Caregivers SHARE Podcast Gives Solace, Connection

When your child goes through a serious illness, the last thing you think about is yourself. It feels selfish to take time for yourself—whether it’s eating, sleeping, showering, or getting emotional support from others.

When my child was in the ICU, I rarely left the room for food, relying on others to bring it to me. I didn’t even consider the option of leaving my son to attend a caregiver support group.

This is why the Caregivers SHARE podcast is so important. This podcast supports caregivers when and where they need it. Days at the hospital are busy, and sometimes the only time to think or reflect is late in the evening when your child is asleep. And sometimes at night you cannot sleep, with fears and concerns looming bigger than in the daylight.

I would have loved to have been able to listen to a podcast at those times. Now, caregivers can hear the stories of others and know that what they feel is normal. They can listen and feel peace that they are not alone. Supporters can also listen in and gain understanding and empathy.

Taking part in Caregivers SHARE

Taking part in this podcast was a labor of love. Revisiting tough memories and the emotions they invoked was difficult. But it was also therapeutic.

I felt vulnerable but supported throughout the entire process. The staff leading the podcast made sure that we all worked together as a team. They were there for me when I shared some of my weakest moments and greatest fears.

Sharing my words through the podcast was empowering. Bringing my story to light took away some of the darkness of the journey. By telling my story out loud, I realized that there were moments of great love and lightness in it.

My hope is for you to see that if I can do it—if my son can make it through a tough treatment and survive—then you can do it, too.

My message for caregivers

As part of the podcast, I wanted to give a message of hope and presence. It is overwhelming to receive your child’s life-altering diagnosis. You need to know that it is doable, one step at a time.

It is like the old saying, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

Be there with your child as they go through a scan or a round of treatment. Take it one breath at a time. It is amazing how just a couple of deep breaths can help calm your nerves and ground you for the next moment.

Know that it will not always be this way. Whatever your child is going through right now, whatever you are feeling right now, it will not be the same 2 minutes from now or 2 years from now. You can do this.

Take time for you

I know everyone says it, but it’s true. Do not forget to take care of yourself. Try to eat healthily, move, and sleep. Accept and ask for help when needed.

One of my greatest fears during my child’s treatment was getting sick myself and not being able to be in the room with him. To be there for him, I ate well, did yoga, watched mindless TV, slept when I could, and washed my hands religiously, among other acts of self-care.

My ability to care for my child was directly related to the care I did for myself. Self-care is an integral part of helping your child through treatment.

How my life has changed

Being a caregiver of a child who has battled cancer 3 times has changed my life. I will forever walk through life as a protective parent and with a knot in my stomach waiting for another blow to come. I have seen death come and dance with my child. I have seen life leave his eyes. And I have seen him fight like a warrior to come back.

You might think it is horrible to have gone through all of this. It was, don’t get me wrong. But as crazy as it sounds, cancer gave me a gift. I will never take another day for granted. I will love harder. I will find joy in the mundane and trivial. I will cherish those around me now. As I have learned, life can change in an instant.