n IS MY CHILD’S DIET DURING TREATMENT IMPORTANT? Yes. We know from research that well-nourished children tolerate therapy better and have fewer treatment delays from illness. It may be difficult for your child to resume normal eating habits while receiving therapy, so you will need to be flexible and creative. Your child’s food preferences and tastes may change throughout therapy. Often, numerous small meals are better tolerated than three large ones. Children usually are more interested in eating foods they helped prepare. It is important to include your child in the social activity of fam- ily meals even if he or she does not eat full meals. Remember, nobody wins food fights—it is best not to force your child to eat. Make sure foods that are high in protein and carbohydrates are readily available. Your treatment team should approve multivitamins, herbs, supplements, and all other medi- cines before you give them to your child because they may cause an interaction with your child’s chemotherapy. A dietitian trained in the calorie and energy needs of children with cancer can offer you guidance. Your child’s treatment team also can intervene if there is a nutritional problem.
n CAN MY CHILD ATTEND SCHOOL DURING TREATMENT? Most children who are being treated for Hodgkin lymphoma can attend school. However, some children may not tolerate chemotherapy and radiation as well as others and may need to miss school on occasion. You should discuss school attendance with your child’s oncology team. School is important because it helps children and adolescents maintain social contact with their peers. It is important for your child to return to school as soon as he or she is medically able to do so.
Suggested Resources www.curesearch.org National Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Children’s Oncology Group www.cancer.gov National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learning Webpage from which the "Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What Cancer Patients Need to Know" booklet can be downloaded.
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