Caregiver Companion-A Guide for the Family Caregiver of Cancer Patients
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
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Episode 9 Caregiving on PBS
06/22/2025
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 . The documentary is produced by Wellbeings , a family caregiver advocacy group , resource, and center for support. Produced by the actor Bradley Cooper (who cared for his Dad when he was diagnosed with cancer), and narrated by actress Uzo Aduba, Caregiving tells the personal stories of family caregivers, their triumphs, their challenges, fears and emotions. John learned about this project over a year ago, when Wellbeings was compiling stories for the documentary. He wrote to them, describing his caregiving journey with Mary, as well as the work he has been doing since; developing a support group for family caregivers of cancer patients at a local hospital, his work with a patient support and advocacy group for for patients diagnosed with appendiceal cancer, and this very podcast. After Mary died, but before he started this advocacy work, John wrote an open letter to family caregivers. Providing advice and counsel from the point of view of one who has travelled the path, John set out to give some pointers and what, and what not, to do as family caregiver. Wellbeings graciously accepted John's story, and his open letter, to use as part of their media campaign in the days and weekds leading up to the broadcast. Both are available on blog page, and on their instagram page.
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Season 2 Mid Season Update
05/15/2025
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, about next episode ideas, and plans for the balance of the year. As always, if there's a topic you want to hear about, let us know. We will do our best to research it and create an episode. In the meantime, hang tight-we will be back with new topics and new guests. And remeber-you are not alone.
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Season 2 Episode 7 Navigating Clinical Trials
04/23/2025
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 the trial investigator as well as the patient. If you are considering joining a clinical trial, there is a lot of information to process. Hopefully this discussion will give you enough background to be able to ask the right questions. We have posted websites on our blog page that Dr Wong referenced during our conversation You can find them at www.caregivercompanion.libsyn.com
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Season 2 Episode 6 Caregiving Stress Part 2
04/09/2025
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 and end of life decision making. As a caregiver, it is important to recognize, that even if your loved one is in remission, they are living in a body changed by the illness, and possibly the treatments. Alternatively, if you are facing end of treatment options, having those difficult conversations with your loved one is important for those left behind to understand their wishes.
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Season 2 Episode 5 Dealing with Stress in Caregiving Part 1
03/26/2025
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 stress levels, the added pressure of receiving a cancer diagnosis for a loved one, and the pressure is intensified. In this episode, John and Fran talk about the physiological and psychological responses to stressful situations, in particular the initial phases of caregiving. There are resources that can help the family caregiver. Self care is an important element in dealing with stress as well. Small things can go a long way.
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Season 2 Episode 4 Caregiving with Rare Cancers
02/26/2025
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 incredibly lost and overwhelmed. Today John and Fran spoke with a woman, who cared for her husband Jeffrey, when he was diagnosed with rare appendiceal cancer. She talked openly and candidly about her journey and what she learned along the way. February is rare disease awareness month, in the United States, and we want to recognize those individuals battling rare diseases, and the people who love them and care for them.
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Episode 3 Handling Medications
02/12/2025
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 anti-cancer drugs that can be taken orally as opposed to intravenously. That allows patients to avoid the infusion centers and risk of infection with an IV. However, the benefits of oral meds means more diligence required by the caregiverr to help administer and handle meds in a safe manner. Today John and Fran speak with a practicing hospital pharmacist and professor of pharmacology about the proper steps a caregiver should take to manage medications safely.
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Season 2 Episode 2 Friendship and Caregiving
01/29/2025
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 remission of her breast cancer. Laurie and Bonnie open up about that journey, and how Bonnie ,almost organically stepped into the role as caregiver to her friend. Their's is a story of strength, courage and bonds of friendship that is both endearing and compelling.
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Season 2 - We're Back!!
01/16/2025
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. Above all, we want Caregiver Companion to be a place where you can come, at the end of long day, and listen to people who have been, or are still on your same journey. Our message is 'you are not alone", and our mission is provide you, as a caregiver, a sense of community and fellowship, to be your companion on this journey. We wish you all the best for a year or growth, renewal, strength.
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Episode 18 Wrap Up for 2024 and Thank You
11/14/2024
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 good friend Ray, who also lost his spouse to cancer. Ray introduced me to people at the local hospital where he volunteered, and we formed and developed a support group for family caregivers of cancer patients. There I met Dr Fran Baumgarten, and we all collaborated on the support group. That was 2019, and the support group has been running ever since. While the feedback has been very positive, we are able to reach only those patients and their families at the cancer center. Last year I began thinking about how to reach more people, and make it easier to access, and the podcast idea was born. I spoke with Fran about possibly joining me as a guest from time to time. To my great joy, Fran was all in, and agreed to co-host with me. So we were off and running. Of course neither of us knew anthing about podcasting. A crash course ensued. We recruited support, and thanks to my neice Toni-Anne, herself a podcaster, who gave us advice, introductions to tech people, and pointed us in the right direction. And a special thanks to my talented son Danny, who created our podcast cover art, as well as all the graphics and artwork used for the slides with our suport group. I know this means a great deal to him to lend his great talents to this cause, and I appreciate him so much. This podcast has exceeded our expectations beyond compare. After 17 episodes we have over 1,000 downloads, and are heard around the globe, including the US, Canada, Greece, Australia, Russia, France, Brazil, Romania, Argentina, Sweden and Bangladesh. We want to say a big THANK YOU to all our listeners. Your listenership tells us we are providing something helpful and of value to you. You encourage us to keep bringing interesting guests and meaningful topics to you. We are now planning next year's episodes, and if you have suggestions, comments, questions or ideas please reach out to us, through our website or through our email Also, if you need support or help from a therapist. Reach our to Fran's Place There you can find help at little to no cost. We want to wish you peaceful, restful and joyful holiday season. Take one step at a time, take care of yourselves, and continue on. I want to leave you with the words of theoretical physicist Wald Wasserman.... "Life's purpose is companionship, friendship, love... and none of that could be experienced without you, so thank you, thank you, thank you"
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Episode 17 Caregiving During the Holidays
11/03/2024
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 situation. But there are ways to manage the holidays. Today we talk with a licensed family therapist who gives us some ideas on how best to juggle the high expectations of the holidays while caregiving.
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Episode 16 Cultural Nuances in Cancer Caregiving
10/02/2024
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 caregiver. And, there may be cultural factors that create unique and particular nuances in caregiving. Today, we speak with an experienced nurse navigator whose patient cohort are from the hispanic community. Angela talks about the similarities in caregiving issues, and also the unique barriers that different cultural groups face in caregiving.
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Episode 15 Palliative Care.....Myths and Misconceptions
08/28/2024
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 patients and their caregivers. Unlike curative treatments, which seek to eliminate disease, palliative care prioritizes comfort and support, by helping individuals navigate complex medical decisions and maintain their dignity. By integrating a holistic perspective into care, palliative services strive to improve overall well-being and ensure that patients can live as fully and comfortably as possible.
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Episode 14 Mentoring
08/14/2024
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 received his own cancer diagnosis. Today, thankfully, Michael is in remission and serves as a mentor to other patients traveling the same path he did. He also is an an active supporter and leader of a support group for family caregivers. There is a path forward for all caregivers, and utilizing your lived experience can be a valuable gift to others going through it.
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Episode 13 Confronting Cancer as a Couple
08/01/2024
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 with a cancer diagnosis. That can be like a magnifier upon the "normal" issues all couples deal with. Today Fran and John speak with a yuoung couple who, after learning of a cancer diagnosis, decidednto ove forward with their lives. Dealing with the cancer, but also making a life for themselves at the same time. Listen to a poignant story of compassion, courage and committment.
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Episode 12 Caring for Your Child
06/12/2024
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. Kristen shared with us how she used social media and her network of friends and colleagues to help navigate through this journey. Kristen talked about the search for the right doctor, moving across the country to get treatments, and facing the emotional and psychological strains that are associated with it. How she and her husband balanced caring for their daughter and trying to keep the house going, life moving and self care. There are so many facets to the life of a caregiver, and these can be multiplied when the one you are caring for is your child.
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Episode 11 Communicating with Family and Friends
05/29/2024
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 explain this to their young children. That thoughtful consideration is necessary, when we talk about the various ways and directions communication can take place within the circle of family and friends. Each communication contact point could have, and very likely does have, it own nuances and forms. It takes thoughful consideration to formulate what you want to say, and how you're going to say it. Each "audience" may have different needs and levels of understanding,. This is especially true when the audience is children. Take your time, discuss with your loved one how much to share, to whom you want to share, and in what form to share.
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Episode 10 Communicating with Health Care Providers
05/15/2024
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 to proces or even hear what is being spoken at a doctors appointment. Be prepared before you go to the appointment, with questions or observations you want to share. Take notes during the visit, or even record it on yu rphone, and play it back later. Asking for second opinions is routine, and no one will be offended if you ask for another opinion, particularly if you're dealing with rare forms of cancer. There is no one way the 'the right way', your're boudn to make a few mistakes along the way. But they are recoverable. Just do the best you can and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
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Episode 9.. Communicating with Your Loved One
05/01/2024
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 Fran dive into the deep end of the pool and get right to what can be the most challenging communication- with your loved one, including facing those difficult conversations, dealing with emotions, and non-verbal communication.
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Episode 8 Nutrition...Food for Thought
04/17/2024
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 eating, how you're eating in the context of self-care. But also for your loved one. The good news is that this doesn't have to be stressful. You can use nutrition and food to help reduce stress and keep yourself going strong. In this episode, John and Fran talk with Toni Marinucci, a certified dietitian, author and speaker about how to approach food and nutrition in the sometimes chaotic world of caregiving.
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Episode 7 Music To My Ears
04/03/2024
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 life threatrening illness can have on a person, and their caregiver. We all know, almost intuitively that music can be soothing, such as a baby's lullaby, or evoke strong emotions, as your favorite song. Think of the many movie soundtracks that amplify and enhance the movie experience through music. But did you know that music, as a formal therapeutic agent, and the use of music in a therapeutic setting has been around for over 100 years?,] It dates back to treatments for soldiers returning from the first world war with physical and psychological trauma. Give a listen, you may never hear your favorite song in quite the same way again.
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Episode 6 Caregiver as Collaborator
03/20/2024
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 Nurse, Oncology Navigator and famiy caregiver. We talk about how the professional caregivers view the role and significance of the family caregiver. Listen as Emily gives some practical advice, as well as insights into the professional/family caregiver relationship. We are partners and collaborators with a common objective- the well being of our loved one.
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Episode 5 Self Care is not a four Letter word
03/06/2024
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. It is necessary and not a selfish act to find moments to take breath and recharge.
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Episode 4 Psycho-oncology...what the heck is that?
01/25/2024
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 treatments, can impact a person's emotional and psychological state. As caregivers, its important that we recognize that there are biological processes going on that can manifest themselves in behaviors and emotions in our loved ones. While this is such an important element to navigating the disease and treatment, it is still, unfortunately, not widely recognized as such within the medical community. Listen to John talk through his experiences and Fran provide a comprehensive description of what is going in on our loved one's body, how psycho-oncology can help.
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Episode 3 In Case of Emergency.....
12/20/2023
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 is what to do in the event of an emergency such as fire, earthquake, flood, hurricane or other natural disasters. In particular, what we as caregivers, need to know and do during an emergency. The good news is we can be prepared, and there are resources readily available in our own communities that have the knowledge, training and expertise to help us prepare. Right in our local community, we can tap those resources to give us knowledge and training to be prepared for an emergency, and in particular helping our loved one. Your local fire department is able to help you assess your home environment and advise on steps you can take to be prepared. There are many aspects to caregiving we are not prepared for when we take on the role. But here is a case where we can be prepared, and get expert advise on just how to do it. In this episode, Fran and John interview Josh Leith, the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Program Manager or the Newport Beach Fire Department. Josh provides valuable and practical information on steps we can take as caregivers, to be sure our loved ones are safe in the event of an emergency. We invite you to listen, and reach out to your local fire department for specific assistance in your situation.
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Episode 2 Breathe
01/24/2024
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 about what happens next… Once you hear the diagnosis and have digested the news, as unreal as it feels, you start thinking about what happens next. There is so much to navigate as you start on this journey, and so many strangers to trust. Understanding the results of the scans and test, how to find an oncologist? how to know you have the right one? surgeons, radiation, chemotherapy, infusion centers. A whole new vocabulary enters your being, at a time when life feels scary and out of control. We find ourselves often times making these decisions by a gut feeling. Did you connect with the medical team, did they give you enough information, did you feel as if they listened to your loved one as an individual, and not just a number, are there friends or neighbors who have had contact with these medical people, know of them? After all we are trusting them with the life of the person we love and adore. Feeling comfortable and assured that these professionals are not only competent, but on target and successful with their treatments is monumental in our ability, and our loved ones ability to move forward with very difficult and demanding treatments and life altering challenges. Sometimes to our detriment, and sometimes we get a good eduaction and reality check from Google. Google is usually the first place people run to hard to wanting to desperately gain some understanding about what is happening. As we said, sometimes the education is good and sometimes it’s detrimental. That’s where a medical team whom you trust comes into play. Their experience and knowledge is golden. There’s no question this can be overwhelming. You’re thrown into the most important role of your life, and so inadequately prepared for it. But the good news is you’re not alone. Literally millions of us have been down this path before you. There is path to follow and tested methods. Just take a moment, take a breathe and put one foot in front of the other. We are here for you!
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Episode 1 The Hinge
12/26/2023
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, caregiver and cancer survivor. We are part of a team that created a support group for family caregivers to provide them a forum to be heard, get support and encouragement, and to assist them in navigating the caregiver journey. We created this podcast to share our experiences and knowledge in an easily accessible manner. We are not medical professionals. We cannot give you clinical advice or suggestions, those are best directed to your health care practitioner. We are here to offer a friendly voice, the benefit of our experiences and remind you there is a path forward through the caregiving journey. We are your Caregiver Companions. Let us join with you on your journey.
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