As Brain Tumor Awareness Month comes to a close, I wanted to share this interview with you. My family has been personally impacted by brain tumors and I know some of yours have as well.
I had a front row seat to Dr. Edward Shaw’s compassionate care as a medical student interested in radiation oncology. During his afternoon follow-up clinics, Dr. Shaw often spent an hour or more with brain tumor survivors and their families. In tiny exam rooms, he discussed their MRI results but also listened to their struggles with the often-irreversible effects of brain radiation.
Dr. Shaw is a giant in the field of brain tumors. He literally wrote the book on brain tumor pathology, established the standard treatment for low-grade gliomas, published over four hundred articles and was chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Wake Forest School of Medicine from 1995-2008. He retired from radiation oncology to care for his wife who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He also pursued a degree in counseling.
In this conversation, we discuss Dr. Shaw’s path to medicine, creating patient centered care, and his practice changing clinical trials. He also shares the fourteen words that every person can use to become a better listener.
Dr. Shaw’s recent book, co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman, is Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade: The 5 Love Languages and the Alzheimer's Journey. Sharing pieces of his own experiences caring for his wife, Dr. Shaw discusses how care-givers and care-receivers can use the 5 love languages to address the challenges that accompany Alzheimer’s Disease.
You can find out more about Dr. Shaw’s current work supporting dementia patients and their loved ones here.
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