Welcome to the fourth episode of Care Partner's Compass: Navigating CRC on The Pivot (part 1).

Having backup plans, and being able to pivot quickly is essential, especially with a stage 4 colorectal cancer diagnosis.

In this episode, I talk about the need to pivot, what that entails, and some tips not just for care partners, but for friends and family. (Spoiler alert: Be there to listen and also do fun things)

Full transcription can be found on the website (http://carepartnerscompass.transistor.fm)

Host, producer/editor, and composer: Elsa Lankford

And all the thanks and hugs in the world to Kristine. You are amazing.

Please remember to share, subscribe, like, and rate the podcast.

Helpful links related to this episode:

• Colontown - they have great groups for liver mets and other metastasis locations, clinical trials, for CRC care partners and patients per geographical area, and some separate groups just for care partners, and just for patients. Very science-oriented.
• Fight CRC's Community of Champions - stories, Q&A, community, and resources for CRC patients and care partners.
• What's Next - Kristine's Spotify playlist for the first pivot. She creates a new playlist for each new part of this cancer journey.

• (01:40) - Confusion when entering CancerLand
• (02:47) - Thinking about backup plans, before you need them
• (03:52) - Ways to try to monitor CRC
• (05:32) - Reasons to pivot
• (05:56) - Keeping different timeframes in mind
• (07:13) - Hard to plan during a pivot, but hopefully friends and family can help and not create more stress
• (08:42) - Having your own care circle, like #TeamKristine, which may change over time
• (09:43) - Finding comfort in researching
• (11:18) - Finding the place between optimism and reality
• (12:06) - What do you need to do as a care partner during a pivot
• (13:00) - Our first pivot