Brain Cancer: Five Suggestions for Compassionate Caregiving Stan Goldberg June 1, 2015 Cancer, Thoughts of the Day The death of Beau Biden resurrected memories of caring for my brother-in-law who had a form of brain cancer called Glioblastoma. My wife, two adult...
Thought of the Day: Part 1 Grief Hierarchy- It Shouldn’t Exist Stan Goldberg January 20, 2015 Grieving and Recovery, Thoughts of the Day Everyone has lost a partner, friend, parent, job, ability, pet, or object that created joy. It is something viewed as irreplaceable by the person...
Coping With Chronic Pain: The Willingness to Risk Stan Goldberg December 30, 2014 Chronic illness, Thoughts of the Day THOUGHT OF THE DAY. For two years, the first thing I experienced when I woke and the last thing I felt before falling asleep was pain in my thigh...
Why Being a Cheerleader for Cancer Survivors May Not Be Helpful. Stan Goldberg December 11, 2014 Cancer, Thoughts of the Day 4 Comments A few days ago I discussed the tricky balance between accepting the realities of cancer vs. the need for hope with Joni Aldrich on The Cancer...
You’re Putting Me in A Nursing Facility! Why Can’t You Care For Me At Home? Stan Goldberg December 5, 2014 Aging, Thoughts of the Day THOUGHT OF THE DAY: A few weeks ago Steve Moran published a three-part series in the Sacramento Bee on “the terrible state of affairs” in skilled...
Anticipating Your Death: A Transformative Exercise Stan Goldberg December 4, 2014 End of Life, Thoughts of the Day 2 Comments In 1998 Steven Levine Wrote “One Year to Live,” where he asked readers to think about what they would do if their death occurred in one year. I...
La Bohème: A Old Lesson in Living and Dying Stan Goldberg December 3, 2014 End of Life, Thoughts of the Day 7 Comments Last night with my wife I attended La Boheme, an opera by Puccini showing how little attitudes about dying changed since 1896 when the opera was...
Do Physicians Fear Death?–How It Affects Your Health Care Stan Goldberg November 26, 2014 End of Life, Thoughts of the Day 3 Comments Although many physicians fear death, my oncologist doesn't. The relationship I have with him is one I would like with everyone in the medical...
When Your Cancer Says “Hello.” Stan Goldberg November 19, 2014 Cancer, Thoughts of the Day 10/29/14-Although I’ve lived with prostate cancer for twelve years, it’s not something that I dwell upon. But inevitably, at least once a day, it...
Joyful Aging—Adapt, Don’t Fight Stan Goldberg June 24, 2014 Aging 19 Comments When I see commercials on how to recreate the body I had at 20-years-of-age by applying a magical cream that isn’t sold in any regulated stores and...
Understanding Aging: We’re Not Children Stan Goldberg July 18, 2012 Aging 22 Comments The good news is we are living longer. The bad news is it’s taking us longer to die. Soygul Rinpoche, the Tibetan monk and philosopher said that “Death is no big deal. You breathe in, you breathe out, and then you don’t breathe in anymore.”
When You Can’t Let Go Stan Goldberg April 25, 2012 Grieving and Recovery 24 Comments Whenever I hear about the importance of letting go of the past, I think about a conversation I had with my mother more than thirty years ago. She...
Feeling like a 1960 Edsel?-You’re Just Aging Stan Goldberg March 1, 2012 Aging 14 Comments When I was in college I would take whatever I was driving and offer it and $50 to a used car dealer for anything that ran on his lot with a current...
I’m Different: Illness-based Identity Stan Goldberg February 15, 2012 Chronic illness 24 Comments How we view ourselves—our identity—is based on what we do, the roles we play, activities we enjoy, affiliations we have, the values that...
Saying Goodbye to Your Dying Loved One: A Tribute Party Stan Goldberg February 1, 2012 End of Life 22 Comments Excerpt from Leaning Into Sharp Points" Practical Guidance and Nurturing Support for Caregivers. One of the first things Dean did when I entered his...
She says “I have cancer.” Now, what do you say? Stan Goldberg January 4, 2012 Cancer 62 Comments There are 12 million of us in the United States who live with cancer and the number rises every year as researchers find new drugs to extend our lives. How will you respond when you hear the words "I have cancer?"
How Can I Be a Compassionate Caregiver? Stan Goldberg November 7, 2011 End of Life 10 Comments Caring for someone with a chronic or terminal illness can bring out the best in us. It's easy if it is someone who shares our values. But how do we show compassionate care for someone with few redeeming qualities?
Reflections From New York, September 18th, 2001 Stan Goldberg September 7, 2011 Grieving and Recovery 16 Comments “Daddy, please come,” my daughter said on September 11th from New York City. Together, we watched the towers fall. Me, from the safety of my San Francisco home. She, from an office building in Rockefeller Plaza wondering if her friend survived.
Of Course You Remember Stan Goldberg July 7, 2011 Alzheimer’s/dementia, Poems 27 Comments Of course you remember she says. It was your sixtieth, and we came from across the country to express our love. I don’t remember, I say. But...
Through a Sealed Window Stan Goldberg July 4, 2011 End of Life, Poems 2 Comments Originally Published as Steve & Mac Stan Goldberg North Beach Beat, Arts and Literary Edition, December,...
