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Lisa Schneider: Dr. Shapiro let's start with you. How did you go into this type of work?
I know that you are a cancer survivor yourself.
Dr. Shapiro: Right. I was diagnosed when I was 20 with a lymphoma and then spent the
next five years in and out of treatment and it was, while I was also just trying to self
execute with my life and eventually I decided to become a psychologist and I actually studied
patient's responses to illness. I also felt like the system was not that great, so I got
really interested in medical systems and the patient physician communication that sort
of thing.
Lisa Schneider: I am very curious to know more about your work with couples coping with
cancer. Obviously, you have had the personal experience of being in both roles and I also
know that you have worked with many couples. What are you finding as the most common conflict
points between those couples?
Dr. Shapiro: I think one of the early conflicts is around how to deal with the party and physicians
for example, some folks are really deferential to physicians, while others are really aggressive
and that can lead to conflicts between couples. I think couples also fight about how they
think about illness, for example, they have fights about why are you not being optimistic
enough, you are not thinking about this the right way, that's another area and then finally
I would say the other big one is food, couples fight about food
and eating.