The Caregiver Cup Podcast

Send Cathy a text:) You may need to step up your organization skills now that you are a caregiver.   As caregivers, we want to be there for our loved ones.  We do our best to schedule all the appointments and their needs the best we can.    As caregivers we also feel that our priorities should be last or are not as important as our loved ones.  You and I may also feel torn - we have major projects...

Send Cathy a text:) Imagine what it would feel like if you had less stress and guilt?  And you embraced more joy and gratitude? Well I want to share 3 shifts that I have done consistently to keep my stress levels down.  I hope when you listen to these today you can find one of these helpful to use right away or it sparks another idea to try. The mistake I see so many caregiver make is filling up t...

Send Cathy a text:) Caregiver stress and overwhelm is inevitable and the key is to keep it at a low level so it doesn't affect your health, performance or the care you give your loved one.    You may become so used to the stresses and pressure, that you just accept them.  But my question is are you accepting the stresses, tasks, or things coming at you? The biggest mistakes I see other caregi...

Send Cathy a text:) How hard is it to sit and wait.  I have done it so many times and you would think it would get easier and I should have this action mastered.  But each time is different.  Each time is unique and feels different.   Do you agree? I’m going to call this the “sit and wait syndrome”.   It’s when you have to wait on test results,  wait on further symptoms.  Wait on healing.  Wait to...

Send Cathy a text:) In today’s caregiver life, fear and uncertainty looks so different to you and I.   What is caregiver fear and uncertainty? Uncertainty is the inability to know what will happen in the future. Your loved one’s disease and treatment can be scary and unpredictable. Feelings of fear and uncertainty among caregivers are normal. But, they can become a problem if you feel you have no...

Send Cathy a text:) Last year at this time, I released my first episode I had no idea what to expect when  i started this back on October 20, 2020.  All I know is that I had many experiences, lessons learned and that I wanted to share my voice through a podcasting platform.   I found a great course through Krystal Proffitt, called Proffitt Podcasting.  If you are ever thinking of podcasting, here&...

Send Cathy a text:) How often have you heard the words:  Grant yourself grace.   Cut yourself some slack. It’s ok to love yourself. Being kind to yourself when you dropped the ball on something you normally would have done easily Being kind to yourself even if you neglected your own self-care Being courteous to your loved one and letting go of the  frustrations knowing you're doing the best y...

Send Cathy a text:) This episode is one that makes me uncomfortable to talk about but is also a topic that we as caregivers experience.    The reduction of intimacy and a sexual relationship is a major part of the grief and sense of loss that caregivers experience when they are providing necessary care to a spouse. ... Caregiving changes roles and expectations and the emotional attachment that was...

Send Cathy a text:) Caregiving can be compared to the winter season.  The first snowfall of the season feels new.  You get excited and are looking out the window.  There is something beautiful about the white precipitation covering the treats, ground and roof tops.  You put on the boots, new sweaters, scarves and coats.   Even shoveling the driveway and sidewalks are fun.  Kids are outside. The do...

Send Cathy a text:)   Do you have a routine that works for you? A morning ritual, routine or habit can be key in reducing or releasing overwhelm.  That stress and anxiety you get in this very difficult caregiving journey.   The goal of your morning habit varies depending on you.   It varies depending on your caregiving season.  But you need to think of the benefits it can do for you.     Why morni...

Send Cathy a text:) A light bulb moment happened between our my wedding anniversary celebration and today, that I want to share with you.  You know I'm all about sharing my challenges, struggles and experiences with you in hopes that it will help you.  As you are listening to this and you have more insights, definitely, DM me on Instagram @cathylynnvan or message me on on The Caregiver Cup Fa...

Send Cathy a text:) I am very excited to share an interview I had recently with TJ Condon who has a remarkable story.  She was a caregiver to her in-laws, first, then to her husband through his liver transplant and now to her father with bladder cancer.   She also had her own diagnosis of thyroid cancer.  During all of this, she continued working full-time and wrote the book, Some Assembly Require...

Send Cathy a text:) Reality is...  You are only one person.  You are human.  You are going through that cancer with your loved one too   Or that kidney disease.  Or that dementia.  Or that - you will in the blank.   Your pain may not be seen.  You might not have that diagnosis.  But you do have your own things going on behind the curtain.   Whatever your situation, it is important to remember that...

Send Cathy a text:) Kandis Draw became a caregiver suddenly in 2011 when her mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian cancer and also had to take care of her younger siblings.  She was her mom's primary caregiver for 3.5 years.   Through her challenges and struggles she found community, resources and courage.  Kandis has learned strength, resilience and how to recover trauma that caregiving can...

Send Cathy a text:) Have you ever wanted to quit?  You just want to walk away.  You had enough.  You know it’s not healthy for you, but you you know you can’t leave. So many of us have these feelings which stop us from having a joyful life.  It prevents us from having what can be a beautiful, amazing caregiver life. You feel like you have to stay where you are at  and you feel like this hamster on...

Send Cathy a text:) I was interviewed by Esther Mzbabazi from The ReThinking Caregiving Podcast.  Esther is an oncology nurse, entrepreneur helping caregivers learn more about this world of caregiving and a friend from Norway,  I met about a year ago in B School. She introduces her podcast with this intro:   A colon cancer diagnosis to a spouse is devastating, facing it without a guide can be over...

Send Cathy a text:) Listen to the 7 key findings that I used to find more caregiver joy. 1.  DO - Do what’s best for you.      Your loved one’s care and journey is unique and personal.    Your situation is your own and you know what’s best for you and your loved one.  Do you.  Do it the best way you can.  Do what’s right.  Do what you feel you can do.  Do find your team.    Do:  you fill in the bl...

Send Cathy a text:)   In today’s episode I want to share a recording of a Live session I did with The Caregiver Cup Community.   I shared an article I found in caregiver.com by Mary Damiano  As you listen to this episode today, I want you to think about two things What can you do to put yourself first - carving out just 30 minutes each day can make huge changes in your energy.   What motivates you...

Send Cathy a text:) I'm now 4 years into my caregiving journey.  As I look back I see 4 stages I went through and want to share these with you:   Stage 1: THE NEW STAGE.   The initial news fills you with shock, disbelief and all those emotions Then you jump in telling yourself I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll figure it out Here’s where I became obsessed with google - searching anything and eve...

Send Cathy a text:) Welcome To The Caregiver Cup Podcast.   My name is Cathy VandenHeuvel.   I’m so glad you found this podcast.  As a caregiver myself, I know how important it is to find a community that understands all the challenges of juggling all the caregiving responsibilities, how isolated you can feel,  and how stress and burnout can affect your mind and body.  But also know how rewarding...

Send Cathy a text:) What do you do when you are in a funk, super overstressed, and are stuck in this bad space?  Affirmations are a self-help strategy used to prompt self-confidence and belief in your own abilities.  They're positive statements that can help you to challenge and overcome self-sabotaging  and negative thoughts. When you repeat them often, and believe in them, you can start to...

Send Cathy a text:) When we are going through change / hard seasons,  you need that purpose to get you out of bed on those hard days.   Need a reason  You need a why.   What’s going to motivate you more.  It most likely is not work, caregiving and netflix.   You need something that’s going to keep you alive  There are three phases of our caregiver normal:     1st phase of being a new caregiver - t...

Send Cathy a text:) Gratitude is a gift — and gratitude changes everything. When we allow ourselves to look critically at our lives through the lens of gratitude, and to focus on the many reasons we have to be grateful, life gets better. ... A focus on gratitude reduces stress and increases levels of contentment. It truly is life-changing. Resilient people proactively cultivate positive emotions l...

Send Cathy a text:) You're a busy woman caregiver who feels pressured to be able to do it all,  juggling your career, family, caregiving, managing the household and more. Superwoman Syndrome is exactly what it says it is - trying to be Superwoman. And more often than not, you're feeling overworked, overwhelmed and overly committed. You're also exhausted, anxious and stressed.  But d...

Send Cathy a text:) Lisa Allarid was faced with huge adversity and a new normal  in December of 2018 when her husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease.  She's a mom of 4 and works in the finance industry.  She had to learn about kidney disease, nutrition, and how the donor system works.   Lisa also shares how she stopped taking care of herself, going out with friends and real...