Bonnie Bajorek Daneker, Author and Caregiving Expert
Caring.com Expert
Bonnie Bajorek Daneker is author and creator of the The Compassionate Caregiver's Series, which includes "The Compassionate Caregiver's Guide to Caring for Someone with Cancer," "The Journey of Grief," "Handbook on Hospice and Palliative Care," and other titles on cancer diagnosis and end of life. She speaks regularly at cancer research and support functions, including PANCAN and Cancer Survivor's Network. She is a former member of the Executive Committee of the CSN at St. Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta and the Georgia Chapter of the Lymphoma Research Foundation.
Recently Published on Caring.com
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Hi Kelly, It's difficult to know what the doctor meant exactly by "ride it out," but likely it means that no further options for treatment of the cancer remain. At this tim...
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Is there such thing at stage 4 Multiple Myeloma? — Nov 08, 2011Hello Katara, You are right,there are three stages in Multiple Myeloma. In Stage 4 for other cancers, as you know, the cancer has metastasized (or spread) to other parts of... -
How can we support my brother-in-law and his family through the last stages of cancer? — Aug 11, 2011I know this is a trying time for you, and when you're attempting to involve the rest of the family in his care, it can be very frustrating. Try not to feel guilty; you're i... -
Hello Steve, It is noble of you to want to continue life with your father, and I applaud you for seeking answers to such a challenging circumstance. It's clear from your m... -
First, I have to commend you for managing this for over two years. While it can't be easy, it is relatively common. Cancer patients, especially those fighting multiple type... -
What charities fight lung cancer? — Mar 31, 2011Hello, That is a very generous gesture. If you'd like to make a donation to an organization focused on lung cancer, The Bonnie J. Addario Foundation is very active: http://... -
I have seen this before -- you're not alone in bargaining with the patient to do things that are GOOD for them. It doesn't seem to make sense. However, there are many consi... -
How do I know if it's the right time for my father with lung cancer to enter hospice? — Mar 11, 2011It's tough to know what the right course of action is when you have limited information, but let's talk about what you do know. If he was diagnosed in November, that means ... -
Will my mother with lung cancer need full time care? — Feb 24, 2011Many people realize the complexity of lung cancer and the toll it takes on the body. When breathing becomes labored or compromised, the rest of the body's activity is impac... -
How do you care for someone who had their prostate removed? — Feb 01, 2011Caring for a loved one whose prostate has been removed can be very tricky, as there are emotional as well as physical elements to it. Physically, you need to care for him a... -
How can I get mom to stop chain smoking? — Feb 01, 2011Hi Darlene, The desire to stop chain smoking is a common problem with not many good answers, unfortunately. While there are a variety of smoking cessation programs and prod... -
How do I keep her spirits up during chemo? — Dec 17, 2010Hi Simona, As you've found, it's often difficult to keep someone's spirits up during chemo. Many other caregivers have recommended looking through old scrapbooks or photo ... -
Generally, yes. "Red Devil" or "Red Death" nicknames have evolved to describe the chemotherapy agent Adriamycin (also known as Doxorubicin) because of its vibrant red color... -
How do you care for a loved one recovering from cancer without making them feel helpless? — Oct 21, 2010Hello Anonymous, Caring for a recovering cancer patient can be difficult, and your situation is particularly tricky to address because a growth on the brain can mean many t... -
Post-surgical issues after colorectal cancer — Aug 06, 2010Dear Anonymous, You've got quite a lot going on right now. As you know, I'm not a physician, but I asked a member of my Medical Advisory Board and Board-certified oncologi... -
From your email, it seems like you are trying valiantly to help her, and she is lucky to have your care. However, she has some major difficulties, and the first piece of ad... -
What are the side effects of Gemzar chemotherapy treatment? — Jun 17, 2010Hello, Have you seen this website: http://www.gemzar.com/Pages/index.aspx It may be helpful to you, based on the type of cancer it is used to combat. -
How do we ask Dad to be more careful in the bathroom due to his bladder cancer chemotherapy? — Jun 17, 2010You've made an important observation about safety here. Obviously, you want to protect your family, especially your grandson, and I commend you for wanting to impact your f... -
What can help neck pain after chemo treatments? — Feb 09, 2010This kind of pain is not usually associated with chemotherapy, but my father had this as well. We found, strangely enough, that it was the positioning of the pillows in the... -
You're in good company. I've had several questions about patients with neoplasms lately, many from caregivers experiencing things like you are. Let's start with a couple o... -
What can we expect in the final stages of renal cancer? — Dec 11, 2009You've been so strong for your family, while several things are going on. Let's address each one. First off, your dad's situation: From what you've told me, it certainly s... -
How can I keep active with lung cancer? — Dec 11, 2009You likely have the double dilemma of low energy from your disease and a change in lung function, which makes it hard to catch your breath or do deep breathing. As you know... -
The first organization I'd suggest contacting is called Partnership for Prescription Assistance. Their contact info is:www.pparx.org888-477-2669The drug companies that make... -
Do drug companies help pay for chemotherapy? — Nov 10, 2009Drug companies help pay for chemotherapy in two ways: clinical trials and patient assistance programs. You can read more about clinical trials here.Patient Assistance progr... -
My mom is undergoing chemo - but she won't wash her hands! — Nov 02, 2009This can be so frustrating, but hang in there. You need to understand why she is not doing that. My guess is that extra step takes energy out of her that she may not want t...
