Blog

As a former oncology social worker, I spent five years counseling end-of-life cancer patients in a hospital setting. It has been a great privilege to bear witness to the courage, grief, pain and self-discovery of my patients who were nearing the end of their lives. I recognized the immense pain and fear that my patients felt when it came to talking about death and how these conversations were avoided so frequently. During this journey with my patients, I realized and apprecia

Be there, even if that means just listening to them. Listen to your partner! We better process our thoughts and emotions by talking about them -- we might not always come to a conclusion or know every answer, but just talking it out can help. Remind them that it is okay to show their pain and what they are feeling because you will be there to listen, to learn, to understand, and to support them. Encourage an open line of communication and learning to best understand what it i

Opening up to someone you don’t know very well can be difficult, especially when it is about something that feels very personal. Chronic illnesses are not always going to be visible, and it is ultimately your decision when to disclose them. If you have been on a few dates with someone and you see the potential for a long-term relationship with this person, definitely consider having this conversation! Telling your date about a long-term health condition can be scary, but you