Getting Better Care and Support During Late-Stage Cancer
- Jelly Roll and his wife are supporting her father’s metastatic cancer journey. They’ve moved him closer to their home to ensure he gets the care he needs while in hospice care. SurvivorNet experts say a support group often filled with close family members or friends helps you navigate the cancer journey.
- Hospice care provides comfort care but does not attempt to cure the illness. It is recommended families faced with potential hospice care talk to their care team early enough before pursuing hospice care to take advantage of all the comforts it provides.
- Palliative care is a type of care that’s meant to address the symptoms and side effects of your cancer or its treatment. These symptoms may include psychological experiences like stress and fear and physical experiences like pain and discomfort. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines palliative care as “an approach to care that addresses the person as a whole, not just their disease.”
- Studies have shown that palliative care, which encompasses many different support services from symptom management to emotional support and financial help, can be beneficial when it’s incorporated at the start of your cancer journey.
Country singer Jelly Roll’s father-in-law is in the middle of an emotional stage 4 cancer battle. However, the family of the megastar is focusing on a ray of hope Jelly Roll’s wife, Bunnie Xo, shared on social media about her resilient father, Bill.
“Everybody keeps asking about Bill and here’s the update: We got a new hip!” Bunnie Xo (Allysa DeFord) said on a recent TikTok video post.
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Bill has been under hospice care since late last year while battling an undisclosed stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Bunnie has shared periodic updates on her dad in recent months.
In another social media video post, Jelly Roll (Jason Bradley DeFord) helps his father-in-law into a room surrounded by loved ones. Once settled, Jelly Roll kissed Bill on the forehead before taking family photos.
@xomgitsbunnie Replying to @brandinicolej as rowdy as ever lol #bunnieandbill ♬ original sound – Bunnie Xo 🪄
“Your heart shines with how much family matters. You’re an inspiration in ways that actually matter,” Instagram user Alicia Otto commented on the touching moment.
Bill’s health has been a significant concern for the family for months. Last year, Bill’s private cancer diagnosis was made public, although the exact diagnosis has not been revealed. He’s leaned on his daughter Bunnie to support him during this trying time.
“Sadly, the cancer has now spread into his bone marrow, and his bones are breaking; he can’t lift his arms, walk, barely eat, and he’s in so much pain you can’t even hug him,” Bunnie said, according to Taste of Country.
“I’ve been so blessed to have this time with him, and I thank God for helping heal my inner little girl as well as my dad’s inner child,” Bunnie previously said in an Instagram story KEAN Radio reports.
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While in hospice care, Bill receives a steady stream of support from his care team to offer him the necessary palliative care. During palliative care, the patient is provided specialized medical care to manage symptoms associated with their medical condition.
Helping Patients Better Understand Palliative Care
Hospice and Palliative Care
“Hospice care focuses on the care, comfort, and quality of life of a person with a serious illness who is approaching the end of life,” the National Institute of Health (NIH) explains.
Hospice care provides comfort care but does not attempt to cure the illness. It’s recommended families faced with potential hospice care talk to their care team early enough before pursuing hospice care to take advantage of all the comforts it provides.
“Starting hospice early may be able to provide months of meaningful care and quality time with loved ones,” the NIH says.
WATCH: Palliative care improves your overall treatment by focusing on comfort.
During palliative care, the patient is provided specialized medical care to manage symptoms associated with their medical condition. While this form of care may also be included in a cancer patient’s care plan if hospice care is not involved, this treatment may be “intended to help cure” the illness instead of hospice care, which does not and solely focuses on comfort.
“It’s not the same thing as hospice. It’s really important to recognize that palliative care, whether provided by your oncologist or by a specialty palliative care team, is an important adjunct to your oncologic care,” Dr. Lisa Diver, a gynecologic oncologist and Medical Director at ImmunoGen, tells SurvivorNet.
“It doesn’t mean that your doctor is going to stop treatment or even wants to talk about that, but simply that he or she thinks it’s important to support all aspects of your health. That could be pain control, [relief for] nausea or constipation, or mental health care. All of these other symptoms that commonly arise and are intertwined inextricably with your cancer care,” Dr. Diver added.
Power of Support During Your Journey
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, having family and friend support is hugely beneficial. According to New York-based psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik, receiving the diagnosis “can be a very overwhelming experience” that requires finding support outside of your usual circles.
WATCH: What to do after a cancer diagnosis?
“Some people don’t need to go outside of their family and friends circle. They feel like they have enough support there,” Plutchik previously told SurvivorNet.
“But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it is important to reach out to a mental health professional.”
Dr. Plutchik recommends the following three steps for anyone who just found out they had cancer.
Seek additional support if you need it, which may include speaking to a mental health professional or joining a support group. If needed, find a mental health professional who has experience helping people dealing with things like cancer. Make sure your care team stays connected. Your care team may include friends, loved ones, therapists, and doctors.
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are in the middle of your cancer journey or caring for a loved one who is diagnosed with cancer, asking questions about late-stage care can be helpful. To help you begin your conversation, consider the following questions.
- How will I know if I need palliative care to aid my cancer treatment?
- How does palliative care differ from the care I’m getting now?
- Who provides palliative care?
- Will my insurance cover palliative care?
- Is there a moment when palliative care becomes hospice care?
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