Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Natalie shares that Jason is eating well and making progress, including being able to walk for longer distances. She also reflects on the kindness of strangers who have offered their support and the importance of gratitude in difficult times. Natalie talks about the importance of self-awareness and strategies to reduce stress during a difficult time. She acknowledges her imperfections as a caregiv...

Natalie reports that Jason had a good day with no major issues to report. They started the day expressing gratitude to God, and Jason slept better and completed mouth exercises. They also had a meeting with a nutritionist and enjoyed some good food. However, Jason's neck is redder from radiation, and he still struggles with smells and taste. On the positive side, the medications are working f...

Growing up as a military brat, Michele Houck has experienced numerous moves across the country, forming a tight-knit family tribe wherever they went. From being a barrel racer to a beauty queen, she has embraced life's challenges and reinvented herself multiple times. Michele's caregiving journey began at 16 when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since then, she has been the p...

Natalie reports that Jason has lost almost 10 pounds in the last seven days due to insufficient calories, leading to nausea and exhaustion. Dr. Dunn has prescribed three additional medications to help manage the nausea. On a positive note, the cancer is responding well to treatment, and radiation treatment may end on June 20. They are also moving to a new apartment on the 14th floor to avoid noise...

 This one is short and reflects on a difficult day where Jason was struggling with nausea and lack of sleep. Natalie discusses the challenges of being a caregiver on such days and emphasizes that it's okay to have a tough day and hope for a better tomorrow. She also acknowledges that cancer and other chronic illnesses are difficult to deal with and can cause the patient and caregiver misery....

Natalie discusses the challenges of waiting for appointments, tests, and treatments while also managing symptoms and food intake. Despite these difficulties, she emphasizes the importance of finding silver linings and experiencing joy in life, even during tough times. Natalie shares a heartwarming story about a friend's mother who made homemade wonton soup for them, which was comforting durin...

In this episode, Jason had his radiation treatment at the proton center. While he was getting his treatment, I listened to some of our favorite soft rock love songs from the 70s and 80s and sang along. Afterward, we went for hydration, which involved drinking two liters of fluids to keep Jason's kidneys functioning properly. We then had an MRI and a delicious lunch before heading home. Next w...

In entry 13, dated June 2, 2022, Natalie shares her and Jason's experiences on day three of their cancer treatments. The entry is titled "Seriously, That's a Side Effect?" because Jason endures a surprising side effect—persistent hiccups. Despite medication to help with Jason's nausea, it remains intense, and he struggles to eat. Natalie spends the day running errands, buy...

In today's entry, Natalie discusses her journey with Jason as they begin cancer treatment. They have been together for 17 and a half years and married on October 10, 2015. Despite previous health challenges, they now face throat cancer together. It is day two of their mission to fight cancer, and Jason is experiencing symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to taste. Natalie does her best to...

Today, Natalie shares entry 11 from May 31, 2022, titled "Day One of Treatment." It was a long day for her, starting at 7 am with chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Despite the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion, Natalie made it through with gratitude and support from everyone around her. She completed the first of 15 radiation treatments and the first of four chemotherapy day...

In this entry, Natalie shares their Memorial weekend adventures in New York City. On May 30th, the day before Jason's treatment begins, they explore various attractions like St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, and Times Square. They also reconnect with Natalie's college roommate, Susan, who acts as their tour guide. Both Natalie and Jason feel anxious about the upcoming tre...

Bill Cohen, a dedicated caregiver with a decade of experience under his belt, shares his journey of caring for his late mother, Sheila. He's seen the challenges of being a male caregiver and understands the unique way men approach the role. As the owner of Cohen Caregiving Support Consultants, Bill has turned his personal experience into a passion-driven career, helping others navigate the co...

In entry nine from May 27, 2022, Natalie shares their experience practicing the route to Jason's radiation treatment sessions at the New York Proton Center using the NYC Metro. Despite initial confusion and concerns about the neighborhood, they successfully navigate the subway system. However, after discussing with a security guard at the proton center, they decide to use Uber for transportat...

In this quick continuation entry for May 26, Natalie shares more photos of their New York City experiences and discusses Jason's newfound interest in cancer awareness shirts. They discover a shirt with a vivid description of fighting cancer, which they plan to purchase. Despite some of the shirts being quite expressive, Natalie supports Jason's enthusiasm for them. She encourages listene...

In entry eight of the Diary of a Caregiver series, dated May 26th, 2022, Natalie shares their adventures in New York City. They have been busy with doctor's appointments and getting acclimated to their new surroundings. Natalie goes on a grocery shopping trip, where she marvels at the organization of Morton Williams store and befriends the staff. She also visits Trader Joe's with Jason,...

In entry seven of the Diary of a Caregiver series, Natalie shares their experience on May 24, 2022, as they arrive in New York City for Jason's cancer treatment. They had an early start, facing challenges like heavy rain and flooding in their basement. Despite the hurdles, they successfully reached New York and settled into their apartment at the AKA Residences, which partners with Memorial S...

In entry six of the Diary of a Caregiver series on the Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver podcast, Natalie shares her thoughts on May 23, 2022, the night before their move to New York City for Jason's cancer treatment. They are both experiencing a mix of emotions, but they remain hopeful and trust in God. Natalie's sister Emily has come to take care of their dogs, which was an answered...

Natalie shares an update on Jason's cancer journey through her caringbridge.com entry. They plan to move to New York City on May 24th for Jason's radiation treatment, which will start around June 2nd. They found a place to live with amenities and a shuttle to MSK. Natalie encourages Jason to eat all his favorite foods before losing his sense of taste due to treatment. She asks for contin...

Becky and Logan Pickels faced a series of unexpected challenges when their lives took a turn for the worse. The couple found themselves in a whirlwind of health issues, with Logan being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and their daughter Lexi suffering from a rare autoimmune disorder called PANDAS. Amid it all, they struggled to maintain a sense of normalcy for their family, pushing through physi...

In this episode of "Diary of a Caregiver," Natalie shares her experiences on caringbridge.com about her husband Jason's cancer treatment journey. They complete pre-treatment testing and learn about the side effects of radiation. Natalie is grateful for the better treatment options at their chosen facility, MSK, which they believe is an answered prayer. Natalie reflects on the univer...

Welcome back to Diary of a Caregiver! Today we pick up with my May 4th journal entry, "No Scan Left Behind," where we share our busy day at Memorial Sloan Kettering, 30 days since our first visit. Jason underwent tests like EKG, PET scan, audiology screen, two MRIs, and a blood draw (10 vials, can you believe it?). The good news is that his heart and hearing are in great shape, but now h...

In this episode, I'll tell you about Jason's first-ever experience on an Amtrak train and how it compares to flying. Spoiler alert: we loved it! We'll discuss the pros and cons of train travel, including the stress-free environment, the spaciousness, and the beautiful views. Plus, I'll share our thoughts on the not-so-great aspects, like the Wi-Fi situation (or lack thereof) an...

 Natalie shares a new chapter from my Diary of a Caregiver series. In this series, I open my heart and share my journal entries from CaringBridge.org. I hope that by sharing these stories, we can support each other on this incredible caregiving journey. So, in our last episode, we talked about Jason's story. Today, we're diving into my journal entries from May 1st. These entries are all...

This series shares my journey as a caregiver, documented in my CaringBridge journal, which became a safe space for me to update friends and family, express my emotions, and find hope amid challenges. While these entries may have tears, laughter, and vulnerability, I've always tried to remain hopeful and find the silver linings in every situation. By focusing on the positive, I could be the be...

Join us for a special series for the month of June as Natalie reflects on her journal entries during Jason's treatment for cancer. This is a raw, unashamed, unafraid, and uncut short series that reveals what many caregivers go thru daily.  We hope that you will join us for this special series and be inspired by Natalie's courage. Together, we can create a stronger community of support! S...