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Talking to kids about lung cancer - How did you do it?
Reading someone else's post where kids were mentioned made me think of a question for everyone.
If you were diagnosed with lung cancer and you had kids at home - doesn't matter what age - how did you talk to them about your cancer? How did they handle it? Whether you are a survivor or caregiver, if you are a parent of a kid who lives at home, this can be a big issue to deal with. Have you found that particular things worked? What challenges have you had?
Please share your experience. I think it would be interesting to hear about how different people have faced this challenge.
Amy
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by DavidatpMOD on
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That's a very good and important question. In my case, I think it really depends on the kids age and their personality. My youngest grandson was 5 when I was diagnosed and that really isn't old enough to fully understand the situation whereas the 9 year old could understand and had to be handled with kid gloves. We told him but didn't give very many details. We just told the 5yo that I was sick and had to go see a doctor often. Thanks for the post Amy. I'm interested to hear what others have to say. Good luck, God bless and keep the faith...
David
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Permalink Reply by AmyLCA on -
Hi David,
Thanks for sharing this. Did you notice the 9 year old dealing with it in any specific ways, like did he seem concerned or just go about his business?
Amy
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He did show some concern, but he isn't a real vocal kid and it's hard to tell what's going on inside his head sometimes. It seemed like he handled it well and Im not sure he had a complete understanding. I think it's fine that they really don't know all the facts.
David
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Permalink Reply by jc123 on -
I got home this week from my second lung cancer surgery. I have 2 granddaughters but they are so different. My youngest who is 9 does not remember me having the first surgery. She and I are the closest and I could and still can tell it had a profound effect on her. She has always been very tender with me but she has gotten even more so. She wanted to spend the nigth with me before my surgery and I had asked her to get my overnight bag down from a shelf in my closet. When I got to the hospital she had slipped a note in the bag telling me how much she loves me and she hopes I get well soon. While I was in the hospital she sent me a card she made for me and whe wrote that her basketball team was going to wear pink shirts for cancer and she was wearing hers for me. The 13 yr old has withdrawn somewhat but tonight she did hug and kiss me more than usualEven my 42 yr old baby is a bit more tinder these days....Cancer really does effect the entire fr=amily I do believe in being as honest with them as their age can accomadate.
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