Become an Advocate Immediately

All parents want their children to grow up to be healthy, smart and respected adults, parents with children battling/ fighting cancer want them to be able to live and see another day. When a child is diagnosed with cancer, a parent’s world is turned upside-down at a moment's notice.  There are many life changing decisions that have to be made with little preparation and in a very short time span.  Time is of the essence!  Learn and connect with the Professionals that can help your child!  Do not spend time in pity right now, your child needs you like never before!  Your child needs to see you strong and willing to fight this battle right along with them. 

 

A parent, grandparent or guardian needs to become that child’s advocate as no one knows your child like you and no one will look out for your child better than you can. Employ family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc… in the beginning to do the leg work on researching the type of cancer and best treatment plan, children’s hospitals specializing in treatment, doctors who specialize in care, if proton radiation will work in place of traditional x-ray (photon) radiation, keeping accurate records, if anyone has names and numbers to try to get the ball rolling if your child needs to be seen at a different hospital and never be afraid to get a second, third, fourth opinion; knowledge is power. You need a lot of answers to questions and you will have little time to make tough decisions. 

 

Always ask questions and be able to communicate with the doctor(s) openly and freely but always in private. During hospital stays, if at all possible, always try have someone stay with the child both day and night, this helps give a visual presence to the medical staff that you are monitoring the child’s treatment which usually will ensure a proper level of care. Many people will offer help but never be afraid to ask for a hot meal once and awhile, you’ll be glad you did. Do not get overwhelmed with the information you will get from others, use and seek out which will be helpful for what you need. 

 

Not all doctors are alike but in the end, it doesn’t matter what a doctor may think about the parents, the doctor needs to be taking care of your child to the best of their ability and you, the parent, need to make sure that they are. Don’t take baby steps and settle for mediocre when there could be something better around the corner, find out now. You never want to say “maybe we should have….,” make sure the first time. And after treatment has ended, always have a plan of action you will need to take if there should be a reoccurrence, you don’t want to be scrambling around for ideas and answers like in the beginning.