Use this space to write down additional questions.
n ARE MY FEELINGS NORMAL, AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THEM? Hearing that your child has cancer can be shocking and overwhelming. At first you may not believe it, or you may hope that the diagnosis is wrong. However, the changes you see in your child and the experience of being in the hospital and beginning treatment will confirm the reality of your child’s situation. Many family members feel they are responsible for their child’s disease or feel guilty that they were not able to detect it sooner. Remember that we do not know exactly what causes AML and that both the symptoms of AML and their severity vary from patient to patient. In addition to shock and guilt, you and your family will probably feel angry and sad. Even the youngest family members are likely to be affected. These feelings are normal, and each family member will express them in different ways and at different times. It can be very difficult to feel so many strong emotions at once. Talking honestly with one another about feelings, reactions, and questions will help everyone in the family. It may seem difficult to talk to friends, family, or even medical staff, but expressing your feelings can help you cope with this situation. Remember that your child will benefit if family members continue to show their caring through support and communication.
n HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD? As a parent, you likely will notice changes in your child during the treatment. These changes or symptoms can make you feel even more helpless. It is essential to remember that, in spite of changes on the outside, your child is still the same person on the inside. Hair loss and other changes to the body are temporary. They often bother
adults much more than they bother the child or the child’s siblings and friends. All of the feelings about what your child is going through during treatment must be balanced by remembering that treatment provides an opportunity to cure the disease so your child can go on to live a full and meaningful life.
It is important to reinforce to your child that nothing they did or said caused this disease. Telling your child that your angry or sad feelings are directed at cancer and not at them preserves honesty and closeness in your relationship. Like you, your child will need someone with
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