Continue reading »]]> The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs: Insanely Different Prithe Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs: Insanely Different Principles for Breakthrough Success Nciples for Breakthrough Success by Carmine Gallo

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this book, Carmine provides seven principles for unleashing innovation. The principles are supported by examples from various industries, which helps to understand how to apply the principles within different scenarios. I recommend the book to those seeking new perspectives about the concept of innovation.

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Continue reading »]]> The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs: How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience by Carmine Gallo

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Carmine Gallo does a great service to presenters by sharing a successful methodology for planning, preparing, and delivery of presentations. I appreciated the sharing of research at keys points in the book that underscores the reason for a particular approach. Carmine summarizes the material several times with key examples to help the reader internalize the learning. My mind is whirling with ideas to improve my own presentations using the methods described in this book. I recommend this book to those that participate in any phase of presenting as a learning tool to improve presentations and delivery skills.

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Continue reading »]]> Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery by Garr Reynolds

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Presentation Zen provides numerous ways to enhance presentations and delivery of presentations. Garr discusses the many things that most of us hate about many presentations but we still continue to see them used almost on a daily basis.

My own company is bent on developing “slidumentation.” Like Garr, I agree this is poor approach to providing process documentation. Even before reading this book, I mentioned several times to senior management how the context of the documentation is lost the moment the information session about that process documentation is completed. Garr provides several tips to overcome this problem.

I truly enjoyed the techniques shared about simplifying visuals to enhance the presentation rather than visuals that compete for the focus on the information the speaker provides. I am thankful for my mentors who have shared some techniques with me in the past and I look forward to implementing some of the techniques presented in this book.

I recommend this book to those that regularly present information. The techniques, when implemented, will improve your capabilities as a presenter.

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Continue reading »]]> Self-Printed: The Sane Person’s Guide to Self-Publishing: How to Use Digital Self-Publishing, Social Media and Common Sense to Start Earning A Living … or Shouting ‘Down With The Big Six!’) by Catherine Ryan Howard

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Catherine, in her book ‘Self-Printed’, provides solid advice to aspiring authors and independent publishers. The lessons she shares from her experience paralleled my personal experience closely. I just had to learn the harder way because I was unaware of her book at the time I worked on my own. I recommend that those aspiring to publish independently first read this book. You will minimize your headaches and get a big picture view along with some details for delivering a successful product.

In the chapter, How to Sell Self-Published Books, she answered some questions that I could not locate through other searches or material. The topic about the relationship between print-on-demand and brick and mortar bookstores.

The only minor shortcoming that I noticed, probably because of my technical bent, was coverage about graphics. Rather than provide details, Catherine relied on her graphic designer. Although available elsewhere, coverage of graphics (resolution, conversion, and other topics) would prove useful to those new to independent publishing.

I recommend Catherine’s book for those considering taking the plunge into the independent publishing area.

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Continue reading »]]> May is National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.

Over 10,000 people are diagnosed with glioblastoma each year in the United States and nearly 60,000 people when accounting for all primary brain and central nervous system tumors.

In recognition of National Brain Tumor Awareness Month, I am
donating $3 to the National Brain Tumor Society for every “Suddenly a Caregiver” paperback sold through Amazon and Createspace during the month of May 2013.

Q: Why are you only donating for sales through Amazon and Createspace?

A: I received reports in near real-time though the Amazon and Createspace sales channels. Other sales channels have reporting delays of up to three months.

Continue reading »]]> Caring for someone that is seriously ill is difficult and time-consuming work. For the new caregiver, absorbing the new responsibility into an already busy life can be overwhelming. This article provides some advice about taking care of yourself to enhance your effectiveness as a caregiver and serves to reduce your stress at the same time.

Focus on Your Own Health and Well-being

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving report, about 17% of the caregivers reported a decline in their own health since the start of the caregiving. Just eight months into my caregiving experience, I suffered a heart attack. The event served to remind me of the need to care for myself. I recovered quickly from the heart attack but the event reminded me that I could not perform my care giving responsibilities properly if my own heath suffered. Therefore, it is important to underscore the need for caregivers to find the time to take care of your own physical and mental wellbeing. Ensuring your own health and well-being prevents you from becoming ineffective as a caregiver.

Time with Family and Friends

The caregiving report also revealed that over half of caregivers stated that caregiving reduced the time they spent with their family and friends. Those who sacrificed that time with family and friends reported a higher stress level than those who maintained their time with family and friends (47% compared to 14%). It is easy to withdrawal from friends and family during the caregiving experience because of the new demands on one’s life. However, as this study reports, withdrawing or minimizing time with family and friends can lead to increased stress levels.

Prolonged Stress and Burnout

Prolonged stress can lead eventually to burnout. Burnout is often associated with overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of detachment, and a sense of becoming ineffective. Anxiety and depression are common side effects reported by caregivers. Learning about stress and burnout along with the effects on your personal well-being are necessary for early recognition and application of preventative techniques or treatments. The caregiver role often includes riding the emotional roller coaster that results from stress and uncertainty about the future. For me, one beneficial technique was listening to friends and family. They often recognized or sensed the stress that I felt before I did. Listening, followed by actions to face and address the stress were critical to managing my personal well-being.

Find Time for Yourself

Finding time to care for yourself is a critical step toward maintaining your own well-being as a caregiver. What works for one person might not work for another so it is important that you find what works for you. Some people share that exercising, meditating, or listening to music provides the alone time needed to help relieve stress. Others share that going to the movies, taking walks, hiking, or going for a coffee with a friend provided the time needed to reflect on themselves. The bottom line is that you must find what works for you. Find some time for yourself to allow your own body and mind to recuperate and re-energize.

Caring for your own health and well-being is not a selfish act. Some believe that focusing solely on the needs of the care recipient is the noble and correct thing to do. However, a need for balance exists, especially in a prolonged caregiving situation. Caring for yourself is actually a selfless endeavor since taking care of yourself enables you to take care of your loved one more effectively than you could if you allowed stress to dominate your life.

References

National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP (2009). Caregiving in the U.S. 2009). Retrieved from http://www.caregiving.org/pdf/research/Caregiving_in_the_US_2009_full_report.pdf

Continue reading »]]> Interesting articles related to glioblastoma and caregivers that I read this week.

Running for Jennie – Kristin Elmore

http://www2.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/2012/03/running-for-jennie.html

Kristin cared for her friend Jennie, who battled glioblastoma – a stage 4 brain tumor cancer. She was impressed by the courage and strength that Jennie displayed in her fight. I am encouraged to hear this theme on a frequent basis. I am strengthened to both witness and hear about such strength and courage. I am also grateful to hear of Jennie’s unselfish and fearless approach toward organ donation. I share a very similar story in my book Suddenly a Caregiver.

Understanding Glioblastoma, Part 1

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=466024256803333

Neuro-oncologist John de Groot, M.D., discusses the basics of glioblastoma, a malignant primary brain tumor, including risk factors, symptoms and diagnosis.

Understanding Glioblastoma, Part 2

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=466748153397610

MD Anderson neuro-oncologist John de Groot, M.D., explains treatment, clinical trials and research for glioblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor. He also offers advice.

Early Results of Activartis AV0113 Cancer Immunotherapy in Glioblastoma Trial Reveal Promising Trend

http://pipelinereview.com/index.php/2013041150680/Vaccines/Early-Results-of-Activartis-AV0113-Cancer-Immunotherapy-in-Glioblastoma-Trial-Reveal-Promising-Trend.html

Continue reading »]]> Four interesting articles about caregiving for 8 Apr 2013

An Open Letter to Men Who Are Caregivers
One man shares the personal character growth he experienced while caring for his wife, an Alzheimer’s patient.

Caregiving and Taxes
Amy Goyer provides some tips related to caregiving and taxes. I also provide some information in my book -Suddenly a Caregiver – about this topic in chapter 12 – Legal, Financial, and Insurance Issues. A little bit of organization and record keeping may lead to tax deductions that help offset the costs associated with caregiving.

Tips from Fellow Caregivers
Unfrazzle shares a list of tips from fellow caregivers to help alleviate the stress associated with caregiving.

Cancer Caregiver Roles – What you need to know
John J. Garnand, PhD, answers questions about his book.

self-care for caregivers: tips on balancing your own needs with those you care for
Kaitlyn Teabo reminds caregivers to take care of themselves by sharing three tips. “Find some time for yourself to allow your own body and mind to recuperate and reenergize. This is not a selfish act. It is selfless in the fact that taking care of yourself enables you to take care of your loved one more effectively than you could if you allowed stress to dominate your life” – from Suddenly a Caregiver, Chapter 14 Caregiver Stress and Burnout.

Continue reading »]]> I am offering a special discount on the purchase of the book- Suddenly a Caregiver - now through May 4, 2013 for those who like this page.

Visit the Suddenly a Caregiver book page for additional details about the book.

Read reviews on Amazon.

Watch Book Trailer

Continue reading »]]> I am grateful to host this article written by guest contributor Cameron Von St. James. Cameron shares his family caregiving experience and the lessons he learned through the experience.

Becoming My Wife’s Caregiver Made Me Stronger

Written by guest contributor Cameron Von St. James

November 21, 2005 is a day I will never forget. My wife Heather was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, and I suddenly became caregiver to someone with cancer. I was ill-prepared, to say the least. Our first and only child, Lily, was only three months old. Heather and I thought we would be getting ready to happily celebrate Lily’s first holiday season and buy her first Christmas presents. Instead, our lives fell into chaos.

After her cancer diagnosis, I became both husband and caregiver to my wife, and there was more than one occasion when fear and responsibility overwhelmed me. I sometimes found myself crying on the kitchen floor in a moment of weakness. Still, the feelings of fear and hopelessness would always subside so that I could continue being strong for Heather. I had to be. I was her husband, after all.

Being a caregiver to someone with cancer is difficult on many levels. Our daily routines were shattered and replaced with uncertainty and stress. Heather and I had both been working full-time prior to her diagnosis, but now she was unable to work and I was only working part-time. She was being treated by a doctor in Boston who specialized in mesothelioma, Dr. David Sugarbaker. I went to doctor’s appointments with her, arranged all the travel to and from Boston and took care of Lily, all while trying to keep up with work and bills. My to-do list was overwhelming, to say the least. At the same time, I had to face my fears that my wife might die from cancer. I worried that I would end up a penniless widower raising a young daughter alone. I tried not to let Heather see it, but being her caregiver was the toughest test I had ever faced.

Luckily, Heather and I were blessed with help from family and friends, and even from complete strangers. If there’s any advice I can offer to those recently diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers, it would be that if someone offers help, take them up on it. If there are people you can call upon to help lighten your load, do it. Large or small, any favor is one less thing for you to worry about. It was also a great reminder to Heather and I that we were not alone and that there were people who cared about us.

Being a caregiver to someone with cancer is not a job you can simply walk away from. I had to learn to allow myself to have bad days, but to be careful not to let the fear or anger take me hostage. Instead, I focused on never giving up hope.

Although it took years for life to return to something like a normal routine, I am happy to say that Heather beat the odds. She went through mesothelioma surgery, radiation and chemotherapy to fight this awful disease, and I was by her side through each new challenge. Seven years after her diagnosis, Heather remains cancer free, and I am a stronger person for having survived the struggle alongside her as caregiver.

The ordeal also reminded me that time is precious. Two years after Heather’s diagnosis, while working full time and caring for both her and Lily, I made the decision to follow my dream of going back to school full-time to study information technology.

Learning to deal with the stress that came with being Heather’s caregiver, balancing a multitude of time commitments and fighting cancer by her side made me stronger. I got my information technology degree, graduated with honors and was even chosen as the graduation speaker for my class. In my speech, the message I shared was to never give up hope and to realize that each of us has it within us to be capable of accomplishing more than we could ever imagine, if only we believe in ourselves.

Read more from Cameron - http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/cameron/