Bringing
Attention to the Challenges of Caring for Those with Blood Cancer & Finding
Solutions to Ease the Emotional Toll on Caregivers & Patients
Celebrated
every November, National Family Caregivers Month is a time to recognize
and honor caregivers across the US. In astudy by the National Alliance
for Caregiving, about 50% of 111 cancer caregivers reported feeling “highly
stressed” due to the intense and demanding nature of caregiving, and there is
growing evidence this could potentially affect the mental health of the patients
as well.
In particular, the mental health of patients
with blood cancer, including those living with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
and their caregivers, can be impacted due to the physical, emotional and social
effects of the disease.
CLL is the most common leukemia in
adults. It's a type of cancer that starts in cells that become
certain white blood cells (called lymphocytes)
in the bone marrow.The cancer (leukemia) cells start in the bone
marrow but then go into the blood.
As with other illnesses, COVID-19
has exacerbated the mental health impact of blood cancer on patients, as well
as placing an added strain on caregivers. In a recent survey of 100 patients
with blood cancer, 96% of patients reported their blood cancer has impacted
their mental health since the start of the pandemic in 2020, and 72% of patients
said they rely most on their family members to provide them with emotional
support for their blood cancer.
Recently, New Age Mama was able to interview Dr. Ken Tiller, a hematologist and oncologist at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. The doctordiscusses the impact of blood
cancer, including CLL, on the mental and emotional health of both patients and
caregivers, and share resources to help meet this important need.
This interview was very eye opening, and Dr. Tiller's tips can be especially helpful during the holiday season when so many people are juggling responsibilities and still give their loved ones a holiday to remember.
Welcome back to Hope River in New York Times bestselling author Patricia Harman’s newest novel as midwife Patience Hester, along with her family and friends, face the challenges of the home front during World War II.
The women of Hope River trust midwife Patience Hester, whose skill in delivering babies is known for miles around. But though the Great Depression is behind them, troubles are not, for Europe is at war…and it can only be a matter of time before the U.S. enters the fray.
And while some are eager to join the fight, Patience’s husband, Daniel, is not. Daniel is a patriot—but he saw too much bloodshed during the First World War, and has vowed never to take up arms again.
His stance leaves Patience and their four children vulnerable—to the neighbors who might judge them, and to the government, who imprison Daniel for his beliefs.
Patience must support their family and fight for her husband’s release despite her own misgivings. And with need greater than ever, she must also keep her practice running during this tumultuous time…relying on generous friends, like Bitsy, who has returned to Hope River, stalwart neighbors, and her own indomitable strength to see them all through.
The Interview
How did you get started in midwifery? What drew you to that line of work?
I always felt that having a baby was more of a natural event than a medical event. I wanted to have my babies naturally and after I had my first one I began teaching childbirth classes. This was back in the commune days, (for more about that read my memoir, Arms Wide Open: A Midwife’s Journey). As a Lamaze teacher, I made a final home visit to one of my couples one March. During the evening, a snow storm came up and we couldn’t get home. Around midnight, the woman went in to labor and I had to deliver the baby. It was so beautiful and peaceful that I was hooked and soon became the person to call if you wanted a homebirth. (a few years later I went back to school and became a nurse-midwife with a masters degree so that I could be of help to more people)
What about your experience as a midwife led you to write about midwives?
The first book I wrote, The Blue Cotton Gown, a midwife’s memoir, was about my patients and the stories they told me in the privacy of the exam room. It was also about my personal life and what it was like working with my OB/Gyn husband, Tom. I wrote the book to honor the courage of the ordinary woman, but it turned out to also be an honest look at a midwife’s life. After that, I knew I had a niche. People are interested in midwives and they are great protagonists, brave, strong, gentle and kind.
Can you tell us a little about the setting of your books? Why focus on Appalachia?
I have lived in West Virginia for almost forty years. The people and the mountains are the backdrop of my life. Before we came here, I lived many other places, (California, Oregon, Washington, Connecticut, Minnesota, Ohio) and I could set my stories there, but I write what is familiar to me. (We do have a cottage on an island in the Ontario waters of Lake Erie, though, and one of my contemporary novels is set on a similar fictional island in Canada, The Runaway Midwife.) Readers have seen Patience, in The Hope River Series, go through so much. Is this latest book the end of her story or is there more on the way?
I’m working on another book about Patience and her African-American midwife partner, Bitsy, as we speak. This new book, is set in 1956, just before the Civil Rights Movement started in the U.S.A.
How has becoming a bestselling author influenced your writing journey?
When I started writing, I did it just for fun and to be creative. When my books became popular and I began getting letters from fans telling me how much they meant to them I knew I was reaching people in a meaningful way and felt I had a mission to teach about community, loving one another, accepting diversity, and not losing hope. The best review I ever got was only a few sentences. It said, “I loved your book. It made me laugh. It made me cry. I was inspired.” How great is that? Besides your connection as midwife, do you and Patience share any other qualities?
I tried to make Patience different from me. She is small, with wire rim glasses and long dark hair. I’m tall, lots older and have short silver hair, but basically she reacts as I react. She hates injustice. Wants peace. Loves flowers and babies and will defend with her life her children or any vulnerable person. What has been the most surprising thing in your transition from midwife to author?
The writing part of being an author is creative and fun. I didn’t know when I started that part of being an author, a necessary part, is promoting your books. I love talking to people and writing blogs is fun, but traveling takes a lot of time and then I don’t get to write as much.
A lot of people say having a book is like having a baby. As a midwife, mother, and author, how do you relate to that saying?
I have thought that exact thing many times. Writing a book, for me, is a 2 year pregnancy. Then at the end it’s like transition in labor. You just WANT IT TO BE OVER and you grunt it out. YAY! Only guess what? Your work is not over. You now have to take care of the book, diaper it…feed it…burp it…and love it.
PATRICIA HARMAN has spent over 30 years caring for women as a midwife, first as a lay-midwife, delivering babies in cabins and on communal farms in West Virginia, and later as a nurse-midwife on the faculty of Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, and West Virginia University. She lives near Morgantown, West Virginia, has three sons, and is the author of two acclaimed memoirs. Her first novel, “The Midwife of Hope River,” was successful around the world. “Once a Midwife” is the fourth book in the Hope River Series. For more information, please visit www.patriciaharman.com
The Giveaway
One lucky winner is going to receive a copy of Once a Midwife. To enter, just fill in the Giveaway Tools form below. This giveaway will end on 11/8/2018 Open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to the sponsor for offering this fantastic prize.
Timeless is quickly becoming one of my favorite new shows. I have always been obsessed with the idea of Time Travel. In addition, I love learning about history. This show gives you a good dose of sci-fi mixed with some real history, which makes for an exciting combination. In the show, a criminal steals a time machine in the hopes of changing history. An unlikely team that includes a scientist, a soldier, and a history professor are there to help correct the damage. The first episode was about the Hindenburg, and that is only the beginning of the historical events this team will try to preserve.
A few bloggers, including myself, were lucky enough to interview Abigail Spencer who plays Lucy, the history teacher. This mother of an eight-year-old boy is making headlines in her role, and it was exciting to get a chance to hear how she feels about the show and the character she portrays. She told us one of her favorite parts of the show is the fashion. It's lots of fun getting to dress up in clothing from a different decade or even a different century. She's hoping to get to shoot a scene in the 1940s since she was always inspired by that particular era, especially since Hollywood was just beginning to take off.
Of course, being an actor does come with some challenges. Her career forces her to spend a lot of time away from her son. Luckily, she is able to keep up with his school activities online on ClassDojo which is a program many of us moms were familiar with. Because of her son, Abigail is very selective about the roles she chooses, but she knew with Timeless she had a winner. It's a show packed with intrigue and action, plus you can actually learn something about the past. There's also a potential relationship between Lucy and Wyatt Logan which could certainly steam things up.
Here is a little bit about the next episode airing on Monday.
“The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln” airs Monday, October 10 at 10/9c on NBC
THE TEAM CAN SAVE THE LIFE OF ONE OF HISTORY’S GREATEST MEN.
Lucy (Abigail Spencer), Wyatt (Matt Lanter), and Rufus (Malcolm Barrett) chase terrorist Garcia Flynn (Goran Višnjić) to the night of Lincoln’s assassination, where they’re horrified to learn that Flynn’s linked up with history’s most notorious assassin, John Wilkes Booth (guest star Kelly Blatz). Putting aside a tragedy of her own, Lucy speculates that Flynn intends to send the fragile nation into chaos by making a bad thing worse, and a debate rages among the team: should they alter history if it means changing it for the better? Also starring Paterson Joseph, Sakina Jaffrey and Claudia Doumit. Guest starring Neal Bledsoe, Michael Krebs, Terry Lewis and Lucia Frangione.
"Timeless" airs Mondays 10/9c on NBC. Make sure you don't miss the next episode!
This post was sponsored by the Role Mommy Writer's Network.
Dr. Ken is a hilarious multi-cultural sitcom that centers around a zany doctor and his family. What makes the show truly unique is that it's inspired by actual events. Dr. Ken is technically playing himself. Though these days he's focused on his acting career, he is an actual MD and so is his real-life wife! And not only is he the star of the show, he's also the co-creator and producer! I actually learned lots of interesting things about Dr. Ken this week. A few bloggers, including myself, had the pleasure of interviewing the comedian. We learned fun facts about Dr. Ken and his show.
One of the first things Dr. Ken was asked was how he got into acting. He told us that back in high-school, he did his first comedy act by singing "Three Times a Lady" in a talent show. He also did a little spoof on a body building act. Though he loved acting from an early age, he wasn't sure he would make it, so he still went on to pursue his medical degree. He even told us that, "One should always be in student mode." But his love of acting never faded, and eventually he landed some stellar roles in films like the Hangover before starring in his own sitcom.
We also talked a little about his family life. His wife Tran is a breast cancer survivor, and he is the father of twin daughters, one of which will be in tomorrow night's episode. Zooey will be appearing as the next store neighbor, and may be stirring up some trouble!
About the new episode When a neighbor girl (guest star Zooey Jeong, Ken Jeong’s real-life daughter) stands outside the kitchen window staring at Albert, Molly and D.K. try to scare her off. Meanwhile, Ken is surprised when he learns that Pat, instead of him, is asked to emcee this year’s annual Welltopia banquet; and Clark and Damona debate relationship styles as it relates to their individual partners. You aren't going to want to miss this episode! Dr. Ken airs Fridays at 8:30 pm ET/7:30 pm Central on ABC.Be sure to tune in so you don't miss it.
Do
you know the difference between a cold and the flu? Or the best ways to
keep sickness from spreading once a family member becomes ill?
Pediatrician and mom
Dr. Tanya Altmann has tips to help prevent sickness this winter and even on
what families should have in the medicine cabinet to help treat and
relieve symptoms once they strike. Here are a few questions that Dr. Atlmann answered for our interview.
What exactly is a fever?
The
American Academy of Pediatrics states that a temperature reading of
100.4 degrees F or higher is generally considered a fever. This can
still
leave room for questions among parents, so I recommend my patients use
thermometers with a temperature guidance system to help them better
understand and diagnose a fever. The new Braun No touch + forehead
thermometer has a color coded temperature guidance
to help you understand the severity of your child’s fever. Depending on
the reading, the color of the thermometer’s display will change to
green, yellow or red. As a rule of thumb, any infant under 3 months of
age with any temperature reading of 100.4 or higher
should be evaluated by a medical professional.
How should a parent manage their child’s temperature once they have come down with one?
When
it comes to fevers, I’m often more concerned with the length of the
fever than the severity of the temperature. I recommend parents take
their
child to the pediatrician if a fever lasts more than 3-4 days, the
child looks very ill, is unusually lethargic, or has severe aches and
pain as it could be a sign of something more serious than a common cold.
This excludes newborns and infants; you should
always consult your doctor immediately when dealing with a newborn or
infant with a fever.
How does a No Touch thermometer measure temperature?
No
touch thermometers measure energy radiated from the forehead above the
temporal artery, a major artery of the head. The new Braun No touch +
forehead thermometer captures twice as much of this
energy to ensure you’re getting an accurate reading. Plus, you can also
use the traditional touch option on the thermometer to double check
your reading if you’re having doubts. I recommend it for parents who are
looking to switch to a no touch thermometer
but still have some reservations.
What is the difference between having a cold and having the flu?
Patients
often come into the office saying they have the flu when really they
just have a cold. The symptoms between a cold and flu are different and
it’s important to recognize them so you can treat your illness
effectively.
The
flu is much more severe than a cold and it tends to come on more
quickly. Cold symptoms are sore throat, runny nose, congestion,
sneezing and coughing, while the flu usually produces high
fever, chills, headaches, body aches and severe fatigue. If you think you or your child has the flu, call your pediatrician.
What is your most suggested prevention method for keeping out the flu?
I
swear by some tried and true methods of prevention during cold &
flu season. One that tops the list is washing hands. Parents should have
their kids
wash their hands every time they enter or leave the house and before
any meal. Germs are everywhere and children will touch anything.
Secondly, make sure everyone is getting enough sleep to help keep their
immune system strong.
My Thoughts
As a
mom of four children between two and thirteen, I think I've tried every
type of thermometer there is. The Braun No Touch & Forehead Thermometer is by far
my top choice, especially when dealing with toddlers or babies. All moms know
it's next to impossible to get little ones to sit still long enough for
us to hold a thermometer in their mouth or under their arm. I used to
use the type that you place in their ear, but I found those were very
inaccurate and painful for my son who often had ear infections. One time
I almost ran to the emergency room because it told me my child had a
106 fever, but when I tried it again, it was only 99 degrees. Wild
results like that were the norm with this type of unit.
The
No Touch & Forehead Thermometer is simple to use and very accurate. You simply hold it against their forehead or just above it. There is so discomfort, so there is no
squirming. You can even use it while your child is sleeping without disturbing
them. There are no annoying little plastic covers required and it works
just as well on older children and adults as it does on babies. The temperature is
displayed on a large glowing screen that is easy to read, even in the
dark, and comes up in different colors depending on the severity of the fever. It runs using two AA batteries, and these are included in the package. It provides quick and accurate results every
time, and I'm very happy with it.
The Giveaway
One lucky winner is going to receive a Braun No Touch & Forehead Thermometer. To
enter just fill out the giveaway tools form below. Open to
the US only. Giveaway will end 2/25/15. The
winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply.
Thanks again to Braun for offering this fantastic prize.
Small
town girl, Molly Bennett, moves to Los Angeles where she becomes an
outsider while attending Beverly Hills High School. It seems life cannot
be any more dreadful. Then one day after school, something magical
happens. On a secluded hike in the Hollywood Hills, Molly chases her
disobedient mutt and only friend into a hidden cavern. She stumbles upon
a strange glimmering gateway that transports her to Arkana, a planet
that is the cradle of an advanced human race. There, teenagers navigate
amazing flying vehicles, compete in hazardous games, and some even
possess supernatural powers.
While
Molly tries to wrap her mind around this unbelievable discovery, she
meets the alluring and mysterious Victor Sorren. He is a Sentinel
Apprentice, whose hatred toward people from Earth seems irreversible.
Yet every time Victor unpredictably saves Molly's life, his heart draws
closer to hers, no matter how much he tries to fight against it.
It
further complicates things that their growing friendship is strictly
forbidden. Earth people are prohibited in Arkana, yet Molly continues to
cross through the portal to Arkana to see Victor. Torn between their
double lives, they go down a dangerous path, from where there is no
return and multiple endings.
A.B.Whelan is a Hungarian born, American writer. She currently lives with her husband and two children in Southern California.
While growing up in an Eastern European family, she had a chance to
travel Europe. Later as an adult, she visited Africa and the Middle East
and lived in Ecuador and in Crete.
I have done a couple, but I guess the craziest one was when my
husband asked me to move with him to Ecuador and I said yes. We’d been
dating only for three months when the American base closed in Hungary
and he went to work in Kuwait. After a three-month, long-distance
relationship he quit his job and came back for me. In the next month I
sold both of my retail stores, quit my job as a marketing director at a
shopping mall, bid farewell to my family and friends, and left my
country with him. We are still married with two beautiful children. What impact does a bad review have on you?
I don’t pay much
attention to one-star reviews. Most of the time the reviewer is just
jealous and hateful, probably because he/she never had the discipline or
talent to write a book, and bringing down those who have gives her some
sort of satisfaction. My favorites are the ones who criticize my
grammar in my 117,000-word novel (which by the way was edited by an
English professor), while she herself can’t even write a short review
without errors. However, I analyze all the other constructive reviews
and try to learn from them and get better.
How would you describe your protagonist?
Molly is
well-grounded, kind, shy, and falls in love too fast; nevertheless, when
the situation calls for physical and mental strength she doesn’t
disappoint.
What is your dream for yourself as an author?
I
would love to become traditionally published by a major publishing
company. The thought of walking into a Barnes & Noble bookstore and
seeing my book in someone’s shopping basket is very pleasing to me. Do you believe in love at first sight?
I
believe in instant, strong attraction between two people and, if the
relationship works out, the couple will call it love at first sight; if
it doesn’t work out they’ll call it a moment of insanity.
Do you have a favorite author? Why is he or she your favorite author?
I
love J.K.Rowling for her incomparable imagination, David Gemmell for
his characters and world building, Charlotte Bronte for her
extraordinary grasp of the English language.
What inspired you to write Fields of Elysium?
I’ve
always been fascinated by the universe, the possibility of life on
other planets, God’s existence; but sitting with my husband on our
balcony in Crete and staring at the night sky triggered a few ideas. I
imagined a peaceful world where there are no wars and murders, and what
would happen to that world if people from Earth ever found it. If you could have only one wish, what would it be?
A magic wand.
What was your most embarrassing moment in life?
I had a few of those, too. J The
one I like to tell and laugh about is when our first day in Ecuador (my
husband and I lived there for six months), I locked myself out of a
condo wearing only a bra and my hubby’s boxer shorts. The building
security guy took me to a family for help. The wife drove me through the
scariest and poorest part of the town to fetch a locksmith, but because
I didn’t speak Spanish, I had no idea what was going on. At some point I
thought I was going to be sold into prostitution. By the time we got
back to the condo my husband’s friend came to check on me. When I stood
in front of all those people in my underwear, I just wanted to die of
embarrassment. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
Into space. If you could go back in time and change something in your past what would it be and why?
I
would go back to when I was about ten years old so I could start
keeping a diary. I’d pay anything now to read my younger self’s
thoughts.
Now that you read criticisms about your work, do you wish you could rewrite it and start over or not and why?
The
story seemed to please and I’m very satisfied with it, so, no, I
wouldn’t rewrite it; however, I can’t stop revising my writing. I do it
over and over again. Change a word or delete a sentence here and there.
Can readers expect more books from you in the future?
Valley of Darkness Part 1 (Fields of Elysium, #2) will be published in May and Part 2 later in the summer. And the story will continue with two more volumes: City of Shame and Return to Innocence. I’m also writing a new YA novel, This Diary Belongs To Estee Morgan. And I have about ten more book ideas waiting for their turn.
