How to Cope When Your Child is Diagnosed With Cancer

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You are told that your son or daughter has cancer. You freeze when you hear the words leave the doctors mouth, your body goes numb. At first you don't believe him. "No." You tell yourself, "No. He just got the papers mixed up with some old person who lived their life to the fullest. Not my child. No." All you want to do is return to live before those terrible words. However, you know that isn't going to happen and that you have to put on a brave face and get through this even though you dont know the ending results. You will cry, its normal. Here are some things to help prepare you and keep you strong in your support of your child.

Steps

1. Grab ahold of your child and hold him or her for dear life. You're about to start a new life together and a deeper bond is now upon you.
   
2. Grab hold of friends, family, neighbors, etc. Anyone who can help you in this time. You're going to need a lot of it and the more people the better.
   
3. Be involved. Do your research, talk to other parents of cancer patients, the more advice and help you receive can only make things easier.
   
4. Keep track of what's going on with your son or daughter. Maybe an electronic diary, a notebook, whatever your comfortable with.
   
5. Be ready for ever
   

Tips

• Get enough rest and/or assistance if you have too much to handle.
  
• Be thankful for the little things, the good things.
  
• Outside of the cancer itself, forget about what's wrong and hold onto what's right.
  
• If you are religious. Do not get mad at God. He is not the one to be mad at for what has happened. Life goes its ways and you can't be mad at him for anything.
  
• Be there for your child. As scary as this experience is for you. Its only ten thousand times harder for them.
  
• A lot of hospitals are nearby a Ronald McDonald house. These are especially helpful for getting a good nights rest, a hot meal, love and support of other hospital families, and even day care for other younger children who are not easy to keep at a hospital all day. Plus, All Ronald McDonald houses are non-profit organizations. Which means you can stay free for as long as your child or family member is in hospital care. They are extremely helpful and highly recommended.
  
• Start a file folder for every paper involved with this illness. Some receipts can be deducted. Hang on to names and phone numbers in case you need to get in touch with someone who may be of help. Hold on to instructions which can relieve distressing symptoms.
  
• Think of ways people can be able to help you. Friends will offer their help.
  

Warnings

• Family problems can arise from the sudden emotional disaster. You need to sit down with the family as a whole and have a meeting about what the family members can all do to help, what sacrifices you are going to have to make, with your spouse about attitudes and the love between you, etc. Especially young children need to be told exactly what about everything.
  
• Do not lie to your children, it can only make matters worse.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Comfort a Friend With Multiple Sclerosis and Cancer
  
• How to Write to Someone Who Has Been Diagnosed With Cancer
  
• How to Lower Your Chances of Getting Cancer
  

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