I'm sorry for this Dear MP

There are booklets regarding telling the children, and if you contact the American Cancer Society, you can get the booklets you need for you and your family.
- everything there is free to you btw -

Telling the children is okay, and there are suggestions on how to do this.

I had to tell my adult child, which is a bit different and the direct works there, as well as sharing and allowing the adult to have imput, as much as they need, in the treatment and your decisions.

With younger children, knowing Mommy is sick right now, and that she will be well very soon, is fine. Also, what they can do to help /mommy during her recovery will keep them grounded and feel included, and communication will help them aviod unnecessary fears.

Getting something like a big magnetic calander, with markers and eraser, or blackboard with colored chalk, and calling it something like 'communication hub' for this family is now a 'unit', and together we will keep our lives on track during this illness, by making a calander for all of us to check so we know what Mommy has to do today, and what else needs to get done for everyone else, and this will give all an idea on what the days will be like before they even happen, for the most part, and to anticipate the recovery and return to usual life again.

They can have their own color chalk or marker for their important appts. and you have yours. As well as Dad. (Dad will need an agenda for himself, of course).

I have that here and we are grown people, but you know what, we are all equal when it comes to cancer. We are all like children. We do not know. The whole family has it to deal with, so we want to include everyone, and spread positivity throughout our family units.

It will definitely bring your family closer, and keep things on an even keel if children can see things spelled out - like your communication hub - so they feel they are helpful by keeping it up. They can make hearts on it, whatever, just by a big one! Costco sells them and probably Staples or Offfice Max.

The oncology nurses working with the ACS, or your oncology office nurses can assist you too btw, with counsel on this and other questions on the 'how to do this and that' area, and also, they supply a list of professional counselors in your area that will give you a free consult - so you might practice with them first or hear what you need that applies to your childrens ages and the approach you want to take.

Also, there are other avenues of support for family and includes children for cancer patients from the ACS and those connected to cancer that the ACS can direct you too.

All services are free. All are beneficial too, for the whole family.

I will be hoping with everyone here for your speedy recovery from this.

If you would like to pm, please feel free.

I am up to sharing any info I have with you.

Oh.. I'm sorry I didn't see this thread earlier!
I really am.

Love and Radiant Health,
Night

ps. a suggestion, if I may, is to get a cd ... Bellaruth Naprastak has a powerful affirmation and imagery tape re: fighting cancer - that is a tremendous benefit to listen to whenever you want. I found it worthwhile taking the time out in the morning(at first), and at night(every night), to let these positive gentle messages into my consciousness.