The outlook for children with cancer has improved greatly in the past several decades. Still, cancer in a child is an overwhelming experience for a family. Surviving Childhood Cancer: A Guide for Families describes the illness, its treatment, and how it changes the lives of both the child with cancer and his or her family. Although there is no simple recipe for survival, there are ways to make the experience of cancer more bearable. Written with great sensitivity and understanding, this book provides practical advice about how to cope with emotions and stress how to handle communication about the illness with the child as well as with family members, friends, classmates, employers, and others where to obtain information and help how to develop honest and trusting relationships with medical caregivers
Interwoven throughout the text are many insightful and inspirational stories of those who have faced and survived cancer. Through these stories, the reader learns how others have not only gotten through the ordeal but also emerged from it stronger and more aware of what is truly important in life.
The diagnosis. Emotions. Aftermath of the diagnosis. What cancer is. Treatment. Information and practical help. Help for parents and children. Adapting and coping. Family and friends. Siblings and grandparents. Paying for treatment. School. The long haul. Ethical issues. Appendix A: Resources. Appendix B: Glossary. Appendix C: Bibliography. Index.
[This book] is a rich resource of advice for alleviating the distress and pain experienced by young patients, their families, and others in their extended social networks. It should be offered to all parents of children suffering from neoplastic disease and thus be part of the personal library of any health professional who works with such patients or their families. Thomas N. Wise, M.D., Editor, Psychosomatics Although this book is of greatest value for those who are directly affected by childhood cancer, the well-informed and insightful account Ms. Fromer provides will instruct anyone who is at all interested in cancer. Sanford Leiken, M.D., Former Chief of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology,Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC This book is intended for children who have the disease and for their families. Not just mothers and fathers, but brothers and sisters too, for they are as severely affected -- in a different way -- as the patients themselves. It is also for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends.
