Blue Faery’s Blog
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.
Improving Liver Cancer Education
Sarah is grateful for the palliative care team that took care of her father at the South Carolina trauma center. She also appreciated the honesty of the physician who diagnosed her father with hepatic renal syndrome because he made it clear that her father was near the end of his life and insisted that they switch to palliative care.
Improving Clinician Communication
Dr. Li feels that shared decision-making is a concept that healthcare agencies made up. About a century ago, healthcare was very paternalistic. The doctor made a recommendation, and patients had to follow it.
Delivering Cancer Care With Compassion
Ryne believes healthcare providers should have more formal training to learn how to deliver difficult news to patients and their families.
A Double Transplant and a New Beginning
Steve did not need a liver transplant because of liver cancer or liver disease caused by lifestyle. He was born with a genetic condition called polycystic kidney disease, also known as PKD.
From Cirrhosis to Second Chances: Karen Hoyt’s Journey Through Liver Disease and Cancer
Around 2004 or 2005, Karen began to bruise easily. Small bumps left large purple marks. The bruises felt like a warning. She thought she was healthy. She did not know she had liver disease.
From Fatty Liver to Liver Cancer: The Risk No One Explained
In 2005, Tony Villiotti’s doctor told him his liver enzymes were elevated. He said Tony had fatty liver disease and needed to lose weight. The warning did not sound urgent. No one explained what fatty liver could become.
From Stage Four Diagnosis to Patient Advocate
Melinda Bachini planned to keep working as a paramedic while raising her six children in Montana. But fourteen years ago, her life changed.
Turning Survival Into a Voice for Others
Danielle was born in Brazil. She moved to the United States for graduate school and was building her career. She was energetic, ambitious, and planning for the future. But her life took a sudden turn when routine medical tests revealed a serious health issue.