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 primary caregiver for various family members, including her sister, father, and niece. Michele's life experiences have instilled in her the importance of family values and relationships, making her the perfect guest for today's episode.

As a young caregiver, Michele had to navigate the complex emotions of wanting her mother while providing care and support. In the quiet, intimate moments of caregiving, Michele found joy and happiness with her mother, a lesson she would carry throughout her life. Her story highlights the importance of family values and relationships as the foundation for caregiving and how these connections can be a source of strength and resilience in the face of adversity. With warmth and compassion, Michele's journey shows that love and support can make all the difference, even in the darkest hours.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Reinforce your caregiving base with deep insights into the role of family values and relationships.
• Decode the complex world of caregiving dynamics to enhance your relationships and support network.
• Find balance in managing expectations and acknowledging constraints in various caregiving situations.
• Develop a resilient mindset and harvest personal growth from the enriching caregiving experience.
• Investigate the double-edged sword of technology on the aspects of connection and disconnection in caregiving and society.

About Michele:

Michele Houck is a 25-year Marketing and Advertising veteran.  She’s a marketer who loves disrupting startups like Heart Start, Vonage, and Invisalign, household names like Intel and P&G, and innovative health & wellness solutions with WebMD.  She has a proven track record of success with global, entrepreneurial, and local brands that engage government, B2C, and B2B audiences. 

She is a curious-minded goofball who has been a military brat, a band geek, a barrel racer, a beauty queen, a bartender, a bouncer, a floral arranger, and a mountain climber. She is a very proud Aunt.

She started her caregiver roles at 16 with her mother's first breast cancer diagnosis in 1984. Over the last 5 years, she's been the primary caregiver for her mother, her sister, her special needs sister, AND her father, all of who passed due to different cancers. 

Connect with Michele:

Website
Twitter
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 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. Despite the difficult day, Natalie remains hopeful for a better tomorrow and signs off, leaving readers with this message.

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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 during a difficult time. Initially feeling guilty for experiencing happiness while her husband is undergoing cancer treatment, Natalie ultimately decides to prioritize her emotional well-being to support Jason better.

The episode encourages listeners to find joy in the little things and live fully, expressing gratitude for their relationships, health, and blessings. The message of hope inspires listeners to embrace positivity and happiness, even during challenging times.

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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 week is going to be even busier with more radiation treatments and a scan to check if Jason's cancer is responding. We're staying optimistic and hoping for the best possible outcome.

We're planning a quiet and restful weekend filled with snacks and Netflix tonight. It's important to take time for ourselves and recharge. Here's to a peaceful weekend ahead!

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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, buying specific food and drinks for Jason, and even working out to relieve stress. They both appreciate the immense kindness they have received from friends, family, and strangers, which has helped them through this challenging time.

Natalie's faith has grown stronger due to their journey, and she shares a message that comforted her: Joel Osteen's "Everything Serves His Plan." Although their experience has been difficult, Natalie remains grateful for the support and love they've received throughout their battle with cancer.

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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 support him, acknowledging her exhaustion but maintaining a positive attitude.

They visit New York Protons Center for radiation treatment and Memorial Sloan Kettering for chemotherapy. The excitement from the first day has worn off, making the process more prolonged and tiring.

Natalie continues to care for Jason, even going on a quest to find essential items and bottled water for him. Despite the challenges, they remain committed to supporting each other through this difficult time.

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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 days.

Natalie felt alone and overwhelmed during this journey, asking God, "Why me?" However, she realized she was exactly where she needed to be and found comfort in her faith. Jason's resilience and positive attitude helped put things into perspective. As they went through this process, they experienced kindness and generosity from everyone they met.

Chemo sessions included hydration, cisplatin administration, and further hydration to protect Jason's kidneys. Looking back, Natalie now understands that they were exactly where they were meant to be, leading her to share their story with all of you. Remember, our struggles always have a purpose, and we must keep moving forward. Stay tuned for Natalie's next update tomorrow.

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Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

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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 complex world of caregiving. He's also an active volunteer with the Alzheimer's Association and runs support groups for caregivers.

Along the way, Bill discovered the unique challenges male caregivers face, as they often approach caregiving from a task-oriented perspective rather than an empathetic one. His own experiences led him to become the facilitator of support groups and delve deeper into the world of caregiving. Bill's passion for helping others in similar situations led to his encore career as a caregiving support consultant, focusing on the emotional and logistical support often lacking for caregivers. Through his work, Bill has become an advocate for Alzheimer's research and funding, dedicating himself to supporting both caregivers and their loved ones.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Explore the distinct challenges and methods employed by male caregivers.
• Discover various resources and support systems available to caregivers.
• Learn effective self-care tips to avoid caregiver burnout.
• Delight in heartwarming stories, appetizing food, and personal accounts of Alzheimer's experiences.

About Bill: 

Bill  Cohen is a caregiver support group leader and speaker, an Alzheimer's Association volunteer, a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®, elder mediator, and the Cohen Caregiving Support Consultants owner. 

Bill  has completed multiple caregiving and aging courses through the Alzheimer's Association and the Society for Certified Senior Advisors™️, has a financial services and government background, and earned business degrees from Boston and Portland State Universities.  A native New Englander, he has lived in the Portland, Oregon area for almost 39 years with his wife of over 40 years, Lori. He loves to try different cuisines, especially at Portland's renowned food carts and is an avid Boston sports fan. 

Connect with Bill:

Website:  Cohen  Caregiving Support Consultants
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
Facebook Community: Dementia Support Group for Caregivers with Bill Cohen
Linked In
Yo

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Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Sisterhood of Care, LLC

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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 treatment, so they visit St. Patrick's Cathedral to pray for strength and guidance. Despite the looming challenges, they find solace in the beauty of the cathedral and the stories it tells.

Throughout the weekend, they also experience navigating the city's transportation, including a harrowing cab ride and practicing the subway route to Jason's radiation sessions. Ultimately, they decide to stick with Uber for their transportation needs.

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Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

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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 transportation due to safety concerns.

Natalie also shares fun moments from their day, like exploring the neighborhood, planning to find the best pizza, and meeting a bulldog named Stanley. She acknowledges that the real reason for their stay in New York is approaching, and she's determined to make the most of their time before treatment begins.

Support the show

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Sisterhood of Care, LLC

Website: www.confessionsofareluctantcaregiver.com

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