24 MAG 2021 · Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are mostly known for memory loss that worsens over time, but it comes with a range of complex needs – for the person diagnosed and the family. And the health needs and safety concerns for all involved typically increase as the disease progresses. Ann, a 92-year-old mother, grandmother, and former nurse, has been living with dementia for about 7 years. She also has COPD and heart problems. Ann has been able to stay in her own home with the help of her daughter Holly, care from home aides, and a palliative care team. Holly and her family know firsthand that the palliative care team improves the quality of life for people with dementia and their caregivers by adding a layer of support. This is Ann and Holly’s palliative care story.

1 DIC 2020 · The COVID-19 virus is still circulating in the U.S. and millions of people are still testing positive. Thankfully, most who come down with COVID-19 don’t have to be hospitalized. Even so, for many the symptoms can be extensive and recovery can take weeks or months. Listen to one woman’s COVID-19 experience, including the palliative care she received that helped keep her at home, and how she coped through six weeks with more than a dozen different and debilitating symptoms. This is Bobye’s story.

17 NOV 2020 · Sixty-six year old Joni knows all too well that living with the lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – or COPD – can be stressful. The main symptom is shortness of breath, which worsens over time. The disease and treatments also cause coughing, wheezing, tremors, and emotional effects, such as anxiety and panic attacks, depression, and insomnia. When Joni’s lung doctor of more than a dozen years referred her to a palliative care doctor, the goal was to address the worsening symptoms from the illness and its treatments, and help Joni live her life in the fullest way possible. This is Joni’s palliative care story.

13 MAG 2020 · As a speech language pathologist for young children, Ilene’s skills as an educator, careful listener and problem solver were keys to her career success. These factors also have played an important role for her through the many years she’s been treated for advanced ovarian cancer. It was a surprise diagnosis for the 68-year-old New Yorker that came in the fall of 2015 and changed her life dramatically. She had a growing number of symptoms and side effects from treatments and surgery. When her cancer doctor referred Ilene to the palliative care team, Ilene didn’t know about the medical specialty. She had no idea how important it would be over the many years of her cancer journey, which included several recurrences. But ever-the-educator and problem solver, she went to the first appointment hoping for help to address many sources of discomfort. This is Ilene’s palliative care story.

1 APR 2020 · April grew up with hairdressers in her family. As a kid she put curlers in her cat’s fur to practice. She eventually realized her dream and even took ownership of her own salon. In June 2018, a diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer followed by 16 rounds of chemotherapy, a mastectomy, and 30 rounds of radiation, forced April to have to stop working. This is a story about fighting to get back to the people and things you love. This is a story about embracing help. This is April’s Palliative Care Story.

5 FEB 2020 · While living her everyday life and enjoying a concert, Rae Anne discovered a lump on the side of her neck. Not knowing what it could be, as she felt okay, she left quickly to schedule appointments with various doctors. Within a few weeks, the lump grew and she was diagnosed with stage 4 head and neck cancer. Rae Anne received several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and was sent home to wait to see if the treatment worked. During this team, the palliative care team called which changed her life for the better, answering questions and providing monitoring during an otherwise lonely and scary time. “Palliative care was the most valuable part of treatment because it enabled me to feel like I was going to feel better again. There was an opportunity and a team of caregivers that were going to make sure that my next step in my cancer journey was smooth.” Rae Anne is now living cancer-free with her twin children, and running her nonprofit. This is Rae Anne's story. Narrated by Nick Ciavatta Produced by Melissa Baron, Lisa Morgan, and Nick Ciavatta

26 NOV 2019 · Ryan's Pediatric Palliative Care Story by Get Palliative Care

1 OTT 2019 · A Quality Life: Sarah's Colon Cancer Story by Get Palliative Care

31 AGO 2019 · A Quality Life: Willie's Rectal Cancer Story by Get Palliative Care

8 LUG 2019 · A Quality Life: JoAnn's Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Story by Get Palliative Care