In this episode of the Your Killer Life podcast, Tammey gives the microphone to her co-host, Griff Woodford who talks with guest Michael Baltierra in this special episode that is centered around the caregiver. Whether a cancer diagnosis, or any other long-term life altering disease, the caregiver is the patient’s key ally serving as a person of support and care. Often unassuming and occasionally ignored, we learn the firsthand the struggles, triumphs and needs of our unsung anchors. Griff and Mike share their caregiver stories, unique perspectives, and outline the pressures that are often felt by men as they address fear, emotion, stress and the often oppressive societal norms that are counter to the valid emotional needs and mental health of the caregiver. 

“…there's this big misconception, whether it's with the actual patient or the caregiver, that this is supposed to take a specific amount of time.” -Griff Woodford Click to tweet

“That's the time where you sit there and reflect, and you're wonder what is going on. How am I going to do some self-care? How can I take care of myself and where can I get the support that I need? Because a lot of people think, especially when you're a guy, oh, you should just suck it up. You know, and just put in some intestinal fortitude and just carry on with your day. “Dude you're there to set the example.” When in reality, the whole thing is you're actually crumbling and you're falling apart…” -Michael BaltierraClick to tweet

Topics in this Episode:

• Introduction
• Our caregiver Stories
• Male perspective and introspection
• Mission oriented mindset
• Caregiving and patient partnership
• Trained to limit emotion
• Caregiver resources for the workplace and finances and home
• The hard parts of caregiving
• Losing acquaintances and gaining friends
• The rewards of becoming stronger
• Becoming a resource for others
• Adapting to the “after”
• The healthcare experience may not be the same for everyone
• Signing off

Contact Information and Social Links:

• Website: yourkillerlife.com
• Email
• Instagram: instagram.com/yourkillerlife
• Facebook: facebook.com/yourkillerlife/
• YouTube: youtube.com/c/yourkillerlife

Guest Contact Information and Social Links:

• Website: mikebaltierra.com
• Email
• Instagram: instagram.com/mikebaltierraphoto
• Facebook: facebook.com/mikebaltierraphoto/
• YouTube Cancer Vlog Playlist: https://bit.ly/34VzaA8

Resources:

• Be a guest on the Your Killer Life Podcast
• Sponsor the Your Killer Life Podcast
• Book Tammey or Griff as a speaker or podcast guest
• Snag Your Killer Life Swag!
• Check out the Your Killer Life blog posts, or the original blog, Killer Left Boob 
• This podcast is professionally edited by Roth Media