Wasn’t your child’s cancer diagnosis an overwhelming and frightening time for your family?
From the very first moment, you probably felt like your world had turned upside down. But here you are, stronger than you thought possible, facing each day with determination and hope.
Your child has shown incredible courage, and you’ve discovered a fierce love that can move mountains. Now that you’re on the other side of treatment, you might be wondering what comes next.
The journey doesn’t end when treatment does; it just changes direction. You’re not just raising a child anymore, but a survivor. While that comes with its own unique challenges and joys, it also gives you an amazing opportunity to help other families facing this same scary road.
In this article, we’ll share how you can help your little warrior thrive.
#1 Keep Up With Long-Term Follow-Up Care
Once treatment ends, it’s easy to think the worst is behind you. In many ways, it is, but follow-up care is important. These checkups help doctors catch any health hiccups early on, often before they become bigger concerns.
Follow-up care’s duration depends on the type of cancer. Take Eleanore Yousef, a 5-year-old survivor of neuroblastoma, for example. Her treatment is complete, yet Yousef continues to visit her doctor for follow-up treatments.
Why so? That is because this rare cancer of nerve tissue has a 50% chance of recurrence, so its follow-up care lasts for up to 5 years after treatment is complete.
Even if life gets busy, don’t skip on appointments. Grab a notebook and jot down appointment dates, any questions that pop into your head, notes from the doctor, or any little changes you notice in your child. This little journal can be a big help in remembering details and sharing information easily with doctors.
Don’t feel uncomfortable asking your child’s doctor any questions that are on your mind. Truly, no question is too small or silly when it comes to your child’s health and well-being.
#2 Nurture Hope and Normalcy
Your child is a cancer survivor. But don’t forget that they are also a kid who loves pizza, hates math homework, and dreams about becoming a doctor, pilot, or astronaut.
Help them see themselves beyond their diagnosis. It’s one of the most important things you can do. Create a home environment that brims with love, stability, and understanding. It helps your child grow strong and blossom.
Let them participate in age-appropriate activities whenever possible. If they want to play soccer, find a way to make it work safely. If they are passionate about art, sign them up for classes. These normal childhood experiences help build confidence and show them that cancer doesn’t define their limits.
There’s a special kind of magic in routines. So, keep up with regular activities like school, hobbies, playtime with friends, and cherished family traditions. This can bring a wonderful sense of stability and normalcy to your child’s life.
Emmett Zorr, a 13-year-old, is a true inspiration. The young boy, now free of cancer, plays basketball, rides a motorcycle, and hits golf balls.
#3 Keep an Eye on Childhood Cancer Research
Learning a little bit about new discoveries in childhood cancer research can bring so much hope.
It’s exciting to see how doctors and scientists are always working to find even better ways to help kids. This knowledge can help you ask good questions during doctor visits and feel more involved and confident in your child’s long-term care.
New research isn’t just happening in a lab somewhere; it has real-world benefits.
Discoveries can lead to better ways to manage any late effects your child might experience. It also helps in creating even safer and more effective treatments for children who will be diagnosed in the future.
Neuroblastoma, for instance, has a poor prognosis when it’s high-risk. Adding the drug retinoic acid to the treatment increased the survival rate by 10% to 15%. But it was effective only when a bulk of the tumor was largely eliminated.
Why retinoic acid worked so well in this setting had puzzled scientists for nearly 5 decades.
According to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, this acid uses a novel mechanism to kill neuroblastoma cells that spread to other body parts. This finding could pave the way for new and better combination therapies in the future.
So, keep an eye on new research. It’s amazing what science can do, and staying informed can help you support your child every step of the way.
#4 Let Your Child Volunteer for Awareness
Helping others can feel absolutely amazing, especially for young survivors.
It can be incredibly empowering and give them a chance to turn their own experiences into something positive for other people. This can be a wonderful way for them to build confidence and see their own journey as a source of strength and empathy.
September is a very special month. It’s Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. You’ll often see the color gold shining brightly, as it’s a beautiful symbol for childhood cancer awareness.
If your child feels comfortable, share their story. This could be through social media or at small, supportive community events. You could also organize a “Go Gold” day in your neighborhood. Even small roles in fundraisers, like helping at a bake sale or a charity walk, can feel very impactful.
As a parent, you can nurture this giving spirit. Talk with your child about what causes they care about. Let them choose activities that genuinely excite them.
Look for age-appropriate roles that fit their energy and abilities. Many organizations list volunteer needs. It’s often best to start small, ensuring the commitment isn’t overwhelming. Help them see the positive impact their actions have on others.
Raising a strong child who’s battled cancer and supporting the fight for cure is a journey filled with love, hope, and incredible strength. It’s a path you take one step at a time, and every step you take forward is a win.
Remember your own amazing strength through all of this. You are not alone. There is a vast, caring community ready to walk alongside you, offering support, understanding, and a hand to hold.
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