MSI Press Blog

  This week, a study out of the VA system quietly rewrote the rules on medication safety for older adults with cancer. Among 380,000 patients, nearly 4 in 10 were prescribed drugs now flagged as potentially inappropriate—not because they’re inherently harmful, but because they quietly erode resilience. SSRIs, anticholinergics, and certain sedatives top the list. The tool behind this revelation is called GO-PIMs —Geriatric Oncology Potentially Inappropriate Medications. It doesn’t shame or scold. It simply asks: Does this drug help or hinder the body’s ability to withstand cancer and its treatment? Each additional risky medication increased frailty odds by 66%. That’s not a typo. Frailty isn’t just a clinical label. It’s the difference between walking to the mailbox or needing a ramp. Between tolerating chemo or being hospitalized for side effects. Between autonomy and dependence. For caregivers, this means vigilance. For clinicians, it means recalibration. For survivors, it mea...

  Cancer doesn’t just affect the patient—it reshapes the rhythm of a household, the language of love, and the meaning of time. But even in the midst of treatment schedules and uncertainty, couples and families can cultivate moments of joy, connection, and dignity. Here are a few ways to maintain a quality life while walking through cancer together: 🫱🏽‍🫲🏽 1. Redefine Togetherness Create new rituals : A nightly foot rub, a shared journal, or watching the same sunrise from different rooms—small acts become sacred. Honor silence : Not every moment needs words. Presence itself can be healing. 🧭 2. Clarify Roles, Gently Shift without shame : If one partner becomes a caregiver, acknowledge the emotional toll and allow space for grief and grace. Invite help : Let extended family or friends take on practical tasks—meals, errands, childcare—so emotional energy can be preserved. 🧺 3. Prioritize the Ordinary Celebrate the mundane : Folding laundry together, cooking a simple me...

  The Financial Aspects of Dying: Responsibilities, Expenses, and Emotional Decisions Facing the end of life brings a unique set of emotional and financial challenges. For many, managing expenses during this time can become overwhelming, as the responsibilities of ensuring comfort and care often clash with the reality of dwindling resources. The emotional weight of this period can lead to decisions that, though comforting in the moment, may not always be financially logical. Understanding the costs and responsibilities involved in this stage of life is essential for navigating it with clarity. One of the first financial responsibilities is the cost of adapting a home to accommodate the needs of a person who is ill or elderly. These adaptations can range from simple, affordable fixes—like purchasing a towel for extra grip—to more expensive, long-term investments such as a chair lift. A towel, for example, might be used cleverly to help someone pull themselves up from a seated positi...

  Today’s entry is for those whose cancer journeys don’t end with one diagnosis—or even one kind of cancer. My friend has been battling breast cancer for over five years. She’s endured a double mastectomy and the removal of all reproductive organs. Now, she faces surgery for melanoma. I, too, have had cancer—adenocarcinoma removed from my face. But our paths, while both marked by courage, stress, and trepidation, differ in ways that matter. 🔍 Understanding the Differences Type of Cancer : Breast cancer and melanoma are biologically distinct. Breast cancer originates in breast tissue, often hormone-sensitive. Melanoma begins in pigment-producing skin cells and is known for its potential to spread quickly. Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that forms in mucus-secreting glands. Mine was localized and removed surgically. Extent of Disease : My cancer was caught early and treated definitively. My friend’s experience is systemic and ongoing. Her body has endured multiple ...