Blue Faery’s Blog

Misunderstanding Liver Disease
liver disease doctor Dr. Jody Olson liver disease doctor Dr. Jody Olson

Misunderstanding Liver Disease

Dr. Jody Olson didn't come from a family of college graduates. He was the first. When he began college, he thought he wanted to become a lawyer. A popular TV drama about attorneys and his natural love for debate may have influenced him. A wise college advisor told him to study science, just in case he decided to change his career plans. That advice opened unexpected doors.

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Cherishing Time with Loved Ones
caregiver Bonnie Pickard caregiver Bonnie Pickard

Cherishing Time with Loved Ones

By a stroke of luck, Bonnie and Warren were able to identify a suitable physician to help with Warren's treatment on the day he was going in for his biopsy. They overheard the GI doctor mention the name of an interventional radiologist (IR) who successfully treated HCC. So, they asked about the IR, who coincidently happened to be there that day. 

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Optimizing Cancer Support
caregiver Sarah Schiltz caregiver Sarah Schiltz

Optimizing Cancer Support

Initially, Greg was eligible for a transplant, which gave him the best odds of survival. The liver transplant process is very extensive. The healthcare team has to ensure whomever they provide a liver for is not only going to be able to survive the surgery but also the post-treatment care.

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Advocating for Cancer Patients
caregiver Swapna Roopesh caregiver Swapna Roopesh

Advocating for Cancer Patients

Although he was in his 70s, the hepatologists recommended liver resection (i.e., surgery) as a treatment option. They told Swapna and her family that he was a good candidate for resection and it was possibly curative.

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Destigmatizing Palliative Care
palliative care Dr. Arpan Patel palliative care Dr. Arpan Patel

Destigmatizing Palliative Care

Dr. Patel defines palliative care as a form of care that prioritizes quality of life and adds an additional layer of support for patients. When talking to patients about palliative care, he often describes the palliative care team, including doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and chaplains, who meet the patients' needs outside medical treatment services.

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