KEEPING THE FAITH NO MATTER WHAT...
Finding out your child has cancer
As a parent you never like seeing your child sick. When they get stitches or broken bones it is hard on you. When they are emotionally upset that is equally upsetting. God forbid a parent ever has to hear the words, “your child has cancer”. Any life threatening illness is hard to take.
From the first time a parent hears those words the first reaction is shock and then complete fear. Having faith in God is where your fears are eased. Being powerless over anything you want to control is hard. Being powerless over watching your child suffer has got to be the hardest. Your child is riding their bike, skipping around, playing ball and then those words do not seem like they pertain to your child.
A part of you thinks maybe the doctor is wrong. The doctors sit down and start discussing protocol, side effects and procedures with you and it is almost impossible to hear. It is happening and it has to be dealt with. A parent will feel like they can change things. Their children will be different. They will not lose their hair, or vomit or have countless blood transfusions and hospital stays. Preparing yourself is all you can do. The one thing not to listen to is the survival rate percentages. The only one that knows any outcome is God. That is whom you lean on and where the faith has got to come from.
One of the hardest things is when you have to tell your child they have cancer. Look at your child and tell them it is cancer but everything is curable. Let them know they will be okay and you will be there to help them through it all. Prepare them for what side effects will do. There is medicine for nausea and wigs and scarves for hair loss. It does not mean they will not “freak out”. It is okay; just let them. Be positive. When you leave the room and you are in a safe place then you can cry and scream and let it all out. Do not let them see your fear.
As time goes on the routine gets easier. There will be hard and fearful days. Believe you will get through it. Both your child and you will be stronger and enjoy the miracles of life together. The outcome for my daughter is one of those miracles.
(Taken from my book, “SMILING THROUGH THE TEARS, Through The Eyes Of A Mother”)