In this quick continuation entry for May 26, Natalie shares more photos of their New York City experiences and discusses Jason's newfound interest in cancer awareness shirts. They discover a shirt with a vivid description of fighting cancer, which they plan to purchase. Despite some of the shirts being quite expressive, Natalie supports Jason's enthusiasm for them. She encourages listeners to visit her caregiver confessions website to see the shirts and promises to update again tomorrow.

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In entry eight of the Diary of a Caregiver series, dated May 26th, 2022, Natalie shares their adventures in New York City. They have been busy with doctor's appointments and getting acclimated to their new surroundings. Natalie goes on a grocery shopping trip, where she marvels at the organization of Morton Williams store and befriends the staff. She also visits Trader Joe's with Jason, which is uniquely built into a bridge. Despite their busy schedule filled with scans and appointments, they manage to settle into their new home and explore the city. Natalie appreciates the support from her sister Emily and enjoys sharing their experiences with listeners.

On their journey, they discover various grocery stores, including Whole Foods, and try to find their favorite spot to shop. They face challenges adjusting to the city's noise and trash pickup schedules but remain determined to make the most of their time in NYC.

Natalie also shares her struggles with cooking for Jason, who is experiencing changes in taste and appetite due to his cancer treatment. She admits to needing occasional escapes to maintain her sanity during this challenging time. Despite the difficulties, they stay hopeful and focus on finding joy in their surroundings, reminding themselves that cancer does not define them.

As Jason's first day of treatment approaches, they both experience fear and anxiety but look forward to the countdown to the cure and returning home to their loved ones. They continue to live life to the fullest and seek glimmers of hope in difficult situations.

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In entry seven of the Diary of a Caregiver series, Natalie shares their experience on May 24, 2022, as they arrive in New York City for Jason's cancer treatment. They had an early start, facing challenges like heavy rain and flooding in their basement. Despite the hurdles, they successfully reached New York and settled into their apartment at the AKA Residences, which partners with Memorial Sloan Kettering for cancer patients. Natalie unpacks their belongings and orders dinner to acclimate themselves to their new environment. She also shares their address for loved ones to send cards and support during this challenging time.

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In entry six of the Diary of a Caregiver series on the Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver podcast, Natalie shares her thoughts on May 23, 2022, the night before their move to New York City for Jason's cancer treatment. They are both experiencing a mix of emotions, but they remain hopeful and trust in God. Natalie's sister Emily has come to take care of their dogs, which was an answered prayer. They have packed and shipped most of their belongings to their new apartment, hoping to make it feel like home. As they embark on this new chapter, they appreciate the support from family, friends, and strangers. Natalie expresses her gratitude to God for his love and guidance. They rely on the Bible app for spiritual connection during the pandemic and find comfort in Psalms 23:4-5.

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Natalie shares an update on Jason's cancer journey through her caringbridge.com entry. They plan to move to New York City on May 24th for Jason's radiation treatment, which will start around June 2nd. They found a place to live with amenities and a shuttle to MSK. Natalie encourages Jason to eat all his favorite foods before losing his sense of taste due to treatment. She asks for continued prayers as they face the upcoming challenges. In the meantime, they focus on preparing their home and spending time together before leaving for New York.

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Becky and Logan Pickels faced a series of unexpected challenges when their lives took a turn for the worse. The couple found themselves in a whirlwind of health issues, with Logan being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and their daughter Lexi suffering from a rare autoimmune disorder called PANDAS. Amid it all, they struggled to maintain a sense of normalcy for their family, pushing through physical and mental pain and relying on each other for support. Their journey showed them the importance of having a strong support system and recognizing the need for self-care, especially for caregivers. With Becky working PRN and Logan managing his illness while working remotely, they learned to communicate more effectively and prioritize their well-being. Through resilience and unwavering love for their family, the Pickels persevered as they navigated the complexities of their new reality.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Navigate the complexities of chronic illness and caregiving by learning practical techniques and habits.
• Discover novel self-care methods to avoid burnout.
• Explore the emotional landscape of caregiving and forge stronger relationships with loved ones in challenging situations.

About Becky and Logan:

Becky and Logan Pickels are a family of four, including their adorable and fluffy dog Auggie, who have faced the challenges of autoimmune diseases head-on. Their journey began with Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism, Celiac Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis, but they refused to let these conditions define them. Instead, they sought natural, diet-controlled ways to bring about positive change.

When their youngest daughter was diagnosed with PANS/PANDAS, an autoimmune encephalitis, they realized it was time to make changes and develop an entirely new lifestyle. They decided to "Rise Up" and take control of their present and future.

As a family, they transformed their mindset through dietary changes, addressing needs, and investigating environmental factors. After a year of effort they successfully created a new lifestyle and everyone is now in remission. 

Connects with the Pickels:

FB Group
FB 
Instagram
TikTok
Website

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In this episode of "Diary of a Caregiver," Natalie shares her experiences on caringbridge.com about her husband Jason's cancer treatment journey. They complete pre-treatment testing and learn about the side effects of radiation. Natalie is grateful for the better treatment options at their chosen facility, MSK, which they believe is an answered prayer.

Natalie reflects on the universality of cancer, affecting people from all walks of life. Despite the challenges, she emphasizes the importance of hope, faith, and living life to the fullest. She encourages others not to sweat the small stuff and cherish moments with loved ones. As they prepare for Jason's treatment, they remain determined and hopeful.

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Welcome back to Diary of a Caregiver! Today we pick up with my May 4th journal entry, "No Scan Left Behind," where we share our busy day at Memorial Sloan Kettering, 30 days since our first visit. Jason underwent tests like EKG, PET scan, audiology screen, two MRIs, and a blood draw (10 vials, can you believe it?). The good news is that his heart and hearing are in great shape, but now he's radioactive from the dye! Oh, and we discovered COVID tests could be done with saliva – who knew?

During our time in NYC, we've had some interesting observations. We love walking the streets, enjoying the sights, sounds, and diverse food options. But not all dogs are friendly, and we found a "secure" bike that was anything but! At MSK, the staff and patients are incredible, and we even had an impromptu photoshoot with a gentleman from Turkey. While waiting for Jason, I made friends around MSK, spreading cheer and connecting with others because relationships are the oxygen of human development.

Despite the challenges, seeing Jason walk out of each visit smiling melts my heart. He's truly an amazing person who loves me for me, and I'm grateful for every moment. Our day was filled with wonder, curiosity, and great conversations, turning a rainy, dreary day into an afternoon and evening of pure delight. Join me next time for more heartfelt experiences on Diary of a Caregiver! 

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In this episode, I'll tell you about Jason's first-ever experience on an Amtrak train and how it compares to flying. Spoiler alert: we loved it! We'll discuss the pros and cons of train travel, including the stress-free environment, the spaciousness, and the beautiful views. Plus, I'll share our thoughts on the not-so-great aspects, like the Wi-Fi situation (or lack thereof) and the many stops along the way.

But it's not all fun and games – we also dive into the serious stuff. We have a jam-packed schedule of medical appointments in NYC, including radiation simulation, audiology testing, and even some saliva testing (sounds like a blast, right?). To top it all off, we're on the hunt for a place to live, so stay tuned for updates and photos from our adventures in the Big Apple. 

As always, we're grateful for your continued prayers and support. We know that God is with us every step of the way, and together, we're going to kick cancer's butt!

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Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

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 Natalie shares a new chapter from my Diary of a Caregiver series. In this series, I open my heart and share my journal entries from CaringBridge.org. I hope that by sharing these stories, we can support each other on this incredible caregiving journey.

So, in our last episode, we talked about Jason's story. Today, we're diving into my journal entries from May 1st. These entries are all about the exciting and nerve-wracking preparations for our big move to New York City (around May 25th) for some pre-treatment procedures. Oh, and I've got a funny story for you too – it involves Jason, his big toe, and a garage door opener motor mishap. You won't believe what happened! 🤣

Stay tuned as we navigate the ups and downs of caregiving together, sharing the challenges and the lighter moments with honesty, humor, and vulnerability. Remember, we're all in this together, so let's find inspiration, understanding, and support in each other's stories. 

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Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

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