The Negative Space

08/19/2026

08/12/2026

Join us for a virtual support group on the topic of the most recent episode of the In Sickness podcast: The Hamster Wheel of Caregiving, on Monday, August 17 from 6-715pm CT.

Our support groups are free, held on Zoom, and open to caregivers of all kinds. Questions about what they are like? Send us a message!

Register here: https://thenegativespace.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/28888

08/11/2026

Caregiving tasks, while important, can begin to feel repetitive and mundane, making each day feel like the one before. In this episode, we discuss the hamster wheel of caregiving, how it can lead to feelings of frustration or numbness, and how to find moments of joy amidst the routine.

Listen, share, and join us for a virtual support group on this topic on Monday, August 17 from 6-715pm CT.

Caregivers: Can you relate to this image? Does caregiving ever feel to you like being on a hamster wheel? Share with us in the comments!

Listen: www.insickness.care
Register for Support Group: https://thenegativespace.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/28888

08/10/2026

This weekend was rough.

Sean had three liver lesions ablated on Thursday in an outpatient procedure. By Friday night he was in excruciating pain, just in time for all the clinics to close for the weekend. He isn't allowed to take ibuprofen because of his kidneys and can't take Tylenol because of his liver. We had a bottle of pain meds that I was counting out to see if they'd get us through the weekend as I know getting opioids refilled on the weekend is next to impossible. He spiked a fever and so I was taking his vitals regularly, trying to avoid another round of sepsis. I found in our supplies the spirometer and added it to the emergency basket, making him use it to ward off the pneumonia he just recently had.

I spent the whole weekend watching, monitoring, calculating, preparing to head to the ER. But by the skin of our teeth, we managed to stay home. His fever finally broke and his pain level has come down, but we're both worse for the wear from the experience. He is weak and exhausted. The countertop is strewn with all my documentation of hourly vital signs, when meds were taken, how many doses until we'd run out.

I share this not for pity, but to paint one picture of the reality of caregiving, of the weight we carry as we watch our loved ones suffer and do all we can to help, without medical degrees, training, or compensation. It is A LOT.

Caregivers, chime in: have you had weekends like this??

08/04/2026

We have been taking full advantage of these rare sweet days in between Sean's recovery from surgery and pneumonia and the next thing (ablation of 3 liver lesions) this Thursday.

We've spent time with all our favorite littles, went to see Hadestown in the movie theater, got time with our daughter, had visits from friends, and even had ice cream for dinner one night!

This life of ours has helped us know what things fill our buckets and to grab those opportunities every time we can, helping us to go into Thursday's procedure with full hearts.

What are your bucket fillers??

08/02/2026

I found myself doing something that was not healthy for my back today because so often it feels like there is no other option.

Caregivers: in what situations do you find yourself thinking, "I know I shouldn't, but what's my option?"

07/30/2026

Join us for a free virtual support group for caregivers of all kinds.

TOPIC: Finding Respite: Easier Said than Done
WHEN: Sunday, August 2, 6-7:15 pm
WHERE: Zoom

The conversation is inspired by the most recent episode of the In Sickness podcast, but listening is not required.

Register for the group: https://thenegativespace.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/28743

Podcast: www.insicknes.care

07/28/2026

🎉Excited to have a NEW podcast episode to share with you after a long hiatus.🎉

As you can imagine, my recent intense caregiving experiences inspired this topic: Finding Respite: Easier Said Than Done.

In this episode, we discuss:
✅ the formal and informal ways respite care can look for caregivers
✅ the challenges caregivers may face in accessing those services
✅ the impact on caregiver health and wellbeing if they don’t take breaks

Listen in and join us for a virtual support group on this topic on Sunday, August 2 from 6-715pm CT.

Caregivers: have you used formal or informal respite care? Did it help? If you haven't, what have been the barriers?

Listen: www.insickness.care
Register for Support Group: https://thenegativespace.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/28743

07/27/2026

On this I want to share the research I once saw that said head and neck cancer caregivers experience PTSD at the same rate as the person with the diagnosis!

As a person whose spouse has had multiple cancers in the head and neck, I have lots of thoughts about this that I share in the video.

Head and Neck Cancer Caregivers: what are your thoughts?? Share here or feel free to reach out to me privately - I get it!!!

07/26/2026

This simple text I got from a friend today made me feel:
❤️ seen
❤️ loved
❤️ cared for
❤️ remembered
❤️ less isolated

Running errands? Send a caregiver a text like this. Even if they don't take you up on it, the text itself is powerful.

In case you're wondering, we took her up on it. 🍦🍦😁😁

Caregivers, would you want to receive a text like this? How would it make you feel?