Heart of the Home: A Caregiver's Journey - Logan Lee Lamson on Losing Linda Mae

By Kevin Lambing, CEO & Certified DME Specialist (CDME)

This bio story is part of our Heart of the Home series, featuring Logan Lee Lamson, author of Losing Linda Mae.

Who is Logan Lee Lamson?

Logan was in his mid-twenties when he stepped into the role of primary caregiver for his mother during her battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In a cruel twist of fate in 2020—several years after her passing—Logan received a diagnosis of his own: Hodgkin lymphoma.

Today, he bridges the gap between the individual and caregiver experience on social media via @justsomehindsight. Logan also serves as the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for an educational nonprofit supporting under-resourced communities.

The Book: Losing Linda Mae

In this cinematic end-of-life memoir, Logan recounts the final seven months of his mother’s life. With nearly 30% of Americans in a caregiving role, this book fills a vital void, validating the humor, exhaustion, and profound love of the journey.

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THE CAREGIVING EXPERIENCE

The Great Relocation: You left a life in New York to return to Kansas. What was the hardest “identity shift” you had to make?

LLL: Adjusting to the fact that I had no clue how the day would unfold was the most challenging. As a routine-oriented person, cancer treatments derail everything. I had to learn to wake up without knowing how the day would end.

Role Reversal: At what specific moment did it first hit you that the roles had officially reversed?

LLL: Helping my mom use the bathroom stands out, but I was struck most by how our conversations shifted as I became her rock rather than the other way around.

The Humor in the Dark: How did humor serve as a survival mechanism?

LLL: Making light of something very dark reduces its scariness. I also rely on humor to reveal what is worrying me in a way that doesn’t alarm others.

The “Unflinching” Reality: Why be so unsparing about the day-to-day realities?

LLL: I wanted to honor and validate the lived experiences of other family caregivers. Painting a complete picture requires showing the unglamorous parts and the slog of long hospital hours.

PERSPECTIVE & DUAL IDENTITY

The Mirror Effect: In 2020, you received your own diagnosis. How did your experience as a caregiver change how you navigated treatment?

LLL: I walked into surgeries and scans knowing what to expect. That was a blessing and a curse. I did realize my mom had overdramatized certain things to elicit sympathy since we didn’t know better then! I actually found PET scans to be quite peaceful.

Which role did you find more mentally taxing: Individual with illness or Caregiver?

LLL: Having cancer was more mentally taxing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, being a caregiver for my mom was the most traumatic experience I had endured up to that point. Everything is relative.

Medical Literacy: Did your background make you a “better” person navigating treatment?

LLL: I’d like to think so! I was very informed, so my medical team didn’t have to spend as much time explaining the basics, which I imagine they appreciated.

ADVICE & ADVOCACY

The “Invisible” Caregiver: How can friends actually support young caregivers?

LLL: Don’t diminish your own problems. When friends say, “That’s nothing compared to what you’re going through,” it increases the isolation. I liked hearing about what others were going through so we could commiserate together.

Best Advice: What is the best piece of advice for a new caregiver starting today?

LLL: Accept that you are not perfect and you will let down your loved one at some point. The more pressure you place on yourself to be a saint, the more likely you will get worn down.

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Note: This story is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding medical conditions.
You are not alone. You CAN care, cope, survive, and thrive!