Families Coping When Children Suffering With Cancer
Before we dwell into understanding the basics of what an emotionally draining journey this could be, it is important to remember that every family member needs a hand when a child has cancer. Following their child’s cancer diagnosis, parents frequently experience shock and overwhelm. As you converse with your child and any siblings, be open and calm to foster trust. It’s not selfish to take care of yourself during this trying time. As you rely on your inner fortitude, ask for help from your family, friends, and the treatment team for your child.
Unlike adults, it becomes very difficult for a child to comprehend what exactly a disease like cancer stands for. Some kids believe their actions contributed to the disease by being nasty or incorrect. Others ponder how they become ill. Inform your child that neither he nor anyone else did anything to cause cancer and that researchers are trying to determine what causes it in kids. However, the aftermath of battling cancer can be very excruciating for a child in terms of both physical and mental changes.
Help Your Child During Physical Changes
Children are often sensitive to how they appear and how other people perceive them. Here are some ideas for supporting your kid:
Physical Changes
Prepare for physical changes by letting your child choose a colourful cap, scarf, or wig in advance if the therapy will cause hair loss in them. Weight changes may result from some therapies. The nutrition your child needs to keep healthy during treatment can be obtained by scheduling a consultation with a qualified dietitian.
Side Effects
The nurse will discuss supportive care with you and your kid, as side effects. This care is provided to manage side effects and raise the standard of living for your child.
Assist your Child in Learning How to React
People may occasionally make gender mistakes, give strange looks, or probe personal matters. The approach to this entirely depends on whether or not your child chooses to either ignore this or not. Nobody understands this kid better than the parents themselves and in tough times like these, it helps better when you can sit down with your child and truthfully talk to them about what they can expect and strategise an approach to reacting without making it further emotionally draining.
Look for ways to divert the child: Your child might unwind by viewing movies or playing video games. Among others, there is relaxation treatment, guided imagery, massage therapy, laughing therapy, and art therapy.
Keep your cool but do not bury your emotions: Your kid is sensitive to your feelings. Consult your doctor and your child’s medical team if you frequently experience sadness or anxiety so you can learn how to control these feelings. But keep in mind that if you frequently mask your emotions, your child might do the same.
If you see emotional changes in your child, seek assistance: Though it’s common for kids to experience sadness or melancholy occasionally, if your child consistently exhibits these emotions over an extended length of time, it may indicate that they require additional support. Your child can learn how to manage stress by meeting with a nurse, child-life specialist, or psychologist. They can also check your child for mental health issues like depression and anxiety disorders.
Keep Relationships Strong
When one’s child has cancer, relationships and partnerships are strained and under stress. However, there is also a moment when marriages and bonds within the family can get stronger. Parents cited the following as helpful:
Maintain open channels of communication
Discuss how you individually handle stress the best. Even when you are short on time, make time to interact.
Always keep in mind that no two people cope in the same way:
Couples frequently employ various coping mechanisms. Even if your spouse or partner may not appear to be as upset as you are, this does not imply that they are not going through a similarly trying time.
Spend time
Making your spouse or child’s day better can start with just a simple phone call, text, or handwritten letter.
Conclusion
These recommendations can assist you and your kid in building a solid and productive rapport with your child’s medical staff.
Respect from the members of your child’s medical team is something you should give and expect in return. It will also be simpler for you to debate possibilities, ask questions, and feel sure that your child is in good care if you and your partner have open and honest communication. Together, you can teach your child about cancer, its treatment, how to get ready for exams, handle side effects, and how to cope.
