Episodes

  • Navigating Serious Illness with School-age Children

    Navigating Serious Illness with School-age Children
    Oct 23 2024
    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.
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    11 mins
  • Navigating Serious Illness with Early Childhood Children

    Navigating Serious Illness with Early Childhood Children
    Oct 9 2024
    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.
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    22 mins
  • How to Support a Sick Child’s Siblings

    How to Support a Sick Child’s Siblings
    Sep 25 2024
    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.
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    27 mins
  • How to Keep Your Relationship Strong

    How to Keep Your Relationship Strong
    Sep 11 2024
    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.
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    21 mins
  • Season 2 Trailer

    Season 2 Trailer
    Sep 5 2024
    We are happy to present season 2 of Caregivers SHARE, a St. Jude podcast. Hear from families and health care providers as they share personal stories and offer support to those caring for a child with a serious illness.

    At St. Jude, we understand the challenges that families face during this difficult time, and we are committed to providing resources to help. Each episode of the podcast focuses on S.H.A.R.E—Supporting, Honoring, Advising, Reflecting, and Encouraging caregivers.

    The first episode of Season 2 will drop on September 12, 2024.

    https://www.stjude.org/care-treatment/patient-families/family-caregiver/caregivers-share-podcast.html
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    1 min
  • Holiday Episode: Finding Joy in the Simple Moments

    Holiday Episode: Finding Joy in the Simple Moments
    Dec 4 2023
    St. Jude Director of Spiritual Care Services Mark Brown talks with caregiver Nikole Sullivan. Listeners will learn how her family managed the holidays with a child in the hospital, created new memories, and embraced simple joys together. Nikole shares how she let go of the pressure that comes with the holiday season and navigated being apart from family members.

    A special thank you to Mark Brown and our parent caregiver Nikole Sullivan.
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    15 mins
  • Episode 7: Friends, Relationships, and Mental Health

    Episode 7: Friends, Relationships, and Mental Health
    Oct 18 2023
    The transition off therapy can be socially and psychosocially challenging. Caregivers can have feelings of release and relief, but they can also be confused and overwhelmed. How can you take care of your mental health while ensuring the health of your child? LaChaka and Darick explore returning to work, managing finances, asking for help, and navigating strained relationships. They emphasize the importance of giving back by helping others with children who have serious illnesses. A special thank you to Emily Browne, Transition Oncology Program Director at St. Jude, and our parent caregivers LaChaka Davis and Darick Hemphill.
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    37 mins
  • Episode 6: Going Back to School

    Episode 6: Going Back to School
    Oct 4 2023
    When your child transitions off therapy, how do you know when to send them back to school? Emily, Darick, and LaChaka discuss how to confidently make that decision, as well as what accommodations might be needed, such as IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) or 504 plans. They speak about the importance of communicating openly with the care team, child life specialists, social workers, and school administrators. A special thank you to Emily Browne, Transition Oncology Program Director at St. Jude, and our parent caregivers LaChaka Davis and Darick Hemphill.
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    28 mins