Five Questions With…Stephen.

Posted May 5th, 2022

Welcome to our newest blog series, “Five Questions With…”  In this series, we will highlight the unsung heroes that make healthcare work. From guest services to the phlebotomist, the pet therapy volunteer, and the environmental services workers.  These individuals enhance our experiences when we are getting care and highlight human connection and support. Thank you for all […]

When Caregiving Takes a Toll

Posted May 28th, 2021

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Over the next few weeks, OncoLink will feature blogs about common mental health challenges faced by cancer patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Please remember, if you are in crisis, help is available. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Helpline 800-950-6264 A caregiver is someone […]

Embrace Your Inner Flexibility

Posted March 29th, 2021

By Barbara Falkowitz my husband, Phil, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM) 25 years ago, I was 43 and we had a 14 yr old and 9 yr old twins. I was juggling working in an accounting office, homework, after-school activities of three kids, along with household chores. Suddenly, I had to add researching treatment […]

Ways to Help and Show Support for a Loved One with Cancer during COVID-19

Posted April 17th, 2020

Changes are happening Many institutions and cancer centers have put restrictions on visitors accompanying patients for outpatient appointments. This includes patients that are receiving cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Most guidelines now state that patients can’t have anyone accompany them unless they are unable to complete the visit on their own. As […]

Caregiver Safety

Posted August 8th, 2019

Taking care of another person who is faced with a medical crisis can be simultaneously rewarding and challenging. With newer treatments, people are living longer while having medical and physical needs that require extra attention and TLC. Caregivers do incredible, demanding work day-after-day. Caregivers must be aware of caring for themselves to be able to […]

Safety and Hospice Care

Posted July 11th, 2019

Hospice is a unique service for patients who have chosen to no longer receive treatment to actively treat their disease. This does not mean they are no longer receiving any medical services. Hospice health care providers will help manage side effects affecting you through the use of medications and other modalities. Hospice providers will help […]

An Alphabet List: Cancer Caregiver Tips

Posted June 4th, 2018

Being a cancer caregiver was one of the most challenging and sweetest roles I’ve ever played. The challenging part was in the beginning. Gary, a data processing manager, had been unemployed for two years when the company he worked for was sold, and then the terminal diagnosis was dropped on us from a high-flying bomber […]

Cancer and Counter-Culture Courage

Posted February 16th, 2017

Since bringing my 89-year-old mother-in-law, Ivalene, home from the hospital where she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, we’ve both been hit with the upper respiratory plague that’s been going around. The most energy I’ve expended has been in heating up chicken broth, making mugs of TheraFlu, and throwing a fleece blanket into the dryer to tuck around […]

What’s on your brave-making list?

Posted November 8th, 2016

At the encouragement of a friend, I presented at this week’s IGNITE Bend event held at the historic Tower Theater. IGNITE events are produced in places like Helsinki, Paris and New York City. Presenters get 5 minutes and 20 slides, which automatically advance every 15 seconds. The tagline is: “Enlighten us, but make it quick.” And so I applied to […]

Saying Goodbye to My Mother: A Caregiver’s Story

Posted November 7th, 2016

By Kelly Baldwin Heid Six months after I lost my mom to BRCA-related breast cancer, LBBC asked if I would be willing to share my care-giving story. The words (and emotions) poured out of me – I could have gone on forever about my experience. Now, nearly five years later, my mother’s death—and the months […]