Last week my one of my daughter's best friends (age 9) was diagnosed with serious leukeamia. My family have been devasted by this news. She is a such an angel, the embodiment of happiness. She is now hospitalized and on chemotherapy. She has stopped talking, is refusing to eat or drink and thinks she is going to die.
My own family have cried so much about this terrible situation. What can we say to the parents and to this little girl that will help?
9 years ago my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and given a 20% chance of living 5 years. We were lucky and she is alive and well but at the time I plunged the depths of despair and remember feeling so lonely and helpless, yet wanting to present a brave face to the world and be strong for my wife.
Then, a few years ago this little girl's mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer. To help, most weekends I would take my daughter and her friend to the movies, zoo or swimming every weekend while the mum was having her chemotherapy. So, we have a strong emotional tie to these people.
However, I am finding cancer in a child even more upsetting and am struggling to know what we can do or say to help our little friend. If you have been through this, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts.
My own family have cried so much about this terrible situation. What can we say to the parents and to this little girl that will help?
9 years ago my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and given a 20% chance of living 5 years. We were lucky and she is alive and well but at the time I plunged the depths of despair and remember feeling so lonely and helpless, yet wanting to present a brave face to the world and be strong for my wife.
Then, a few years ago this little girl's mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer. To help, most weekends I would take my daughter and her friend to the movies, zoo or swimming every weekend while the mum was having her chemotherapy. So, we have a strong emotional tie to these people.
However, I am finding cancer in a child even more upsetting and am struggling to know what we can do or say to help our little friend. If you have been through this, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts.