morrell

Resources:

Rosalyn Morrell, MD: Website

https://www.centerpointoncology.com/

Caregiver Websitehttps://www.caregiver.org/
Episode 6: Everything You Wanted To Know About Breast Surgery with Dr. Elizabeth Arenahttps://www.cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/6
Episode 17: From Cancer to Cameras; My Cancer Journey with Beth Younghttps://www.cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/17
Episode 12: Curing Breast Cancer with Radiation Therapyhttps://www.cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/12
Episode 20: Oncology Social Workers Are Just As Important As Chemo Therapy and Radiation with Dr. June Wiley

https://www.cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/20

What You’ll Learn:

Why I believe caregivers are some of the most important people in the lives of those with cancer. (1:51)
What is involved with caregiving? (3:10)
Addressing the daily stress of being a caregiver. (7:27)
The importance of sharing the responsibilities of caregiving. (9:16)
Social workers or professional caregivers play a critical role. (10:30)
The different types of caregivers. (11:42)
List-making can help caregivers prioritize the most important tasks. (13:30)
Learning about the disease can help caregivers have a better understanding of what the patient is going through. (15:59)
Physical care might not be as intuitive as you might think. (17:45)
What will be covered in the next episode, Caregiving 101, Part 2. (19:45)

Ideas Worth Sharing:

“One of the most important things about being a caregiver is you have to remember to take care of yourself.” - Dr. Rosalyn Morrell

“Communication is really important [when it comes to caregiving]. If there’s a breakdown in communication, all types of [unexpected] things can happen.” - Dr. Rosalyn Morrell

Resources:

Rosalyn Morrell, MD: Website

https://www.centerpointoncology.com/

Caregiver Websitehttps://www.caregiver.org/
Episode 6: Everything You Wanted To Know About Breast Surgery with Dr. Elizabeth Arenahttps://www.cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/6
Episode 17: From Cancer to Cameras; My Cancer Journey with Beth Younghttps://www.cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/17
Episode 12: Curing Breast Cancer with Radiation Therapyhttps://www.cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/12
Episode 20: Oncology Social Workers Are Just As Important As Chemo Therapy and Radiation with Dr. June Wiley

https://www.cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/20

Previous Episode

Ep #22: Prostate Cancer From A Survivor’s Perspective With JW Cheatham

Getting a cancer diagnosis is never easy especially if it comes without warning. My guest today is JW Cheatham, a prostate cancer survivor, and a family friend. JW is Project Compliance and Management Consultant who has spent the last 25 years in the Space Satellite Technology field. Hearing about someone’s cancer journey can really help convey a different aspect or a unique viewpoint from that of someone such as myself.

Listen in as JW reveals what his experience was like going through his own cancer journey and his advice for others on a similar path. You will hear how JW came to his “pause point” when he found out he had cancer, how he weighed his options for treatment, and what life was like after his prostatectomy. He also shares why he believes it’s crucial to get a full health check-up early on rather than waiting till later in life.

What You’ll Learn:

Why I think it’s important to have interviews with people who’ve gone through their own cancer journey. (2:12)
What to look out for when approaching retirement age, medically speaking. (4:13)
Reasons why it’s critical to have the prostate gland checked periodically. (8:02)
JW reveals how his health care provider explained JW’s Gleason Score. (9:25)
The value of talking to others around us about what we’re going through. (13:05)
JW wasn’t overwhelmed with all of the options and where he was with his decision on how to move forward. (18:11)
The possibility of recurrence after JW’s surgery. (20:02)
Life after surgery. (23:23)
Although JW was informed about what he would expect after surgery, he feels the details weren’t there. (27:24)
The pre-op discussion about the differences between incontinence and erectile dysfunction. (30:21)
The importance of honesty in healthcare. (32:45)
How JW is feeling today and what advice he’s given to others. (35:17)
Incontinence was easier for JW at night. (38:50)
The difficulties of dealing with erectile dysfunction. (42:30)
Talking about “it” helps you get over “it.” (45:01)
The benefits of connecting with others who’ve gone through similar experiences. (47:44)
JW shares his final thoughts. (51:12)

Ideas Worth Sharing:

“We’re always looking for pain as an indicator that you have a problem of some sort, and that was not really the case.” - JW Cheatham

“There’s a pause point that you get to when someone says, ‘You have cancer.’ It makes you stop.” - JW Cheatham

“I think it’s better to talk to people every chance you get [about what you’re going through].” - JW Cheatham

“Your body has its own time to heal... [but] you have to get past your own thoughts.” - JW Cheatham

“I think it’s really important as healthcare providers that we be very honest about what are the potential side effects [and] what are the potential toxicities associated with our treatment.” - Dr. Rosalyn Morrell

Resources:

Rosalyn Morrell, MD: Website

https://www.centerpointoncology.com/

Episode 10: My Cancer Journey with Kimberly Sizemorehttps://www.cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/10
Episode 17: From Cancer to Cameras; My Cancer Journey with Beth Younghttps://www.cancerfromatoz.com/episodes/17

Next Episode

Ep #24: What Your Oncologist Wants You To Know

Getting a cancer diagnosis can be a very uncertain time in someone’s life. Questions can arise as thoughts and minds race to understand the news. With all of that uncertainty, sometimes we may forget some of the basic things we need to know for an appointment with a physician. We understand and it can be a lot to take in. In this episode, we are going to cover what your oncologist wants you to know to make your time with them easier.

Listen in to learn about six crucial things to know when visiting your oncologist. You will hear some advice you may already know and some advice you may have never thought about.

Save this episode for future reference or share it with those you know and you can use it as a quick checklist to be prepared for your next visit.

What You’ll Learn:

The importance of knowing your past medical history when meeting with your medical physician. (1.29)
Why physicians need to know your list of medications. (2:55)
Overcoming language barriers. (4:00)
As physicians, we are completely ok if patients want to seek a second opinion. (6:06)
Why I believe it’s better to ask more questions. (8:12)
Honesty is nothing to be embarrassed about. (10:33)
I share my final thoughts. (12:23)

Ideas Worth Sharing:

“It is probably safe to not assume that the physician you are seeing or their office staff speaks your language...if English is not your primary language.” - Dr. Rosalyn Morrell

“If you hear from another physician the same thing that I’ve told you, then that kind of makes it a little bit easier for you to decide—and that’s totally ok.” - Dr. Rosalyn Morrell

“The more comfortable you are with what we are recommending, the better everyone is going to be in terms of the relationship and even in terms of the treatment outcome.” - Dr. Rosalyn Morrell

Resources: