Cancer Coaching: Your Guide Through Treatment Chaos

Navigating cancer care shouldn't be this confusing

There's a lot to juggle when you're coping with a cancer diagnosis.

Let me help you navigate your cancer care with confidence.

Welcome! I’m Blaine Kifle

Oncology Nurse, Health Coach, and Patient Advocate

I've spent the last 24 years learning how to navigate the health care system as an oncology nurse, caregiver and patient, and my mission is to empower you with tools and techniques honed over that time.

We all know that the US health care system is incredibly complicated, but having to learn your way through it while coping with a cancer diagnosis is a whole new level of frustrating. Anyone who is managing a serious health issue has learned the hard way that even with the best care teams and health organizations, coordinating the logistics of treatment is a full time job that falls to us.

Unfortunately, it is a job we end up taking on with no training and in a world that speaks a completely different language.

The good news is, there is an easier way. No one can carry the weight of a cancer diagnosis for you, but I can share my knowledge and experience to serve as a translator and guide to make the journey a little less frustrating so you can focus on what matters the most: moving forward on your terms.

What you get when we work together

Partnership

Someone who can take the time to really understand your needs, values, and priorities to help you identify and achieve your goals beyond the medical goals that are determined as part of your care.

Clinical education

The benefit of my 14 years of experience as an oncology nurse, as I translate complex clinical information into clear, relatable language and concepts. Thoughtful timing of education topics to reinforce teaching from your care team.

Care Navigation

Individualized help understanding how the healthcare system works so you can coordinate your care with confidence. Techniques to clarify communication with your care team and templates to make the most of patient portal messaging.

Coping strategies

Effective real-world coping strategies from my clinical and personal experience to help you identify useful tools to stay on track through out treatment. You'll also get a proactive approach to coping with the emotional, mental, and social stress of coping with cancer treatment.

Context

A better understanding of the "why" and "how" behind the structure of cancer care to give you context for the information you are getting from your care team and outside sources.

Coaching Options

Learn More

Let's Work Together

Let me help you navigate your cancer care and meet your health goals

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Contact Me

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Testimonials

Real Voices:

Client Experiences in Navigating Cancer Care.

"Blaine has provided an invaluable resource to our family through the initial shock following pancreatic cancer diagnosis and onward through many months of chemotherapy and then surgery. Though our medical team is world class, they inherently don’t have the time to help us through the ever-changing experience of side effects, medication management, and riding the immersive roller coaster of serious illness. Blaine has shepherded us through this very difficult chapter, patiently explaining the medical, clinical, and emotional aspects of the cancer landscape, including helping us make major decisions. Her deep well of knowledge and special flair for compassion and humor have helped us to feel much more supported and confident."

Robin C.Caregiver - San Carlos, CA

"Getting through treatment after being diagnosed with stomach cancer was overwhelming, but working with Blaine made all the difference for both myself and my husband. With her background as an experienced oncology nurse, she brought a deep understanding of the healthcare system, helped me make sense of my treatment options and made sure I felt confident in every decision I made. She was able to really explain complex medical information by breaking down the science in a way that was easy to understand, always making sure that we were comfortable before moving on. Blaine was a steady source of emotional support, helping us navigate not just the medical aspects of my care, but the mental and emotional challenges as well. She proactively focused on our individual needs, as well as, our relationship's health. We are incredibly grateful for her and highly recommend her to anyone facing a cancer diagnosis."

Sandy S.Client - Seattle, WA

Blaine has been a gift to our family through the marathon ups & downs of cancer treatment. She brings the rare combination of high IQ & high EQ; the intellect and medical expertise to understand the complexities of this diagnosis and treatment AND the perceptiveness and agility to meet our family’s range of personalities. Her graceful pivoting between comprehensive in-depth explanations and highly distilled “most important points” depending on needs has been an especially helpful advanced skill 🙏 Blaine’s grounded assertiveness has steered us through information overload and helped us make big medical decisions—and her graciousness and levity have noticeably “brightened the room”. I can’t over-emphasize the value of that combination. Huge thanks to you Blaine, from all of us.

Allison C.Family Member - Santa Cruz, CA