How to manage family life when your child has cancer

Valerie, with husband Doron, son Evan and daughter Ruby When our daughter, Ruby, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at one and a half years old, my husband and I were immediately transformed from working parents with two young children, to parental caregivers for a child with cancer. Between hospital stays, medications and appointments, there was so much to keep track of. It can be overwhelming at times, but there are ways to manage life after your child is diagnosed with cancer. Settle into to this new normal. It can be easy to stay in crisis mode when something like a cancer diagnosis interrupts your life, especially when it happens to your child. When you are able to move forward, even under extraordinarily tough circumstances, and accommodate time for your new obligations, it is easier to keep things consistent for you and your family. Take advantage of technology. Ruby’s treatment consisted of three-week cycles of chemotherapy from January 2012 to February 2014. Her specific medication regimen changed from week to week. My husband and I shared a family calendar on our phones to organize medications, appointments, and to-dos. We also made spreadsheets to track her medications, and referred to this daily to assure accuracy with each medication dose. Spend time as a family whenever you can. We wanted to reassure Ruby that cancer wasn’t the center of her life. When she felt well enough to spend time outside or in public, we made it a point to do norma...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Diseases & Conditions Parenting Cancer Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center Source Type: news