Being Present as a Cancer Care Partner with Patricia Fischer on the Patient Activation Network

“It is important to continue to be present. I remember years ago sitting with a friend eating ice cream and watching the sunset. I remember her saying that it is really cool having a friend that I can sit with and not say anything,” recalled author Patricia W. Fischer on how to talk to a friend who has just been diagnosed with cancer. “That is the kind of friend you have to be. You don’t have to fix it or change it, you just need to be present.” In this episode, Patricia W. Fischer discusses her writing and how her best friends journey with ovarian cancer inspired a character in Lone Star Love.

About Patricia W. Fischer

Patricia W. Fischer is romance author, journalist, and retired pediatric/adult critical care nurse who’s made her homes in Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Missouri. After having a fantastic time at th

e University of Texas (Hook ’em), she decided actually attending class would help her reach her long term goals faster. She buckled down in eight years earned a Licensed Vocational Nurse certification, then an Associates in Nursing, and finally a Bachelor’s of Science in Journalism.

During that time, Patricia worked in multiple fields of nursing including medical/surgical, recovery room, orthopedics, telemetry (ICU step down), and critical care before she settled into the unpredictability of the emergency room. For five years, she worked in a general ER before she ended up at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, a Level 1 pediatric trauma center. She retired from nursing in 2002 and started writing full time. She has written for many publications including iVillage, Hot Mom’s Club, Modern Mom, Dallas Child, American Journal of Nursing, The Writer’s Edge, Nursing Spectrum, and Chicken Soup for the Soul Series.

For the past two years, she’s had a monthly book picks segment on San Antonio Living, a local morning show on WOAI. She’s a member of the San Antonio Romance Authors (SARA). After her best friend, since the womb, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Patricia became an active advocate by sharing educational and awareness materials and now proudly wears teal in her hair.

Episode Details

About Patricia
Making the transition from nurse to storyteller
Writing a romance series
Incorporating her best friend’s ovarian cancer journey into Lone Star Love
How cancer and storytelling made the bond stronger between two lifelong friends
What to say (and what not to say) when someone you know is diagnosed with cancer
How to break through the walls of isolation
Getting candid about cancer
Lessons learned from a friend with cancer
Advocating for herself at the advice of a friend
Our Way Forward

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Patient Activation Network 46: Being Present as a Cancer Care Partner with Patricia W. Fischer