Caring for someone through glioblastoma treatment is one of the most demanding roles a person can take on. Julie Crawshay knows this intimately, having supported her husband Nic through his GBM journey. She created The Neuro Farmacist not only to share medical education but to acknowledge the human side of caregiving. Here, Julie Crawshay offers practical and compassionate guidance for those walking alongside a loved one.

Be a steady presence

Julie Crawshay with her husband and children on a family day out in Sydney, Australia
Julie Crawshay with her husband and children on a family day out in Sydney, Australia

Sometimes the most valuable thing a caregiver offers is not a solution but simply being there. Treatment days, scan results, and uncertain waiting periods can be emotionally exhausting. Listening without rushing to fix, sitting together in silence, and offering consistent presence all matter more than perfect words. Your steadiness can be a genuine anchor.

Help manage the practical load

Glioblastoma treatment generates an enormous amount of logistics — appointments, medications, transport, insurance, and daily household tasks. Taking ownership of practical organisation can lift a real weight. Keeping a shared calendar, tracking medications, and maintaining an up-to-date list of questions for the medical team are concrete ways to help. The free GBM Caregiver's Resource Guide from Julie Crawshay is designed to support exactly this kind of organisation.

Communicate with the medical team

Caregivers often become the bridge between their loved one and the medical team. Attending appointments, taking notes, and helping ask prepared questions ensures important information is not lost. Our guide to questions to ask your neuro-oncologist can help you make the most of each consultation.

Look after yourself too

Caregiver wellbeing is not a luxury — it is essential. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and sustained caregiving requires rest, support, and moments of respite. Julie Crawshay encourages caregivers to accept help, lean on friends and family, and seek their own support networks or counselling when needed. Many neuro-oncology centres can point caregivers toward support services.

Preserve moments of normal life

Amid the intensity of treatment, ordinary moments of joy and connection remain deeply valuable. A favourite meal, a walk, a film, or simply laughter can offer relief for both of you. Julie Crawshay reminds caregivers that protecting these moments is part of caring well, not a distraction from it.

Supporting a loved one through GBM is a profound act of love, and it is okay to find it hard. The Neuro Farmacist exists to remind caregivers they are not alone. You can find ongoing encouragement and education from Julie Crawshay on Instagram and Substack.

Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always discuss care and support needs with your qualified medical team.