Kate Whitson Shares Her Journey as a Caregiving Wife

Today, we are joined by Kate Whitson, who talks about her husband Randy's ALL diagnosis.  Randy was 43, and their son was about to turn 5 and go into kindergarten.Kate discusses the unique challenges of being Randy's caregiver and trying to convey the situation to Max in an age appropriate way. In some ways, they were lucky that Max was too young to fully understand the situation, but they faced the daunting task of Max starting school under unique circumstances.Kate relied on many family members to help her take care of both Randy and Max throughout this ordeal. They found it helped to normalize things for Max by having Friday Family Movie Night at the hospital, complete with pizza. And you'll love the story of one friend who waited in the lobby for hours just in case Kate needed a listening ear that day-- and she did! Kate shares the importance of putting your oxygen mask on first, just like they say on a flight. Also, as hard as it may seem, accept help from loved ones and to talk to others who have been in your shoes. The information in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult with your health care provider regarding your medical decisions and treatment. The listed resources are not intended to be endorsements.For more from the National Bone Marrow Transplant Link, visit us online at nbmtlink.org or call us at 800-546-5268.This season of Marrow Masters is sponsored by the nbmtLINK, Incyte Corporation and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.nbmtLINK website: https://www.nbmtlink.org/The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: https://www.lls.org/ National Bone Marrow Transplant Link - (800) LINK-BMT, or (800) 546-5268.nbmtLINK Website: https://www.nbmtlink.org/Check out our valued nbmtLINK resource books, some for sale, some free as downloadable, https://www.nbmtlink.org/shop/nbmtLINK Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/nbmtLINKFollow the nbmtLINK on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/nbmtlink/The nbmtLINK YouTube Page can be found by clicking here.This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  It is crucial to consult directly with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical conditions, treatment options, or other health concerns.The views and opinions expressed by the speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the nbmtLINK.  Unless otherwise stated in an official policy, the nbmtLINK does not endorse any specific treatments, products, or services mentioned by the speakers. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.The Marrow Masters Podcast is produced by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.