Episode 59: How A Cancer Survivor Went From Patient To Advocate By Helping Caregivers Navigate Hospitalization

Episode 59: How A Cancer Survivor Went From Patient To Advocate By Helping Caregivers Navigate Hospitalization

What if the hardest part of a cancer hospitalization isn’t just the treatment — but the waiting, uncertainty, isolation, and pressure placed on patients and caregivers? A cancer diagnosis changes everything, and hospitalization can create a completely different set of challenges for families. From planned admissions and infusion days to unexpected hospital stays, caregivers often find themselves trying to support their loved one while also managing their own stress, emotions, and exhaustion. In this episode of Prescription for Admission, Dr. Monique Nugent speaks with Joelle Kaufman, host of Kicking Cancer’s Ass Podcast, about the realities of navigating cancer hospitalization from both the patient and caregiver perspectives. Together, they discuss how families can prepare for hospital stays, communicate needs, create boundaries around visitors, and support each other through some of life’s most difficult moments. Listeners will learn: 1. How to prepare for the waiting, uncertainty, and emotional challenges that come with cancer hospitalization. 2. How caregivers can support their loved one while also protecting their own physical and emotional well-being. 3. How to have difficult conversations about treatment decisions, quality of life, and honoring what matters most to the patient. Listen to this episode to discover practical ways to make cancer hospitalization feel less overwhelming and help patients and caregivers feel more supported, prepared, and connected. About Joelle Kauffman: Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ [https://drmoniquenugent.com/] Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources [https://drmoniquenugent.com/shop/] Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself [https://mnugent.kartra.com/page/vzI1] Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/the_happiest_hospitalist/] ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/drmoniquenugent/] ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquenugent-mdmph/] ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.MoniqueS.Nugent] ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmoniquenugent] Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

#20 - Quick Tip: How Smart Caregivers Avoid Discharge Prescription Delays With One Simple Pharmacy Shift

Are you leaving the hospital without a clear plan for your discharge prescriptions and pharmacy access? If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to manage new medications after discharge, you’re not alone. The transition from hospital to home is one of the most common points where prescriptions get delayed, pharmacies create unexpected barriers, and critical doses are missed. This episode breaks down exactly how to stay ahead of those challenges and take control before you walk out the door. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. How to prevent discharge prescription delays by planning with your pharmacy ahead of time 2. Why timing your prescriptions before discharge can eliminate stress and missed doses 3. The simple pharmacy switch that ensures you always have access to medications when you need them most Tune in now to learn how to take control of your discharge prescriptions and pharmacy plan so you can leave the hospital confident, prepared, and stress-free. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ [https://drmoniquenugent.com/] Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources [https://drmoniquenugent.com/shop/] Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself [https://mnugent.kartra.com/page/vzI1] Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/the_happiest_hospitalist/] ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/drmoniquenugent/] ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquenugent-mdmph/] ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.MoniqueS.Nugent] ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmoniquenugent] Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

#19 - Quick Tip: How Smarter Specialist Appointment Planning Elevated Patient Advocacy for Every Hospital Caregiver

Are you pushing for a specialist appointment in the hospital—only to feel frustrated when it doesn’t happen? As a hospital caregiver, you want to make the most of every moment and advocate strongly for your loved one. But when it comes to securing a specialist appointment during a hospital stay, what feels like proactive patient advocacy can sometimes slow down progress or miss the bigger picture. In this quick tip, you’ll learn how to think strategically about timing, understand what actually happens behind the scenes with specialist consultations, and why the outpatient setting is often where the real plan comes together. What you’ll walk away with: 1. Clarity on when a specialist appointment in the hospital helps—and when it doesn’t 2. A smarter patient advocacy approach that aligns with how hospital care actually works 3. Confidence in prioritizing discharge and outpatient follow-up for better long-term outcomes Tune in to learn how to make better decisions around specialist appointments and strengthen your patient advocacy as a hospital caregiver. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ [https://drmoniquenugent.com/] Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources [https://drmoniquenugent.com/shop/] Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself [https://mnugent.kartra.com/page/vzI1] Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/the_happiest_hospitalist/] ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/drmoniquenugent/] ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquenugent-mdmph/] ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.MoniqueS.Nugent] ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmoniquenugent] Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

Episode 56: How Caregiving in Dementia and Elder Care Changes When You Replace Apology With Leadership

Are you constantly saying sorry while navigating caregiving for a loved one with dementia, even when you’re just asking for help? If you’ve ever felt guilty walking into a hospital, unsure if your concerns are “serious enough,” or found yourself minimizing real safety issues with an apology, this episode speaks directly to you. Caregiving is already complex—layering guilt and self-doubt on top of it makes it even harder to get the support you actually need. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. How letting go of unnecessary apologies can help you advocate more effectively in caregiving situations 2. Why behavioral and mental health changes in dementia are valid reasons to seek immediate support 3. How to use hospital resources (like case managers and social workers) to create safer, sustainable care plans If you want to feel more confident, supported, and clear in your caregiving journey with dementia, this episode will show you how to move forward without guilt. Listen now to start replacing apology with clarity, confidence, and the support you deserve. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ [https://drmoniquenugent.com/] Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources [https://drmoniquenugent.com/shop/] Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself [https://mnugent.kartra.com/page/vzI1] Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/the_happiest_hospitalist/] ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/drmoniquenugent/] ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquenugent-mdmph/] ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.MoniqueS.Nugent] ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmoniquenugent] Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

#18 - Quick Tip: Does Your Care Team Miss Delirium During Hospitalization & Call It Dementia? Fix This Now

Have you noticed your loved one suddenly becoming confused during a hospitalization and been told it’s just dementia? If you’re navigating a hospital stay with someone you care about, understanding the difference between delirium and dementia could completely change how quickly they get the care they need. Sudden confusion isn’t something to brush off, it’s often a medical emergency hiding in plain sight. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. How to quickly recognize delirium vs dementia during hospitalization 2. The most common medical triggers behind sudden confusion 3. What to ask your care team to ensure there’s a clear plan to treat delirium Listen now to learn how to spot delirium early and advocate for the right care during hospitalization. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ [https://drmoniquenugent.com/] Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources [https://drmoniquenugent.com/shop/] Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself [https://mnugent.kartra.com/page/vzI1] Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/the_happiest_hospitalist/] ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/drmoniquenugent/] ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquenugent-mdmph/] ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.MoniqueS.Nugent] ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmoniquenugent] Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.