Collaborative Cancer Care Podcast

Episode #7 Has A Cancer Diagnosis Caused Loneliness? Here Are 4 Ways to Combat Loneliness

A cancer diagnosis can change everything—including your social connections. Many patients, survivors, and caregivers find themselves feeling isolated during and after treatment. In this episode of Collaborative Cancer Conversations, Dr. Wendy Garvin Mayo shares 4 practical and powerful ways to combat loneliness and rebuild meaningful connection. Whether you’re navigating treatment or supporting someone who is, you don’t have to do it alone. Tune in to learn how to restore your sense of community and emotional well-being. Learn more and access mental health support at: www.collaborativecancercare.com [http://www.collaborativecancercare.com/] #CancerSupport #MentalHealth #Loneliness #CancerSurvivorship #CollaborativeCancerCare #DrWendyGarvinMayo

Episode #6 Are You Grieving During Your Cancer Journey? Here Are 5 Types of Grief You May Experience

In this powerful episode, Dr. Wendy Garvin Mayo explores the often-unspoken emotional reality of grief during the cancer journey. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or survivor, grief can show up in unexpected ways—not just in response to loss of life, but in loss of identity, control, or certainty. Dr. Wendy breaks down five types of grief commonly experienced during and after a cancer diagnosis, offering insight, validation, and practical strategies to help you better understand and navigate these emotions. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, emotionally numb, or unsure of what you’re feeling, this episode is for you. 👉🏽Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel to dive deeper and access tools to support your healing journey: 🔗 Subscribe and watch on YouTube – Collaborative Cancer Care [https://www.youtube.com/@CollaborativeCancerCare] #GriefAndCancer #CancerSupport #MentalHealthInCancer #CollaborativeCancerCare #DrWendyGarvinMayo #YouAreNotAlone

Episode #5 Balancing Career and Caregiving: Saju Varghese’s Journey as a Young Corporate Caregiver

When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, life can change in an instant. For Saju Varghese, the diagnosis of his mother with lymphoma meant navigating the overwhelming world of caregiving—all while balancing the demands of a corporate career as a young professional. In this powerful episode, Saju shares his emotional and practical journey of stepping into the role of caregiver while managing his job, personal responsibilities, and the ever-present stress of his mother’s illness. He opens up about the challenges of juggling work and caregiving, the sacrifices he made, and the mental and emotional toll that came with trying to be present in both worlds. Through resilience, resourcefulness, and unwavering love, Saju found ways to support his mother while also taking care of himself. His story is a testament to the strength of caregivers who face the daily challenge of balancing career ambitions with family obligations—often without a roadmap. 🔹 Key Takeaways from This Episode: ✔️ How to manage career responsibilities while being a caregiver ✔️ The emotional impact of caregiving as a young professional ✔️ Practical strategies for balancing work, life, and caregiving ✔️ The importance of self-care and setting boundaries If you’re a professional navigating caregiving responsibilities, or if you know someone who is, this episode will provide insight, encouragement, and inspiration. 💙 Learn more about Collaborative Cancer Care at www.collaborativecancercare.com [http://www.collaborativecancercare.com/]. 4o

Episode #4 Caring from Afar: Michelle Munsami’s Journey as a Long-Distance Cancer Caregiver

Caring for a loved one with cancer is never easy, but what happens when distance separates you from the person who needs you most? In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Michelle Munsami, who shares her deeply personal experience of being a long-distance caregiver for her mother after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Michelle opens up about the emotional and mental challenges she faced, particularly the guilt that often accompanies caregiving from afar. She candidly discusses the difficult moments, from navigating medical updates remotely to the heartbreak of not always being physically present. Despite these challenges, Michelle found ways to stay connected, provide unwavering support, and ultimately process her own emotions throughout the journey. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who has experienced the complexities of caregiving at a distance. Whether you are currently supporting a loved one from miles away or simply want to understand the emotional weight that caregivers carry, Michelle’s story offers valuable insights, heartfelt reflections, and hope. 🔹 Key Takeaways from This Episode: ✔️ Managing feelings of guilt and helplessness as a long-distance caregiver ✔️ Strategies for staying emotionally and practically connected to your loved one ✔️ The importance of self-care and mental health for caregivers ✔️ Finding peace and closure after a loved one’s journey with cancer Tune in for an inspiring and emotional discussion that sheds light on the unseen struggles of caregivers and the resilience it takes to support a loved one from a distance. 💙 Learn more about Collaborative Cancer Care at www.collaborativecancercare.com [http://www.collaborativecancercare.com/]. 4o

Episode #3 How Can We Better Support Cancer Caregivers? 4 Evidence-Based Interventions & the Role of Advocacy

Caregivers play a vital role in a cancer patient’s journey, yet their own mental, emotional, and physical well-being is often overlooked. In this episode of the Collaborative Cancer Care Podcast, Dr. Wendy Garvin Mayo sits down with Dr. Tracy Wilson, a dedicated multiple myeloma caregiver for her husband, to discuss their co-authored article: "Identifying and Addressing the Needs of Caregivers of Patients with Cancer: Evidence on Interventions and the Role of Patient Advocacy Groups. [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11534103/]" Together, they explore evidence-based strategies to support caregivers, the challenges they face, and how patient advocacy groups can provide crucial resources. Whether you're a caregiver, patient, or healthcare professional, this conversation will highlight the importance of caregiver well-being and the need for a more comprehensive support system in cancer care. 📍 Learn more at www.collaborativecancercare.com [http://www.collaborativecancercare.com/] 🗓 Join us every Monday at 12 PM for Café Conversations – a virtual communitywhere cancer patients, caregivers, and family members can converse, connect, and commune around personal development. Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p2Gi2Q-PRVy4zdIbAUstgg#/registration [https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p2Gi2Q-PRVy4zdIbAUstgg#/registration] 🔔 Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and share this episode with anyone who might benefit from it!