While living her everyday life and enjoying a concert, Rae Anne discovered a lump on the side of her neck. Not knowing what it could be, as she felt okay, she left quickly to schedule appointments with various doctors. Within a few weeks, the lump grew and she was diagnosed with stage 4 head and neck cancer. Rae Anne received several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and was sent home to wait to see if the treatment worked. During this time, the palliative care team called which changed her life for the better, answering questions and providing monitoring during an otherwise lonely and scary time. 

“Palliative care was the most valuable part of treatment because it enabled me to feel like I was going to feel better again. There was an opportunity and a team of caregivers that were going to make sure that my next step in my cancer journey was smooth.”

Rae Anne is now living cancer-free with her twin children, and running her nonprofit. This is Rae Anne's story.

Narrated by Nick Ciavatta
Produced by Melissa Baron, Lisa Morgan, and Nick Ciavatta

A Quality Life: Rae Anne's Palliative Care Story

GetPalliativeCare.org's podcast, A Quality Life, tells the real-life stories of people living with a serious illness, and their families. Each episode explores how palliative care specialists have helped to manage the symptoms and stress of their serious illness, and improve quality of life

A Quality Life: Rae Anne's Palliative Care Story

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