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 channel that energy. Today they are amazing advocates for cancer patients, caregivers, and families of cancer patients. Theirs is truly an inspirational story for all caregivers.

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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 threatening illness. Her instrument of choice: The Mountain Dulcimer. The sweet and soulfull voice of a mountain dulcimer brings soothing, calm and peace to anyone hearing it, or playing it.

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.

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.

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 incorporated into existing programs and policies. While most of the discussion surrounded itself with programs at the national level, its apparent advocacy and resources at the local level may be the fastest and best way to gain attention and get services needed for caregivers. There is a caregiver crisis around the world, and small steps taken at the local level may be the best way to close the gap between caregivers' needs and resoources available to them.

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 prepared to take on. The gap between caregiver support needs, and resources available is widening. In today's episode, John and Fran talk about the state of caregiving, and of caregivers in the United States. Our next episode will focus on policies and programs outside teh United States.

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 grueling, physically and emotionally exhausting. But there is help out there. Just as you surround your patient with total care, there are others, in those outer rings of the concentric circles, that are there to support you. To provide a hand with tasks, or perhaps just a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen. It can be a family member, a friend, a church group, a caregiver support group. But as the caregiver, you have to raise your eyes from the immediate duties and see and seek the help.

If you are a friend, spouse, partner, neighbor of a caregiver, you are in one of those concentric circles. You can lend support, even in the smallest ways to lighten the load of the caregiver. Be sensitive to their needs, be aware of the daily duties that acumulate and ca weigh heavily on a caregiver. Its a long road on the caregiver journey. Even the smallest respite can go along way.

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 the center, other rings emerge, such as the spouse or partner of the caregiver. Then family members , children or siblings could be in the next ring. The next may be friends or neighbors, then support groups or church community. The circles can go on indefinitely, depending on one's social network. In this episode, Fran and John speak with two women who are the partner and spouse of the primary family caregiver. They are in that second ring, in a role to support and encourage their loved one who is the primary caregiver. They describe for us, the challenges and opportunties to provide support to their partner. In addition, Lori and Patty are close long time friends, and have been able to provide support, encouragement and advice to one another as they too navigate caregiving.