Caregiving at the End | Andy Clinnin

On June 28, 2022, we released an episode featuring Ellen Dunphy, a 35-year old patient with a terminal diagnosis of gastric cancer who had been under the care of co-host Dr. Tyler Johnson. Ellen passed away a week later. Accompanying every step on her cancer journey was her husband, Andy Clinnin. In this episode, Andy joins us to share his experiences as Ellen’s caregiver and primary source of emotional support. Over the course of our conversation, we explore Andy and Ellen’s relationship from its beginnings all the way to her final days and after. Andy’s reflections on these challenging moments, perhaps paradoxically, has much to teach us about what it looks like to courageously make the most of life, however much of it remains. 

In this episode, you will hear about:

• A synopsis of how Ellen came to be in Dr. Johnson’s care - 1:03
• How Andy and Ellen met, and their relationship leading up to her diagnosis - 6:44
• Andy’s perspective on Ellen’s diagnosis - 10:15
• What it was like for Andy to learn about Ellen’s diagnosis and how he adjusted to being her caregiver - 16:26
• Andy’s reflections on the experience of having Dr. Johnson as Ellen’s oncologist - 21:39
• How Andy helped Ellen think through her priorities at the end-of-life - 27:15
• How being with his partner until the end has changed the way Andy sees life - 35:46
• How California’s End of Life Treatment Act allowed Ellen to control how her life story ended - 43:14
• Andy’s advice for other caregivers on how to best take care of themselves so they may best provide care to their loved ones - 51:33 

Ellen Dunphy’s one-woman play “Imaginary Endings” about facing her cancer diagnosis can be viewed on YouTube.

Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.

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