03-30-13 A Survival Guide For The Cancer Caregiver 3 tips for the caregiver in keeping their sanity
When Betty Garrett’s husband, Gene, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2003, she was his primary caregiver and battled it with him. When his cancer came back a year later, she decided she needed additional support for herself. Baylor University Medical Center, where Gene was undergoing treatment, did not offer a support group for caregivers. Garrett looked further and realized there were plenty of groups for patients and caregivers, but she didn’t want her husband to know how overwhelming, frustrating and devastating this journey was for her.
In July 2004, Garrett worked with Baylor staff to develop the hospital’s Support Group for Family and Friends of Cancer Patients. Designed especially for caregivers, this forum provided its members with opportunities to discuss their challenges and victories and walk away knowing they had support, too.
Soon after Gene died in November 2004, Betty began to share her knowledge with others. She offers training sessions for the oncology team about how to effectively assist the cancer caregiver, based on her physical journey as well as advice from medical authorities, attorneys, financial counselors, hospice workers and organizations devoted to cancer research. Plus she has the experience of setting up effective support groups.
Garrett authored From Hiccups to Hospice: A Survival Guide for the Cancer Caregiver a how-to manual for caregivers tending cancer patients. It is a must read for those undergoing challenges with care giving. She also has developed the Caregivers Companion to assist caregivers in coping with the appointments, treatments, medications, etc. all in one book. She is a contributing writer to Coping for Cancer Magazine.
In November 2008, Garrett faced yet another challenge. She herself was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a biopsy, lumpectomy and radiation. Then, she developed an infection that 10 weeks of intensive antibiotic treatment could not resolve. In July 2009, she had a mastectomy. Always the optimist, Betty sees her personal experience with cancer as an opportunity to gain insights and knowledge to complement that of being a caregiver. Having walked both sides of the cancer diagnosis, she is working even harder to educate others about what lies ahead when the “C” word affects their lives or that of a loved one.
Betty Garrett holds a business management degree from LeTourneau University and has more than 32 years of experience in the training, hospitality and travel industries.
Her company, Garrett Speakers International, is a full-service speakers bureau that matches the right keynote speakers and trainers with meetings, conventions and seminars. Garrett has won numerous industry awards locally and internationally.
http://www.caregivers4cancer.com/index.html
http://www.garrettspeakers.com/
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