PODCAST · health
Caregiver Companion-A Guide for the Family Caregiver of Cancer Patients
by John Razzano and Frances Baumgarten PhD
When you become a caregiver for a loved one with cancer, you are thrust into the most important role in your life, and probably one that you are the least prepared for. We are here, to say you are not alone, there is help and you will succeed. Listen to our stories, our experts, gain knowledge, confidence and power as a caregiver
Episodes
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Meditation
Caregiving is hard, grueling demanding work. Caregivers are prone to caregiver fatigue and burnout. As a caregiver is it important to be there for your loved one. But never taking the time, or never considering your own well being actually diminishes what you can do as a caregiver. Self care is…
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From Caregiver to Volunteer to Advocate
Today Fran and John speak with a couple who were caregivers for their first spouses when they were diagnosed with cancer. They both went through difficult times caregiving for their spouses, and through tragic loss. They came through their grief, found each other, and turned to volunteerism to...
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The Sound of Music
Fran and John speak with a Certified Therapeutic Musician. A unique title, and a unique instrument she plays. Carolyn Bodginski is a Certified Therpeutic Musician, helping patients, family caregivers and even hospital staff deal with the stresses of having, and caring for, someone with a life...
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Clinical Trials Part 2
In this episode, we continue the conversation with Dr. Fui Sun Wong, Oncology Pharmacist and Professor of Pharmacology about the many aspects of clinical trials.
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Clinical Trials Part 1
In today's episode, John speaks with Dr. Siu Fun Wong, an Oncology Pharamacist and Professor of Pharmacology. It is a deeper dive into the world of clinical trials, as a follow up to last season's introduction to clinical trials.
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Public Policies in Caregiving Part 2
In todays,episode, we continue the discussion of public policies with respect to caregiving, outside the United States. In my limited research, I found no consistency among various programs and policies in place around the world. Although, there are definitely some 'best practices' that could be...
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Public Policy Part 1
There is a caregiver crisis happening throughout the world. For the vast majority, the role of caregiver falls to a family member or close friend when a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness or disabiity. It is one of the most important jobs a person will have, and yet, one they are least...
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Concentric Circles of Caregiving- Part 2
In part 2, we continue the conversation with Patty and Lori. Two women whose partners are the primary caregivers to their parents. If you are a caregiver, we know the feeling of isolation can be overwhelming. You feel like its all on you to take care of your loved one. Its 24/7 and can be…
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Concentric Circles of Caregiving
Caregiving can be described as a set of concentric circles, sort of like a bullseye, where the center of the circle is the patient- the focus of everyone's attention. The next circle, or ring, is the primary caregiver, closest to the patient and the most intensely involved. As you move out from…
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Episode 14 Year End Recap
This year we covered topics such as friendship and caregiving, with two friends that were both cancer survivors and helped each other through their cancer journeys. We spoke with a pharmacist who provided information on handling medications. A doctor spoke to us about navigating clinical trials.…
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Episode 13 Caregiving During The Holidays
In today's episode, John and Fran discuss ways to approach caregiving during the holiday season. Caregiving is difficult, challenging and stressful. The holidays can and will add to the pressures and anxiety of caregiving. But with the ideas discussed, you may find some ways to simplify the...
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Episode 12 Mid Year Update and Request
Sorry for the delay in getting this episode out to you all. It's been quite a summer! My new wife and I spent the month of July on the other sode of the country, caring for my sister to recover from knee replacement surgery. Then it was my turn. I developed a large abscess, and with fever...
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Episode 11 "Losing Mom" A discussion with Dr Fran about Her Book
When a serious illness affects a parent, oftentimes the young children are overlooked or excluded from the situation. Externally, they may seem fine, but internally they are observing, processing and trying to make sense of what is happening. In her insightful book, Dr Fran put us in the mind of...
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Episode 10 A Monster Calls....
When a cancer diagnosis is given, it is given not only to the patient, but to every family member. Like a rock trown into a calm lake, those waves emanate out impacting family and friends surrounding the patient. Over the course of our podcast, John and Fran have spoken to friends caring for a...
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Episode 9 Caregiving on PBS
In this episode, John and Fran talk about the upcoming documentary "Caregiving" to be aired, Tuesday June 24 at 9PM on Public Broadcasting System (PBS) stations across the USA. It will also be available to watch via streaming on www.PBS.org. The documentary is produced by Wellbeings...
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Season 2 Mid Season Update
It's been a while since we published a new episode. There has been a lot going on... with Fran's practice, with John's medical situatiuon, as well as personal things. We wanted to let you know what we have been up to, and also to let you know that we have not let you go! We have been talking…
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Season 2 Episode 7 Navigating Clinical Trials
In this episode, John and Fran talk with an Oncology Pharmacist with a deep knowledge of the clinical trial world. We heard about the diferent phases of clinical trials, and what each means; when and where to look for clinical trials. We also heard about the rights and responsibilities of both…
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Season 2 Episode 6 Caregiving Stress Part 2
Caregiving is a marathon, not a sprint. The caregiving continuum takes a caregiver through all kind of responsibilties, tasks and pressures. In this episode, John and Fran talk about the pressure of caregiving at the end stages of treatment, whether that is remission and surveillance, or hospice...
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Season 2 Episode 5 Dealing with Stress in Caregiving Part 1
There are many pressures people are dealing with in today's world. Watching the news, one sees wars, famines, natural disasters all around us. In our own personal world, prices, jobs, family, kids all contribute to a heightened anxiety. It seems a symptom of modern society. Add to this ambient...
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Season 2 Episode 4 Caregiving with Rare Cancers
Winston Churchill, in describing the old Soviet Union, once said "it is a riddle wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigmna". When a loved one is diagnosed with a rare cancer, it can certainly feel that way. With limited information, and uncertainty about where to turn, a caregiver can feel…
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Episode 3 Handling Medications
When we become caregiver, we take on many roles and wear many hats. Nurse, advocate, cheerleader, chief paperwork officer, to name a few. One of the most important roles we play is the handling and administration of medications for your loved one. With advances in pharmaceuticals, there are many...
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Season 2 Episode 2 Friendship and Caregiving
In this episode, John and Fran talk with two friends, Laurie and Bonnie, who shared the common experience of breast cancer patients, support group members and advocates for other patients. Their friendship took on a new dimension when Laurie was diagnosed with endometrial cancer, after 26 years...
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Season 2 - We're Back!!
It's been a while, we know. Holidays, moving, caregiving, and life in general kept us away from the podcast microphone. But we are back! Fran and John share what the holidays were like for them, and discussideas for upcoming episodes. Season 2 should prove to be quite interesting and informative....
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Episode 18 Wrap Up for 2024 and Thank You
This is our final episode for 2024. We will be back in 2025 with more topics and guests. It was a little over a year ago that the idea for this podcast was born. In 2019, I wanted to do something to help cancer patients and their familes, and by what I believe to be Divine Providence, I met my…
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Episode 17 Caregiving During the Holidays
The holiday season can be difficult to navigate under the best of circumstances. But trying to manage through the holidays while caring for a loved one is particularly difficult. The added stresses of shopping, cooking, baking, holiday meals, parties, all build on top of an already anxiety ridden...
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Episode 16 Cultural Nuances in Cancer Caregiving
We have covered many different topics in family caregiving over the course of our episodes. These issues are universal to all caregivers across age, gender, and cultures. But within each of the topics discussed, there can be cultural nuances that create a particular perspective that impacts the...
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Episode 15 Palliative Care.....Myths and Misconceptions
Palliative care is a compassionate approach to healthcare that focuses on enhancing the quality of life for patients facing serious illness, at any stage of treatment. It aims to provide relief from symptoms, pain, and stress, while adressing the emotional, social and spiritual needs of both...
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Episode 14 Mentoring
It is often said we cannot control the twists and turns life brings us, but we can control how we react to them. Today, John and Fran speak with someone who has experienced cancer, both as a patient and as a caregiver. Michael had been caring for his wife with chronic illness for years when he...
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Episode 13 Confronting Cancer as a Couple
All relationships will face challenges over the course of time. Whether its money, jobs, kids, in-laws, couples will face diffuculties. Learning how to navigate through those difficulies is the key to success. Now layer upon that the uncertainty and challenges when one of the partners is faced…
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Episode 12 Caring for Your Child
As a parent, we are instinctively in the role of caregiver for our children. When our child is faced with a life threatening illness, our caregiving goes into hyperdrive. In this episode, John and Fran talk with Kristen Escalante, whose 12 year old was diagnosed with an rare form of cancer.…
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Episode 11 Communicating with Family and Friends
In this episode, John and Fran start the conversation discussing the news that the Princess of Wales announced she is being treated for cancer. In announcing this news, she explained that the 'silence' following her hospitalization was necessary so she and her husband could figure out how to...
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Episode 10 Communicating with Health Care Providers
In this episode, John and Fran talk about the elements and strategies for communicating with the medical team. As a caregiver, you are a vital part of the medical team and have valuable information to give to them. You are also the eyes and ears for your loved one. In many cases they may be able…
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Episode 9.. Communicating with Your Loved One
In this episode, we talk about the importance and necessity of good communication. There are multiples points of communication for the caregiver; with the doctors and medical systems, with family and friends, possibly other community members, and most of all- with your loved one. Today, John and...
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Episode 8 Nutrition...Food for Thought
Food can be a powerful force. Not only does it fuel our bodies, and provide essential elements for our well being- how we approach it, how we consume it, how we think about it can have emotional and psychological dimensions. As a caregiver, it is particularly important to think about what you're...
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Episode 7 Music To My Ears
In this Episode, John and Fran explore music therapy as not only a form of self-care for caregivers, but as a therapy for your patient. We speak with a professor of Music Therapy and a Certified Music Therapst who helps chronically ill patients better cope with the physical and emotional toll a...
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Episode 6 Caregiver as Collaborator
When we take on the role of family caregiver, we become part of and and extension of the medical team. Actually, we are a vital part of the medical team. We spend the most time with the patient, under all kinds of circumstances. Today, Fran and John talk with Emily Davis, RN, Oncology Certified...
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Episode 5 Self Care is not a four Letter word
In this episode, Fran and John talk about the emotional and physical toll caregiving can generate. Fran explains the physiological and emotional strain of caregiving, and John relates his experiences as a caregiver, and what he did to cope. Self Care is a vital element for a successful caregiver....
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Episode 4 Psycho-oncology...what the heck is that?
Fran and John discuss the sub-speciality known as psycho-oncology. Cancer is overwhelming-no question about it. It can take over every aspect of your life, both as patient and as caregiver. In today's episode, Fran explains how the biological and physiological elements of the disease, and its...
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Episode 3 In Case of Emergency.....
As a caregiver, we are entrusted with the well-being and care for our loved one. It on our minds all day every day. We have talked, in the prior episodes, about how this role is one of the most important in our lives, and yet, one for which we are the least prepared. Many of us rarely think about...
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Episode 2 Breathe
You and your loved one received the diagnosis. now the journey begins. a flood of thoughts come into your mind all at once. 1000 questions you never considered enter your head. It's overwhelming and scary cause you don't know what you don't know. You will get through it….breathe…. Let's talk…
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Episode 1 The Hinge
Welcome to Caregiver Companion, a guide for the family caregiver of cancer patients. My name is John Razzano. I became the caregiver for my wife, Mary, when she was diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2014. I'd like to introduce my friend and colleague Fran Baumgarten, clinical psychologist…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
When you become a caregiver for a loved one with cancer, you are thrust into the most important role in your life, and probably one that you are the least prepared for. We are here, to say you are not alone, there is help and you will succeed. Listen to our stories, our experts, gain knowledge, confidence and power as a caregiver
HOSTED BY
John Razzano and Frances Baumgarten PhD
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Caregiver Companion-A Guide for the Family Caregiver of Cancer Patients have?
Caregiver Companion-A Guide for the Family Caregiver of Cancer Patients currently has 49 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Caregiver Companion-A Guide for the Family Caregiver of Cancer Patients about?
When you become a caregiver for a loved one with cancer, you are thrust into the most important role in your life, and probably one that you are the least prepared for. We are here, to say you are not alone, there is help and you will succeed. Listen to our stories, our experts, gain knowledge,...
How often does Caregiver Companion-A Guide for the Family Caregiver of Cancer Patients release new episodes?
Caregiver Companion-A Guide for the Family Caregiver of Cancer Patients has 49 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Caregiver Companion-A Guide for the Family Caregiver of Cancer Patients?
You can listen to Caregiver Companion-A Guide for the Family Caregiver of Cancer Patients on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Caregiver Companion-A Guide for the Family Caregiver of Cancer Patients?
Caregiver Companion-A Guide for the Family Caregiver of Cancer Patients is created and hosted by John Razzano and Frances Baumgarten PhD.
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