By Andrew Esch, MD
If you have colorectal cancer, you know that your pain, symptoms, and the side effects of treatments can take a toll on your quality of life. Therefore, they can stop you from doing the things that are important to you. They can also lead to unwanted hospital stays. But palliative care can help. … Read More
On good days, you can find Paul in his house intently focused on one of his woodworking projects. It’s hard work, but it’s a labor of love.
“I’m not the type to sit still. I’m at my happiest when I’m working with my hands and creating something new,” says Paul.
The fact that Paul is able to get up and do woodwork is something even he couldn’t have imagined five years ago when he was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma—a rare cancerous tumor that grows in the bones or in the tissue around the bones. A tumor in his spine caused immense back pain, made worse by symptoms from chemotherapy, radiation, and several spinal surgeries. He couldn’t do even the smallest of tasks.
That’s when he was referred to palliative care. … Read More
The number of medical and patient support organizations actively recommending palliative care continues to grow for people living with serious illnesses, and for good reason: palliative care focuses on relieving the symptoms and stress of the illness, and the goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. … Read More
When Kelly—a central New Jersey woman in her early 30s—is asked what brings her joy, she doesn’t have to think very hard.
“It’s definitely being with my young son. He’s my world. His smile lights up my life,” says Kelly.
Since she was 12 years old, Kelly has faced an array of medical issues. Over the years, she has dealt with lupus, mitochondrial disease, a clot in her lung and main vein to the heart, and autonomic neuropathy. These issues have caused additional heart and bladder problems, as well as gastropareses, which affects the normal movement of muscles in the stomach. Kelly had done her best to deal with the chronic pain for nearly half her life, but in 2016, the issues became unbearable, and even the smallest task became an issue. … Read More
If you or a loved one is living with a serious illness and struggling with pain, stress or other symptoms, a referral to a palliative care team can help provide relief and improve your quality of life. While a doctor referral is usually necessary, here’s a place to start: the Palliative Care Provider Directory on GetPalliativeCare.org. The Provider Directory is designed to help you find and locate palliative care in your area, quickly and easily.
Listen and watch on-demand here.
Recorded: February 12, 2019 @ 1:30 ET
Featured Presenter:
Tara Liberman, DO
Northwell Health
Webinar Description:
Shortness of breath is one of the most common symptoms for people living with a serious illness. It can be caused by asthma, cancer, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), pneumonia, or other conditions. Struggling for air can be exhausting and frightening for you and for your caregivers. A palliative care team can help. Palliative care is available at any stage of your disease and the earlier you get it, the better. … Read More
If you or a loved one are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, you know you are facing a difficult road ahead. The disease begins with memory loss, confusion and trouble making decisions, and gets worse over time, eventually affecting basic control over the body. But with the help of a medical specialty called palliative care, there is a lot that can be done to make people living with dementia more comfortable and reduce distress.
If you are living with liver disease, you know that your illness can affect almost every part of your body and the way you feel emotionally. It’s a difficult road to travel and can be frightening for you and for your loved ones. Palliative care can help. … Read More
If you or someone you love is living with Parkinson’s disease, there are ways to improve your quality of life. While there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, there are medications and treatments that can reduce the symptoms. A medical specialty called palliative care can help.
For junior high sweethearts Darryl and Andrea Gladden, the needs of their three daughters and one son have always come before anything else.
“All we have ever wanted is for our kids to be able to do what brings them happiness,” says Darryl.
This need to support their children at every turn has been magnified over the years as all three of their daughters were diagnosed with lupus when each entered their teen years.
