Being diagnosed with breast cancer is a scary and emotionally painful experience. It is one of those things that no one wants to hear. If you have children and have been diagnosed, it can be devastating to try and tell your children. Here are some helpful tips to help guide you through this painful process.
Use Simple Words That They Can Understand
One of the things that might be confusing for many children are the big words that are associated with cancer and cancer treatment. If you have been diagnosed, work hard to talk to your children using simple words that they can understand.
Do Not Hide the Facts
Many parents want to spare their children from hearing that they have cancer. They might feel like it would be better to tell their child that they are sick. Do not sugar coat the truth or lie to your child about the diagnosis. Your children should hear the facts from you so that they can ask questions and talk to you about any fears that they have.
Focus on the Positive
While it might be hard to think positive thoughts after being diagnosed with cancer, when you are talking to your children it is essential that you stay positive. Reassure them that mommy is going to fight and that while something bad could happen, you are praying and hoping that it does not.
Answer Questions Honestly
Your children are going to ask a lot of questions. They might ask you why you got sick, if you are going to die, or other hard questions that you really do not have an answer for. Answer them honestly and talk about their fears or feelings about your diagnosis.
Look for New Ways to Discuss Your Cancer
There are a wide range of tools out there for parents to talk about their diagnosis with children. There are some great books and even some dolls and other toys that can help your child cope with your disease. Using these as a tool to explain what is going to happen with your body is also important. If you are undergoing chemotherapy, you should talk with your child beforehand about how you are going to lose your hair. These types of things will help your child to have more of an understanding of what is going on and to be less frightened as things occur.
Talk About How Long Treatments Will Last
Remember that kids are visual and that six months might sound like a lifetime to them. Discuss things with your child openly when considering the length of your treatment. Make calendars and other visuals that will help your child see that there will be an end to the treatments and the time that mommy is sick.
Reassure Your Child that Cancer is Not Contagious
Most of the time when someone is sick around your child, they know that they can become sick too. When it comes to cancer and children you have to explain and reassure them that this is not something that is contagious. You do not want your child worrying that being around you is going to make them sick too.
Being diagnosed when you are a parent is even more scary than being diagnosed is alone. Knowing that your children could grow up without you is the greatest fear of many parents. If your child is struggling with your diagnosis look for ways that they can help. Fundraising for a Cause can offer your child a chance to raise money to help fund your cancer treatments which can help them feel as though you are beating the disease together. You can also purchase a new item for your child’s room together that helps support breast cancer research.