Championing Caregiving: Ashley and Michael’s Journey

SPEAKER 01 : 0:01

Welcome to The Good News with Angie Austin. Now, with The Good News, here’s Angie.

SPEAKER 07 : 0:09

Hey there, friend. Angie Austin, Jim Stovall with The Good News. The title of his column this week is Overtime. I sure did a lot of that in my teens, 20s, and 30s. Welcome, Jim.

SPEAKER 02 : 0:20

Hey, always fun to be with you, Angie.

SPEAKER 07 : 0:22

All right, so we’d like to do a little catching up, you and I, because we’re also friends. And you know, I wrote to you right away. I was on my way to Chicago. I got a phone call in the car. And it was, I’d say, 7.30 or so on a Thursday night. And two hours away from Chicago, because we’re towing this giant Jeep. And I’m in this giant, almost like a big rig truck, right? So it’s six tons that I’m driving. So I’m already a little bit anxious, because this isn’t my thing anymore. and it’s 16 hours of a drive because we can’t really speed with that giant Jeep behind us. So anyway, I get a call, and this guy says to me, hi, I’m with your son. He was in an accident, and he’s bleeding a lot. His wrist is a really bad cut in his wrist, and so some guy who’s in the military is here, and he’s doing a tourniquet, and I think he might have some broken bones, but I think he’s going to be okay. And that’s the part I was waiting for, you know, like how’s his head, right? And so the airbags had gone off. He was going about 45. A lady turned in front of him. She had a flashing yellow, so she ran her light because he had a green. So we broadsided this giant expedition, right? So his car was totaled. The airbags went off. As you saw when I sent you the pictures, his phone, his iPhone folded in half. Folded in half from the airbag. So anyway… he has surgery actually today and um so he’s going to be okay but it’s um we’ve never had any accidents in the family so it’s just interesting that you know all the things you have to do but here jim is here’s the here’s the silver lining i got an email from the police officer raving about what a great young man my son is and how he handled himself so well because i wasn’t there His sisters had to race to the ER with another friend of ours driving them. And they did all the paperwork. They got the prescriptions. They were able to get access to the vehicle, which, as you know, takes like IDs and registration and a notarized letter. They were able to get into the vehicle, get all of their things, go to the doctor’s appointment with the top surgeon in the area. I mean, they did so many. The girls had to wrap him, you know, wrap his arms and everything all while we were not there.

SPEAKER 02 : 2:24

Wow. I know. That is terrifying to not be there and have to go through that.

SPEAKER 07 : 2:30

And just stunning that they handled it so well. They’re 15, 17, 19. So anyway, I’ll keep you up on this progress. But yeah, it looks like it’s probably about the best case scenario that we could have.

SPEAKER 02 : 2:42

Well, people have always debated whether children are a product of environment or heredity. But in either case, you can feel really good about your parenting.

SPEAKER 07 : 2:52

Yeah, I couldn’t believe the officer wrote to us. That was so cool. All right, so I want to now talk about your column, the reason why you’re here, Winner’s Wisdom column this week, Overtime. Tell us about Overtime.

SPEAKER 02 : 3:04

Well, Overtime is, obviously, in sports, we’re all aware of it. It’s the most exciting time, and it’s coming down to the end, and we’re going to have a winner, we’re going to have a loser in Overtime. But I think about that a lot in the context of the way we live our lives, and I’m a huge fan of, professionally and financially of Warren Buffett and what he’s done. And then you have to realize Warren began investing when he was a teenager and continues today at age 94. Well, I mean, by any stretch of the imagination, he’s had two lifetime careers to compile his wealth. And, you know, amazing things can happen when you add 30, 35 years onto a great career. And then, as you know, three of my great mentors, Coach John Wooden, Paul Harvey, and Art Linkletter, all did some of their most amazing work, you know, well into their 90s. And, you know, a lot of people tell me, well, you know, they were able to do that because they had health and vigor. And I said, well, I believe they had health and vigor because they had a passion to pursue. And, you know, I ran into a guy recently, and I was signing books, and I said, what do you do? And he said, well, I work at the airport in some kind of maintenance or something. And he said, but I’ve only got 11 years to go till I can retire. And I said, do you enjoy your work? He said, no, I hate it. But I get a retirement in 11 years. And I said, sir, it was a headline in the news today. There was a guy, heaven forbid, killed a guy. I mean, manslaughter. He got less than 11 years. I mean, why would you do something you don’t enjoy? Now, we need to separate. We’ve all done those things that we didn’t enjoy. I mean, I had a job once. I was a ditch digger. Literally dug ditches, and I built fences. I washed dishes, and I did all those things. But that’s a job. When we look for our career… It’s like looking for a spouse. You know, we need to find something that we absolutely love that creates passion within us because you’ll spend more time at your career than you do with your family. And so I’m just a big believer. And then if you love what you do, you really don’t work. And so the idea of retirement never occurs to you. I mean, people ask me, Jim, when are you going to retire? I don’t. I can’t imagine, you know. When am I going to quit enjoying my baseball games or visiting my family? I mean, me doing the work I do, my writing, my speaking, the things I do, doesn’t seem like work to me. It’s what I do. It’s who I am. And I always tell my audiences in the arena, the life we’re living right now, this is not a practice game. This is the World Series and the Super Bowl and the Olympics all rolled up into one. And if you don’t feel that kind of power and passion about what you do all day every day, you need to find something new to do or you need to find a new attitude. Because, you know, if you’re living your life doing something that you don’t enjoy, that is just tantamount to treading water and floating downstream. It’s horrible. And so, you know, now if you have to work at the airport and do maintenance until you find that thing that you have passion for, so be it. But don’t sit there in agony and say, I’ve only got 11 years to go.

SPEAKER 07 : 6:14

You know, I was talking to my nephew recently, and I may have told you this because I was a little shocked. And he’s very smart. He’s a scientist now. He’s looking at getting his master’s next. He was considering becoming a pharmacist. And I think that would be neat for him because he is kind of a people person, and you do get to interface with people, et cetera. And I said, how’s your job? So he’s had three since he graduated. He’s 25. The first one, he had people his age, so it was okay. Second one, he didn’t have anyone his age, and he didn’t like it. You know, being a scientist and being in this – You’re wearing the white hat and all that. It’s very sterile, etc. And he didn’t really have any friends, didn’t like it so much. Now his new job, he’s taken even a pay cut and commutes an hour each way, and he doesn’t like it. And he calls me on his drive home, and we chit-chat, and I… He thinks that you don’t need to like what you do. He said exactly what this guy said. He said, well, Auntie Angie, I’ve just kind of figured that a lot of people do jobs they don’t like and maybe jobs aren’t meant to be liked. And I’m like, but I do think if he goes and gets his master’s in something, maybe he could find an area that he gets more enjoyment out of. Because I don’t see him getting any enjoyment out of what he’s doing now when he’s only 25. I don’t want to see him continue his career like this. It’s a lonely way to live. Single, no pets, no… You know, I just, I don’t know. I just am sad for him. I don’t want him to live a life like that.

SPEAKER 02 : 7:34

Yeah, and as a single young man, you might ask him. I mean, obviously he’s looking for someone to spend his life with. Tell him, you know, would you consider marrying someone you don’t like? Right. You just live with someone the rest of your life you don’t like. He would obviously not even consider that. you know, like I said, I’m not saying we don’t all have to have a day job every now and then to keep us together until we make it. I’m always, when I interview movie stars or the people that are in the films based on my novels, it’s always fascinating to see, you know, they wash dishes, they parked cars, they, you know, they clean swimming pools, they, you know, big time Academy Award winning people, you know, and, If you can imagine, you know, they cleaned your swimming pool. But, you know, that’s what you do to keep it together. But to suffer like that, you know, 40, 50, 60 hours a week at something you don’t enjoy, I just cannot imagine that.

SPEAKER 07 : 8:27

Yeah, I can’t either, so I’m definitely going to talk to him tonight. I’ll give him the, hey, don’t forget to call me on your way home, because I think he gets a kick out of that, because we talk about the podcasts we like. We like history. That’s, I guess, his enjoyment. We like documentaries, and we talk about some of the historical podcasts we like that discuss different aspects of history. He’s super smart, so some of the podcasts he likes are, to be honest with you, a little above my head, but… It’s still really enjoyable to talk to him about all that stuff. But I think you’ve had the luxury of also being at your level of success, surrounding yourself and being friends with people like Coach Wooden and people that are kind of exemplary examples of really enjoying what they do. So I think you’re in the stratosphere of people doing good work, but also loving what they do. You know, the Warren Buffetts, the Steve Forbes, the Coach Wooden. I can’t think of anybody better than him, actually. You know, Paul Harvey, you were friends with. I mean, really, these are like the people that have reached a level of success most of us can’t even dream of achieving and love what they do. But I think many of us are in the trenches with the people that are just getting by, and they don’t see that… rainbow or that pot of gold per se at the end of the rainbow. And I’m not talking money. I’m talking about opportunities and like life enjoyment. So what do they do?

SPEAKER 02 : 9:44

Yeah, I mean, you’ve got to find the passion in your life. and pursue it in you know I don’t like everything about what I do I mean you know doing accounting and taxes is never my favorite thing but I do a little of it as I can and you know function in business but you know we can all be moving toward that thing we want it’s like you you know the young man we were talking about he he’s a single guy right now he would probably like to settle down with the love of his life and start living but until he does he’ll live well You know, he’s got a day job that’ll feed him and keep him together until he can find his passion. But I would tell him, don’t ever give up on finding that passion, because next to being in love and living with the right person, marrying the right person. Next to that, enjoying what you do, I think, is one of the truly great privileges in life. And I will always remember the late, great B.B. King. He did music for one of my movies, and I got to be friends with him. And he just loved to play that guitar. And, you know, he said, I hope I die out here playing the guitar. He was 86 years old. He did 200 dates. Angie, 200 dates the year he died. And, you know, he left it all there. I mean, that’s all he wanted to do was just play.

SPEAKER 07 : 11:04

You know, I think when you talk about in the article about people remaining healthy and active is because they continue to pursue their passion. And, you know, I’ve been looking at that lately since I’ve got just two more years until all my kids will be basically in college. And I’m sure I’ll be traveling to watch their games and this, that, and the other. But I’ve looked into volunteering at a hospice with my pets recently. and then also at a local shelter because I’m kind of an animal person. But I like old people. I like kids with disabilities. I think they’re really fast cognitive disabilities. Kids with Down syndrome, I just have a real affinity for. I don’t know. I just love their warmth and their joy. So I’m just trying to find like, is my next passion, does it involve actually making more money to help my kids with college? Or am I just going to volunteer and just add something? I mean, I guess I don’t have to make a decision. I can start volunteering and go from there. But I definitely am in that arena or that segment of my life where I’m trying to find the next passion.

SPEAKER 02 : 11:59

Yeah, and I think we always are. I think we’re always looking for that next big thing, no matter what we’re doing. I mean, you know, I’ve written several books this year. When I finish one, I take a deep breath. And, you know, I don’t sit there very long before I think, I wonder what’s the next deal we’re going to write.

SPEAKER 07 : 12:15

That’s so funny. Yeah. You know, you’re not even finishing one and you’re already like on the, you know, you’re doing like the, you know, the book cover and, you know, they’re doing the artwork and it’s all like, and then you’re like, oh, what’s next? And you’re not even quite penning, you know, signing off on the book that you’re finishing right now, you know?

SPEAKER 02 : 12:32

Yeah. And you just do that and you. And even when you write a novel or write a screenplay for a movie, you get to the end and you realize, okay, this story’s over, but I still like these characters. I wonder what they do next. And next thing you know, you got a sequel or, you know, a trilogy in the case of one of my properties. And you just… You know, it’s that curiosity and keep doing it. You know, like you said, you were taking a trip to Chicago and back. Well, you get home, you don’t say, okay, I’m done with my trip, you know. No, we did Chicago, but that doesn’t mean you’re never going anywhere again. You’re always, always going to the next place.

SPEAKER 07 : 13:06

I just booked. I’m leaving for Phoenix in a week, and then I booked Louisville, Kentucky for a kids’ tournament and Vegas for a kids’ tournament. So you’re right. It’s like go, go, go. JimStoval.com. Thank you, friend. Thank you. Thank you.

SPEAKER 03 : 13:22

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SPEAKER 08 : 14:17

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SPEAKER 06 : 14:27

Those of you who are just joining us, this is Angie Austin with the good news. Well, November is National Caregiver’s Month, and in our interview today, Blood Cancer United is highlighting how two blood cancer diagnoses led one mother to a life of caregiving. Michael Kramer is joining us, as well as his mom, Ashley Kramer. And Ashley, you are the mom we were referring to, and I understand your first experience as a caregiver started in 2014 with Michael’s father. Yes. And now you are a full time caregiver for Michael. So first, before I start with you, actually, I just want to say welcome to you, Michael.

SPEAKER 04 : 15:00

Thank you.

SPEAKER 06 : 15:01

And then, Ashley, I’m going to start with you. And I want you to tell us about your caregiver journey. And you can go back as far as 2014 and your husband if you’d like to give us, you know, the whole journey.

SPEAKER 10 : 15:10

First of all, thank you so much for having us, Angie. We appreciate your time. And yeah, I was married. We had three beautiful children, Stephen, Michael and Jennifer. And it was in 2014. That was the first time that cancer really turned our worlds upside down. It was my husband, Michael’s dad, that was diagnosed with lymphoma. And at that time, I had a wonderful friend that advised me. She was like, you should call Blood Cancer United, get some support. But I think I was just completely overwhelmed. And I was working full time. supporting our family. I had three young kids and I was caregiving to my husband at the same time. And I really isolated myself. And I think, you know, yeah, of course I was maybe protecting the kids too and myself. And I just focused on what I was doing and I didn’t want to reach out to anyone. And it was literally just 17 months later that my husband passed away. And four years after that, Michael, he was just feeling tired, but went in for a blood test, a bone marrow biopsy, and then he was diagnosed with cancer, which was a huge shock. This time it was a social worker, and she said, you know, reach out to Blood Cancer United. And this time I did. And I called, I spoke with an information specialist, and I guess, you know, I left that conversation. I felt just so much more knowledgeable and empowered. And I realized that I was not alone. So I think, you know, that’s one of my big messages is that you’re not alone as a caregiver. It feels like it, but you’re not.

SPEAKER 06 : 16:52

Well, I’m interested to know then, Michael, having seen your mom’s journey, with your dad and now with you and how her life has been this last 10 plus years, I guess now. Did you see a difference? Is it different for her this time with having the support that she didn’t reach out for last time because she was so scared and isolating and taking care of all of you?

SPEAKER 04 : 17:13

Yeah, I think it definitely is different. I think this time it’s more of an advocate and speak out role. And we started posting on social media our journey. It’s been a lot more public. We’ve had a lot more support from family members and friends. And the whole journey has just felt more like something that is a little more beautiful. Because when I was with my dad, it was really quick. And he unfortunately passed away. And with this journey, it’s kind of been long and drawn out. And we’ve done many things. We’ve advocated. We’ve connected with foundations like Blood Cancer United. And we’ve really just done all we can to continue advocating and speaking out.

SPEAKER 06 : 17:46

Well, and not just your mom, her support as a caregiver. I’m sure that you’re getting also a lot more support and camaraderie and a community and answers to questions that you all may not have had 10 years ago.

SPEAKER 04 : 17:59

Yeah, for sure. We’re doing our best to go out there and share our stories, share our message with others, and bring hope to anyone who is going through this tragic and awful disease.

SPEAKER 06 : 18:10

Well, there’s a lot to do to be a caregiver, but actually I know that Blood Cancer United and the interviews I’ve been doing this month about caregivers really emphasize how important it is for caregivers to take care of themselves because even as just a regular old mom, I definitely fall. I mean, this is a terrible example, but everyone in the family needed braces, right, even though my husband and I had them. Who got them? My son first, then my two daughters, then my husband, then my mom. Well, guess what? I’m the sixth. Guess who hasn’t gotten braces yet? I know. That’s so typical of a mom, right? It is. You’re taking care of Michael and you take care of your husband. I mean, you’re really last on the list then.

SPEAKER 10 : 18:48

It is true. You’re right. And it’s a really hard thing. We hear that all the time. You can’t pour from an empty cup. And I think all the caregivers I know are going to be like, watch me. Yes, I can. But you know what? I am going to advocate for caregivers right now. And that is to say, I think for me, there is a list of things that have helped me, but a big one is connection. And Blood Cancer United has certainly come into play there. But I think we do need self-care. And it doesn’t have to be. I mean, you can relate as a mom. You don’t have a whole day to go to the spa. Maybe you can’t as a caregiver. You can’t go on a vacation. You can’t take a day off. But I think even if it’s just you can take like a pocket. And I think that’s been my biggest advice and what I’ve learned for myself. Maybe it’s like just five minutes. that you go and you go in the shower and it’s just, you know, take a moment, take some deep breaths. Maybe it’s going outside. Getting in nature has this miraculous way of like changing your perspective in just, right? Just in a few moments. And sometimes it’s, you know, putting on a song. I remember being in the hospital with Michael and putting on music and that can kind of change your perspective and how you feel. And, you know, also not denying that it’s hard. It is hard and it is okay also to have a moment that you cry and that you feel overwhelmed. And then I think, you know, that’s where the support groups are amazing because you share with someone that understands and gets it. And then that gives you the courage to say, okay, I got this off my chest. Now I can go ahead and move forward. But it really is important. And I know self-care is a word that caregivers hate to hear, but take it as a pocket. I think a pocket of peace, don’t think of it as a big chunk, right?

SPEAKER 06 : 20:28

That’s a perfect way to describe it, a popular piece. Now, Michael, I’m very curious about your story because my kids are 16, 18, and 20. So I can’t lump you in there and use one of us. You’re right in there. So I’ve got my son who’s in college full-time, in business school. He has a job, and he runs his own business.

SPEAKER 04 : 20:45

Wonderful. Wow.

SPEAKER 06 : 20:47

I’ve got a daughter who plays volleyball in college, and I’ve got a basketball player. I’m an honor student. Okay, it’s crazy. How do you take, how has your path changed? Like, how are you navigating these teen years with your diagnosis? And then, you know, as you went from 19 and on, like this changed the course of your life. So what’s going on with you?

SPEAKER 04 : 21:05

Yeah, so when I was 14, I lost my father, and that’s when I was a windsurfer on the Olympic development team. Oh, wow. Yeah, my years in high school we spent after my father’s passing, we were actually just competing windsurfing a lot. So our big outlet was windsurfing, and we also surfed because we live in Miami. When we do get waves, which is pretty rare, we do get waves sometimes, and we would train, we would windsurf. We actually had a lot of competitions overseas and stuff, which was really amazing. And then when I went away to college and then the COVID lockdown happened, that was when things took a turn for the worse, was when I just started to feel really fatigued and tired. And then we eventually found out a few months after that initial fatigue, the fatigue wasn’t like horrible. I didn’t really think I was getting cancer or anything. I was just really tired. And then when I started to develop some fevers and night sweats, then we went to the doctor and that’s when I found out I had cancer. And then I went through chemo, radiation, a bone marrow transplant, and now I live with a chronic disease because of the bone marrow transplant. So I’m just navigating life. I’m still active. I still go to the gym. I still eat healthy, do all these things to keep myself in shape and happy and positive. But it’s definitely a different life than it once was. I have a lot of health issues now that I have to deal with. But just blessed to be here and blessed to talk about my experience with my mom and Blood Cancer United.

SPEAKER 06 : 22:21

Well, I think it’s really neat. What a blessing it is that you and your mom can now take this journey together. And I know that part of what you’re doing now is helping others by sharing your stories. Yours, Ashley, is a caregiver. Michael, your health journey. So thank you both so much for doing that. I want to make sure that people don’t isolate like you initially did, Ashley. And now you have the flip of the coin, different experience. And I think it’s so scary that people just don’t want to reach beyond their front room. And if they do reach out, I’d love for one of you to give the information for people to learn more.

SPEAKER 10 : 22:53

Yes, for sure. You can reach out to BloodCancerUnited.org. There is also a toll-free number, 1-800-955-4572. I want to emphasize all of the support services. Everything is free. It’s for patients. It’s also for caregivers. And, yeah, I know it’s overwhelming, but you do have support out there. You really do.

SPEAKER 06 : 23:17

Michael, I want you to hook your – this is your challenge for the next year. Hook your mom up on some kind of app or give her a website where she, like, reads caregivers or has an app where she can – her voice is so soothing.

SPEAKER 04 : 23:29

I know. She needs to do that.

SPEAKER 10 : 23:32

You’re so sweet.

SPEAKER 06 : 23:33

Thank you, Angie.

SPEAKER 04 : 23:33

I totally agree.

SPEAKER 06 : 23:35

She needs like the nurture app or the caregiver’s app and she could read a story.

SPEAKER 04 : 23:40

She needs to do that. Everyone’s been telling her that she’s a great voice for that and she needs to do it.

SPEAKER 06 : 23:45

Well, thank you so much. What a blessing to have both of you on the show. Thank you so much. Thank you.

SPEAKER 04 : 23:51

We really appreciate you.

SPEAKER 10 : 23:51

Thank you. And we’re thinking of you and your kids and I hope you get your braces, Angie.

SPEAKER 04 : 23:55

Yeah. Thank you.

SPEAKER 07 : 23:57

Thank you. All right. Let’s change gears now and talk about something that I’ve recently done. And that’s my shingle shots. Why? Because I’m of that age now. Got them for my mom. My brother’s getting them. And today I’m joined by Dr. Kelsey Goddard with and Dr. Leonard Friedland. And I want to talk a little bit about this today because I think that this is a good time. A lot of us are getting our flu shots and, you know, other shots this time of year. So Dr. Leonard Friedland is vice president, director of scientific affairs and public health GSK vaccines. And Dr. Kelsey Godderwiss, pharmacy manager with Kroger King Soopers, as you probably know it here where I am based in Colorado. All right. Welcome to both of you. Thank you so much. So tell me, Dr. Friedland, what is shingles and how is it caused?

SPEAKER 05 : 24:45

Yeah, so shingles is a disease that’s characterized by a painful blistering rash that can last weeks and that can be very disruptive to our lives, work, home, social activities, sleep, etc. The disease is caused by a virus, and that virus is the herpes zoster virus, and that’s the very same virus that causes the disease of childhood called chickenpox. But while we recover from chickenpox, the virus doesn’t leave our body. It stays in our body, goes dormant, and it can reactivate years later. And when it reactivates, it reactivates as this painful blistering rash that can last weeks. The most important risk factor for this reactivation of this virus is advancing age. As we age, particularly starting at around age 50, our immune systems will sort of naturally weaken, and that can allow the opportunity for this virus to reactivate, causing this painful blistering rash shingles. But in addition to advancing age, there are some underlying medical conditions that are associated with increased risk of shingles, and those include diabetes, asthma, heart disease, COPD, and chronic kidney disease.

SPEAKER 07 : 25:56

Okay, Dr. Godderwiss, what are some key facts that people should know about shingles?

SPEAKER 09 : 26:00

So shingles is so much more common than we think. There are about 1 million new cases of shingles just in the United States every year. And so as Dr. Lin said, that age limit of 50 and up is where we see a huge spike in the disease. So I recommend always reaching out to your Kroger pharmacist to figure out if you’re at risk for vaccine preventable diseases like shingles.

SPEAKER 07 : 26:20

All right, Dr. Friedland, let’s go to you. Who is at increased risk of developing shingles?

SPEAKER 05 : 26:26

Yeah, so the most important group who’s at increasing risk for people over the age of 50, and that’s associated with our weakening immune systems as we age. But in addition, there are underlying medical conditions that are associated with an increased risk of having cases of shingles, and those include asthma, diabetes, heart disease, COPD, and chronic kidney disease.

SPEAKER 07 : 26:50

All right, Dr. Goddard, would you talk about how your pharmacist, your Kroger or King Super Pharmacist help people better understand their risk for shingles?

SPEAKER 09 : 26:58

So October is American Pharmacist Month and your Kroger pharmacist is your most accessible healthcare provider. So we are there anytime we are open to answer questions about any disease states, especially those that are vaccine preventable. You can always go to our website, kroger.com slash health to find out more information about vaccine preventable diseases and also to make an appointment to see your local pharmacist to get those vaccines.

SPEAKER 07 : 27:19

And what questions should people ask their pharmacist about shingles?

SPEAKER 09 : 27:23

So Kroger patients can ask their pharmacist any questions about why they’re at risk or how they’re at risk and what they can do to help prevent developing a disease like shingles. We’re going into the fall busy season right before holidays. So speaking to your pharmacist about any vaccine preventable disease like shingles is really, really important this time of year to make sure that you don’t miss out on any of that fun time with your family and to help you live your healthiest life.

SPEAKER 07 : 27:45

All right, Dr. Friedland, would you tell us where people go to learn more?

SPEAKER 05 : 27:48

Yeah. So, of course, you can always learn more about vaccine-preventable diseases, including shingles, by speaking with your health care provider, including your trusted pharmacist. But in addition, we have a website we created, easyvax.com, E-A-S-Y-V-A-X.com, where you can put in information about where you live, your zip code to find out about Which pharmacies near you have the available vaccines for vaccine preventable diseases, including shingles?

SPEAKER 07 : 28:15

Well, thank you both so much for your time today. I think this is a really important subject. And that’s why those of us in my family that are of that age, you know, are getting or have already gotten the shingles vaccine. Thank you so much. Thank you.

SPEAKER 01 : 28:28

Thank you for listening to The Good News with Angie Austin on AM 670 KLTT.