Relationships - The Bloodline with LLS

When cancer enters a family, it changes everything – routines, roles, and relationships. In this episode, we talk with Lindsey […] The post Supporting the Supporter: Real Talk for Caregivers first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

Ellen Polamero, LCSW, OSW-C, ACHP-SW Join in as Shona sits down with Ellen Polamero onsite at CancerCon 2019. Ellen is a clinical social worker at City of Hope in Duarte, California. CancerCon is an annual conference held year by Stupid Cancer, an organization that provides support to young adult cancer survivors. This is the fourth year that Ellen has hosted a ‘Couples Coping with Cancer’ session at CancerCon and shares why it is important to her to provide this offering. On this episode, Ellen speaks about the impact of cancer, not only on the specific person that is diagnosed, but on the family unit as a whole and on intimate partners specifically. She describes the challenges a couple may experience, expectations that couples may place on themselves, the importance of communication and various resources available to couples. Ellen shares key takeaways to help couples navigate their cancer journey. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey. Mentioned on this episode: CancerCon‘Couples Coping with Cancer Together Program’ at City of HopeThe Dear Jack FoundationThe American Cancer Society Young adult informationRelationships Additional LLS support resources: Young adult videosInformation SpecialistsFree telephone/web patient programsFree bookletsFinancial supportOnline chatsCaregiver supportLLS CommunitySupport groups Become a First Connection volunteer! Learn more by calling an LLS Information Specialist at (800) 955-4572, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET or visiting www.LLS.org/InformationSpecialists. The post Coping with Cancer as a Couple first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

Stephen and Rebecca Join Alicia as she speaks with young adult leukemia survivor, Stephen and his wife, Rebecca. This episode was recorded onsite at the filming of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s young adult reunion video, which you can access here. As Stephen prepared when he would introduce Rebecca to his parents, he realized that he was experiencing shortness of breath which prompted an emergency room visit. While in the ER, he received the shocking diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Having dated for only four months, it was in the ER where Rebecca met Stephen’s parents and where both Stephen and Rebecca knew that they had found the one. Listen in as they share their story about dating, fertility and the importance of advocating for the needs of a patient. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey. Mentioned on this episode: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)Young adult informationFertilityRelationshipsCommunicating with your partnerSuggestions for coping with cancer and intimacy Additional LLS support resources: Young adult videosInformation specialistsFree telephone/web patient programsFree bookletsFinancial supportOnline chatsCaregiver supportLLS CommunitySupport groups Support for this episode provided by Amgen. Become a First Connection volunteer! Learn more by calling an LLS Information Specialist at (800) 955-4572, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET or visiting www.LLS.org/InformationSpecialists. The post Dating with a Diagnosis: Stephen & Rebecca’s Story first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

Merissa Pemberton Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with a young adult and Stage II Hodgkin lymphoma survivor, Merissa Pemberton. Having just finished her master’s degree, started her first full-time job, and moved into her first apartment on her own, Merissa believed life was finally settling down. After receiving an alarming call while on vacation, Merissa shares how her boyfriend (now husband), Jake, served as a tremendous pillar of strength during one of the most challenging times of her life. She explains how Jake, who was also in medical school, helped to remind her of her beauty, the fighter she truly is and ensured her that cancer would not ruin their relationship. They decided to navigate this cancer journey together, celebrating ‘the little things’. Listen in as Merissa shares how having a relationship where both people know when and how to be each other’s support system is crucial, as well as noticing when the other person may feel bombarded. Merissa now volunteers for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and is an active member in Pittsburgh’s Young Adult Cancer Support Group, known as YACS. CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey. Mentioned on this episode: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma Young adults resources Pittsburgh’s Young Adult Cancer Support Group Relationships Communicating With Your Partner Suggestions for Coping With Cancer and Intimacy Additional LLS support resources: Information Specialists Free telephone/web patient programs Free booklets Financial support Online chats Caregiver support LLS Community Support groups Become a First Connection volunteer! Learn more by calling an LLS Information Specialist at (800) 955-4572, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET or visiting www.LLS.org/InformationSpecialists. The post Dating with a Diagnosis: Merissa’s Story first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.