I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer and am waiting for biopsy results to confirm extent. I am not sure how to handle this with my boys who are 7 and 11... Turning 12 next week. How much do I tell them? Advice appreciated.
You know your boys more than anyone so know best how to temper what you have to tell them. But they must hear it from you first! Children are very resiliant and can take on board a lot more than we adults give them credit for. Let them know your basic situation to start with and that you will be getting treatment, you can then add to that information as time goes by, be prepared for lots of questions. Kim
Welcome to the forum! Kim has already given you some very good advice. We have a page on Talking to Children about Cancer here.
We also try to answer the difficult question of How to tell my Child I have Cancer here and the different factors to consider when broaching the subject with them.
Thank you for that reply Kim and that does make sense. I get upset when I think about it and I am worried that I will make it worse. I am speaking about it to friends in part to practice saying it out loud. It still doesn't feel real.
Hi Its never easy explaining to anyone your situation and children are no exception. When my cancer
was confirmed. Breaking the news to my wife and children took some courage. How best was I going to explain to them the how where and when sceniros. The1st thing i did, was assured them that were pleanty of treatments availible. And as mine had been detected early, I had a good chance of surviving from it.
My wife accepted it in as much, that it was cancer that I had, but wanted to know more as to when the
treatment was starting .The girls however wre a diffrent story my eldest took on the chin , just like her
Mother, our 2 other daughters burst into tears , but no end of explaing to them that I was going to be ok
would reassure them..Eventtually they came round to the fact of my cancer and now we better exept the way forward . Think carefuly about what you are going to tell them, and more importantly sit down with your consultant and asked him all the questions you have jotted downn. A list is inportant so too is finding out about what help and support is avvailable for you and your family too.
Sorry I didn't see that reply at the time but that's kind if what happened with my two boys the eldest burst in into tears and ran out of the room. My youngest is 7 and so his understanding of the situation was not high. Things gave settled now and boys seem to be ok we are open about what's happening and even joke about it, seems sensible because we joke about everything else.
