September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Joining me to discuss this topic on the Born To Talk Radio Show Podcast was Dr. Peter Phillips, an attending physician with the Cancer Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Here is a recap and a link to the show. Thank you Marsha and Peter. Listen to the show here.
Here are words a parent never wants to hear from a physician, “Your child has cancer.”
Now What?
Both Dr. Peter and I take you on a guided tour into their our lives about childhood cancer.
Dr. Peter has over 40 years of experience as a Pediatric Oncologist and Professor of Pediatrics. His research includes neuro-oncology and cellular mechanisms of neurotoxicity.
You will hear about the advances in medicine today. Technology has played a significant difference in treating children with cancer. In my book, I talk about the role parents can play in helping their child with this diagnosis. They are:
- Make sure the child does not feel responsible for their condition.
- Make the household functions as normal as possible, even under the circumstances. That in turn, reassures the child.
- Never show anxiety in the presence of the child. They can read your face. The child may presume it’s about them when it could be completely unrelated.
- You almost have to become, detached, but as an extremely interested outsider. Help the child develop logical conclusions based on reliable data.
Takeaways.
Me:
“Diet is key. Limiting grains, including wheat, oat, rice, and corn. They add to the added glucose that feeds cancer. A balanced diet is important. Talk honestly with your child. Ask them what’s on their mind. Their fear of the unknown. Seek support from professionals for the entire family. Involve the child in activities such as cooking. Parents can play a role by acting out what their child might expect.” I have found that these tips can reduce stress.
Dr. Peter:
“I find it important for parents to understand the difference between hope and expectation. Expectation in cancer treatment is what science and research have shown us is likely to happen. It is about where we are right now. Hope goes beyond our current expectations and looks toward much better treatment outcomes in the future. And my colleagues and I are all about hope.”
Thank you for listening to the show.
I’ve found through my Conversations and Connections that we all share a sense of Community. It might be where you live, or perhaps it’s a sense of fellowship with others sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.
The natural progression of Community is a sense of belonging resulting in relationships and story-telling. This is where my curiosity takes shape and I ask the question, “What’s Your Story?” We all have stories and I have the opportunity to share my guest’s stories and passions with you each week. — Marsha Wietecha, Born To Talk
When Your Child Has Cancer: Insights and Information to Empower Parents
I hope you help me share that my fourth book is now available on Amazon, the second on the topic of cancer. If you are the parent of a child with cancer, the questions and feelings you have can be overwhelming. In this insightful and thoughtful book, you will find information, hope, advice, and solace.
When Your Child Has Cancer expertly guides you to understand childhood cancer. I offer two new scientific theories to explain how the leading types of childhood cancers might occur, given that children have not lived long enough to develop the number of gene mutations that usually cause adult cancers. You will learn how you as parents can care for your child with cancer.
Most importantly, you will learn how your child’s diet can be a key corollary element in controlling cancer along with the medical treatments. The eBook is only $2.99 for September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
