Help for Child with Cancer

Hi L.,
I am so very sorry...There is nothing more devastating then watching a child go thru this horrible ordeal, I know first hand, I lost my angel boy when he was 8yrs. old to a very rare form of cancer. My little Timmy would just light up when he saw the mailman coming up the walk. He was highly profiled due to the rarity of his cancer, so he recieved alot of mail, cards, gifts, etc., but it was the cards that included hand drawings from his friends and a dollar in them that really made him smile! Of course, you could send more or add a little gift, but those cards sent on a regular basis made his day. It gave him something to think about in anticipation of waiting for the mailman, rather then consuming himself with thoughts of drs. needles, pain, and sickness. He had alittle safe that he would deposit his funds in. We went to Mayo clinic every 3rd week for a weeks stay and the first morning there was filled with all testing, when that was finished, I would take him shopping to spend his money before going for what would be the first daily round of chemo.He would buy books, puzzles, etc. things we could do together during our stay. Doesn't sound like much, but let me tell you, it did take his mind off what was coming, if even for a little while.It wasn't even the things the money would buy, it was the domino effect it created to keep his little mind busy. Hope this helps. My prayers to all...God Bless!

About me...Grandmother of 3 precious angels, Ashlie 9, Jacob 7, Jessica 3.

Here is a site which lists a lot of thoughtful things that your granddaughter (and her family) can do for her friend and the family:

http://www.squirreltales.com/parents/friends.html

For clinic visits and hospital stays I would suggest simple, lap items:

coloring books
stickers
Crayola "no mess" finger paints and markers sets
crafty items like beading sets
lacing cards
wipe on-wipe off books/boards
books with interactive stickers/magnets/sounds
fun hats - if she hasn't lost her hair yet, and even if she has, she will need to be careful in the sun to avoid sunburn
a colorful little backpack or bag for clinic visits/hospital stays

I would avoid stuffed animals as it seems they just collect.

Having had a child who went through treatment for leukemia, the chemotherapy regimen is usually long (about 26 months for girls and over 36 months for boys).

Please be sure that your granddaughter is completely well before any playdates are scheduled as the friend with leukemia will have lessened immunity and will, unfortunately, often be able to pick up all sorts of illnesses easily.

For information on leukemia please try these sites:

www.all-kids.org (Support group for families of children with Acute Lymphocytic/Lymphoblastic Leukemia)
www.curesearch.org (CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation)
www.leukemia.org (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.

A.
Illinois Team Leader for CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation

The movie "Why Charlie Brown, Why?" is a Peanuts video about a little girl who gets cancer and has chemo. I'm a teacher and we used it at my school when one of our 1st graders was diagnosed with Leukemia. It's an awesome movie, the kids loved seeing it and always wanted to see it more than once. You can find it online using Google.

This is not exactly the same situation, but I think it would work. My 3yr olds friend's grandma died. We went to build-a-bear and made her a bear. My daughter picked out the special things for her friend, and we made sure that the birth certificate for the bear had all the little girls information on it. She loved it and it cost us about 20 bucks.

My nephew went through leukemia treatment a few years ago (and thankfully is healthy now!) I like the idea to send little things like books and puzzles that can come in the mail, or maybe a new DVD for her to watch.

Also, don't forget the entire family will be strained and busy with all of the clinic and hospital visits for a long time to come. If you can find the resources to provide a gift certificate for food or a homecooked casserole, I'm sure they will all be grateful!

My friend's son went through chemo. She said Legos got him through all of it. Check out the Lego store.

Hi L.,

Bless your heart for being so thoughtful!!! How about having your granddaughter make her friend some pictures or help her write her own story about the 2 of them and a fun playdate they had? She could also send her a teddy bear...those always put smiles on kids faces!!!!

L. Iw as not a childhood cancer patient but a recent breast cancer patient. Something that helped me and might help your little one is Books on tape or cd. Sometimes the actual thought of moving or trying to pay attention to something during chemo is just too much. Your to tired. both physically and emotionally. But a book on tape is a wonderful thing. it can play and you can listen or just let your mind wander. I personally loved the harry potter cd's but they would be too old for a 3 yr old. but there are many many wonderful books on cd/tape for all age groups. Good luck with the treatments. I am saying prayers.
S.

I underwent Chemotherapy about 3 years ago and the thing that got me throught the treatments was just having the TV on or having someone visiting with me. The nurses where I went were always cracking jokes. It was becoming a Social Hour! I would suggest maybe bringing another child with to occupy your granddaughter or play games. I can't imagine how difficult it is for a 3 year old to sit through a treatment! Hope your granddaugter gets better soon!