Coping with the grief of a thousand tiny losses
When you or someone you know is suspected of having a rare cancer like myeloma, it is natural to prepare for the worst. You…
The Unspoken Weight— Samuel Ike
Samuel Ike blends his lived experience as a caregiver for his mother, who was diagnosed with myeloma in 2022, with his professional background writing on health and wellness. He’s contributed to Meer.com, Venture Magazine, and Long Sweet Valuable, distilling complex medical topics into relatable narratives. Samuel’s column focuses on the intersection of emotional resilience and practical caregiving, offering humor, hard-won wisdom, and actionable advice. Based in Nigeria, he’s passionate about music, travel, and writing stories that make patients and caregivers feel seen. His mission is to turn isolation into connection, one column at a time.
Becoming a caregiver meant adopting a new vocabulary
Ever since my mum was diagnosed with myeloma, I’ve had to rewrite my vocabulary. My days are no longer filled with deadlines and projects, but rather neutrophil levels and platelet counts. Acronyms such as “CRAB” (the diagnostic criteria for myeloma) and drug names that sound similar to…
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The caregiver’s inevitable process of unlearning
I am learning to unlearn certain things. Throughout my life, I was taught that if you work hard, you will succeed. I was also taught…
For a myeloma caregiver, being seen is a gift
It happened at the drugstore. My shoulders were tight as I leaned against the counter. It was the fourth time that evening that I was…
Learning to reframe the stories we tell ourselves as caregivers
As a caregiver to my mum, who has myeloma, I usually experience some moments of quietness. One of these moments might be when we’re…
How to offer caregivers help that actually helps
“Let me know if you need anything.” No matter how well-intentioned that statement sounds, I personally believe it’s the most useless thing someone can say…
When self-care feels like another thing on the to-do list
My therapist advised me to engage in more meditation. A friend sent me a link to a YouTube channel dedicated to yoga. In the waiting…
Feeling relieved, then guilty, when my mum falls asleep
The most peaceful part of my day starts around 10:36 p.m. That’s when my mother has taken her last pills, I’ve checked her vitals, and…
The things I miss about life before caregiving
I miss deliberately and intentionally placing my phone on silent mode. I miss the luxury of my phone battery dying, of my being out of…
Planning for the future when even tomorrow feels fragile
A few weeks ago, my cousin asked if I would join her family for her oldest son’s wedding ceremony this November in Dubai. “We’ve started…
