Aug 11, 2023
"We have to be in charge, but we have to build our tribe, our
friends, our family, and our medical people." - Deb Krier
Hello! Welcome to the Aging Pearls Podcast, where we're
dedicated to providing dental pearls for all those concerned with
the oral care needs of our aging population. I am Dr. Christie
Hogue, and today, we sit down with Deb Krier, a breast cancer
survivor and advocate, to discuss the need for patient advocacy,
effective communication, and human connection in healthcare,
emphasizing the significance of open dialogue, caregiver
involvement, and embracing life's challenges.
Deb Krier is a coalition builder and warrior who is rewriting
the playbook on how to L.I.V.E. with cancer. Diagnosed with Stage 4
Triple Positive Breast Cancer in 2015, she has seen what happens
when cancer has people and is on a mission to ensure that we are no
longer “fine” with cancer by energizing our voices and expanding
our choices.
[00:00 - 08:01] Navigating Cancer Care
and Advocacy
- Deb Krier is a breast cancer survivor and coalition builder.
She shares her unexpected path from stage zero to stage four
diagnosis, highlighting patient advocacy and communication with
medical experts
- Deb's personal stories reveal the need for patients to engage
proactively in their care. She discusses navigating online medical
information and stresses doctors' role in providing clear
guidance
- Deb encourages people to be their own advocates and ask
questions of their medical personnel
- Dr. Google is the worst thing we can do when it comes to
medical information
[07:27 - 14:33] Deb's Insights on
Patient-Caregiver-Medical Professional Dynamics
- Deb advocates proactive communication between patients,
caregivers, and medical professionals, emphasizing the significance
of ensuring critical information reaches all parties
- She underscores the role of supportive individuals during
crucial medical discussions while stressing doctors' responsibility
to provide clear instructions in both verbal and written
formats
- Personal insights into emotional processing during medical
diagnoses, highlighting the importance of a trusted companion for
information retention, are shared
[14:33 - 21:24] Embracing Life's
Journey: The L.I.V.E. Philosophy from "Trying Not to
Die
- Deb introduces the unique perspective behind her website's
name, sharing how her hospitalization experience led to the
realization that individuals often prioritize survival to the point
of forgetting to truly live
- She breaks down the acronym L.I.V.E., which forms the
foundation of her website's philosophy. It emphasizes leading one's
support network, invigorating the soul, voicing emotions honestly,
and elevating one's mindset to embrace life fully
- Deb encourages people to advocate for themselves and their
family members, as well as remember that everyone expresses
emotions differently
- Finally, Deb inspires patients, healthcare providers, and
caregivers to embrace the human aspect of healthcare, promoting a
culture of empathy, understanding, and connection on the journey
toward well-being
Key Quote:
"And so when I talk to medical people, I tell them, you
know, please remember that we are people; we're not patients."
- Deb Krier
Connect with Deb!
Here are the links to our resources:
Website:
https://tryingnottodie.live/
Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahkrier/
Connect with Me!
You can connect with me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and
visit my website https://www.mouthmirrorsllc.com/ to learn
more.
LEAVE A REVIEW + And share this podcast with someone who wants
awareness of the oral and systemic health of our aging population!
Click here to listen to our previous episodes.
Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review!