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Caregivers SHARE, a St. Jude Podcast
Caregivers SHARE, a St. Jude podcast, is a place for family caregivers to hear advice, reflection, and encouragement from families and health care providers who have been through the journey of childhood serious illness. SHARE stands for Support, Honor, Advise, Reflect, and Encourage.
The podcast is brought to you by Patient Family-Centered Care and Psychosocial Services at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Season 2
Living with Grief During a Time of Celebration
In this episode, Brenda Stephens and Erica Sirrine talk about loss and keeping memories alive. Brenda’s daughter Emily died of cancer at age 23. Brenda discusses navigating the first year after Emily died, the ways her family keeps Emily’s light alive, and being mentored by other parents through the journey. Brenda and Erica emphasize the importance of allowing oneself to feel, creating new traditions, and continuing to tell Emily’s story and celebrate her life. Brenda encourages other grieving parents to turn grief into love and give to others.
A special thank you to our moderator, Erica Sirrine, social work director at St. Jude, and our parent caregiver, Brenda Stephens.
Learn more about grief and bereavement on Together by St. Jude™.This episode was recorded on 04/26/24.
Navigating Serious Illness with Teens and Young Adults
In this episode, Carol Bailey and her daughter Katie talk with child life specialist Heather Haluska about going through cancer during the teen years. Katie was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia when she was a senior in high school. She continues to deal with chronic health conditions related to her diagnosis. Katie shares how she handled missing out on teenage experiences, used creativity as an outlet, and learned to advocate for herself in medical settings. Carol discusses learning to take time for herself. Both mother and daughter highlight the importance of communication and listening, even when they could only communicate through eye contact.
A special thank you to our moderator, Heather Haluska, child life specialist at St. Jude; our parent caregiver, Carol Bailey; and patient, Katie Bailey.
Learn more about Katie’s diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) on Together by St. Jude™.
This episode was recorded on 04/04/2024.
Navigating Serious Illness with School-age Children
Elnora Lee describes her 17-year journey with 3 school-age daughters navigating cancer. She talks with Randy Thompson of the St. Jude Imagine Academy about learning challenges, relationship challenges, and the importance of having compassion and empathy. She offers tips for helping a school-age child retain multiplication facts and turning trips to the store into learning experiences. Elnora emphasizes the importance of setting the tone, being firm, and focusing on the future.
A special thank you to our moderator, Randy Thompson, STEMM coordinator, Imagine Academy by Chili’s at St. Jude, and our parent caregiver, Elnora Lee.
Learn more about brain and spinal cord tumors on Together by St. Jude™.
This episode was recorded on 08/05/24.
Navigating Serious Illness with Early Childhood Children
In this episode, Ela Molina talks with Jen Harman about Ela’s daughter’s experience with cancer. Isa Molina was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 22 months old. Jen was Ela and Isa’s psychologist at St. Jude while Isa went through treatment. Ela and Jen reflect on that time. They offer tips for using play, setting limits, keeping a routine, and using positive reinforcement with young children. Ela highlights how helpful child life and music therapy were for Isa in the hospital. For parents and caregivers, Jen and Ela emphasize the importance of helping others through finding their own calling.
A special thank you to our moderator, Jen Harman, formerly Assistant Director of the Psychology Clinic at St. Jude, and our parent caregiver, Ela Molina.
Learn more about Isa’s diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) on Together by St. Jude™.
This episode was recorded on 05/22/2024.
How to Support a Sick Child’s Siblings
ShaQuitta McGhee and Jessica Watts reflect on how they supported their other children while their child was sick. ShaQuitta discusses how she relied on family and a counselor. She admits she didn’t always get it right when parenting her daughter, Reign Bella, and her sons at the same time. Jessica sheds light on how she found ways to include her younger son in family activities when he couldn’t be involved in her older son Charlie’s treatment. Both women share the importance of relishing moments together and celebrating the ones we love.
A special thank you to our moderator, Ashley Carr, child life specialist at St. Jude, and our parent caregivers, ShaQuitta McGhee and Jessica Watts.
How to Keep Your Relationship Strong
In this episode, Wes and Kady Shell talk about how they kept their marriage strong and remained close while their daughter Hattie went through an extended ICU stay. Wes and Cady discuss how they learned to let go, meet their spouse where they were, and check in often. One is an early riser and one of them is a night owl. This fact that used to irritate them became key in taking shifts in the ICU. Their differences became their strengths.
A special thank you to our moderator, Clay Culp, social worker at St. Jude, and our parent caregivers, Wesley and Kady Shell.
Learn more about Hattie’s diagnosis of anaplastic large cell lymphoma on Together by St. Jude™.
This episode was recorded on 04/04/2024.