Updated: July 16, 1997

Gini's Place

 
 


Caroline's Rainbow





Victoria's first Swim Team
9 months off treatment
Kingwood, Texas, 1992













Dear Reader:

Victoria had Stage I Wilms Tumor in 1991--appropriate months of chemotherapy and her prognosis is great. Here are some lists of suggestions that might be helpful to you. Please remember, I am not an authority, just a Mom who has been there. Also, keep in mind that different things work for different people. (I dont mean to sound dictatorial, but that is the nature of lists.)

Diagnosis:

  1. Take notes.
  2. Try and take spouse or friend to all appointments--four ears hear better than two, and people process information differently.
  3. Gently tell co-workers, colleagues, friends and family that you would rather not hear cancer stories of someones great Aunt, who had something entirely different anyway, that you need to just center on your child now.


In Hospital:

  1. Eat nutritious, whole foods. Since hospital food is often icky and non-nutritious, have someone bring you it in for you. Avoid junk food.
  2. Drink plenty of water, juice, caffeine-free pop. Avoid caffeine. (I know its hard)
  3. Take a good multi-vitamin, if you dont already.
  4. Bring childs own pillow (yours as well), blanket, photos, and anything else from home that will make the hopsital room fell more cozy and personalized
  5. Watch less TV and listen to more music. Classical is nice at night, even if you dont listen to it often. Bring a radio and a tape/CD player and music from home and from the library, if possible.
  6. Do yoga and stretching, and breathing exercises in the room. Try and remember the deep breathing exercises you learned in childbirth classes when you were pregnant with this child.
  7. Try and get someone to give you a break so you can go outside for a walk or a run.
  8. Remember that you are your childs advocate, be gracious, but assertive with the staff. Read the chart and be ever vigilant.


Treatment/At Home:

  1. Again, if possible, take spouse or friend to appointments.
  2. Eat a well balanced diet, and avoid junk food. Make yogurt smoothies for your child using protein powder, organic fruit, etc. Eat organiz, whoe food from a natural foods market.
  3. Tackle behavior issues. Seek therapy if necessary.
  4. Keep lines of communication open between you and your spouse, family members and your child. If child is old enough, encourage him/her to keep a journal. You keep a journal as well.
  5. Seek help from a support group, (sometimes its not easy to find a support group that addresses your childs specific type of cancer). Seek help from clergy, if you havnet already.
  6. When friends and family ask if they can help, be assertive and specific:
    1. help care for other children
    2. do a load of laundry
    3. run errands
    4. keep you company
  7. Talk with your childs school principal or social worker about his/her special needs.
  8. Engage someone from the oncology department/hospital to go to your childs school and give a presetnation about kids with cancer and your childs needs.


Off Treatment/The Future

  1. Try and not think of your child as fragile (yes, I know its hard).
  2. Continue to keep your journals.
  3. Continue to eat nutritiously.
  4. Seek therapy, if necessary.
  5. Help other families dealing with childhood cancer, if possible.
  6. Be hopeful and optimistic.


Love,
Gini

P.S. Please e-mail me if I can help.


Victoria - dancing beauty
a few months into treatment 1991














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