How to Juggle Cancer & Parenting

Help kids cope: It is important to understand that a child's anxiety around a parent's cancer is an appropriate reaction, and not a sign of mental illness. Counseling and group therapy sessions can help kids develop the tools they need to weather the ups and downs of their parent's cancer treatment.

Linnea's Story - ongoing series on how to juggle cancer and parenting - I was honest with him. I showed him my bandages, my scars and did not pretend that nothing was wrong. I empowered him by making him my "helper guy."

On the corner of Broadway and Union, on Seattle's Capitol Hill, sits an old brick building with a red door, and four stately white columns in front. Magic happens in this building. This building is the home of Gilda's Club Seattle, and Camp Sparkle.

Ari's Story - ongoing series on how to juggle cancer and parenting - It was difficult [to ask for help] and still is. But I have found that many want to help and do not know how to offer. They are often grateful to be able to do something for you.

Roxanne Haller's story: Have faith, take care of yourself, allow others to help you. Let go of the idea of the perfect house and perfect parenting. You can only be a parent if you are alive to do it...so take care of your health.

Recurrence is a real fear and something that comes up a lot. Help to keep me smiling and laughing and I’ll do the same for you!

Kathy Stokes' Story - I'm divorced but asked my ex to be there to tell the kids. That was a big support mechanism in the sense of "we're fighting this as a family." Humor works really well with my kids. It opens them up. Eg, at dinner, daughter asks, "Dad, can I have another chicken breast?"

This piece comes from the perspective of the child of a survivor. Sonya's mother was diagnose when she was still a kid. She has words of encouragement for parents concerned about the impact of their cancer on their children.

Karey Gauthier's story: Cancer is a medical diagnosis, not an identity. It colors who you are just as any major experience would, be it pregnancy, pets, kids, diabetes, etc. However, it does not define you or your future. For loved ones, give offers of help, but be specific.

Type of Cancer: Breast cancer - Stage 2B/3A Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with lymph node involvement, Her2 positive, highly aggressive stage at diagnosis: Stage 2b Treatment Plan: adjuvant chemotherapy, double mastectomy, expanders, followed by gated radiation & an additional 6 months of Herceptin infusions Current Status: NED, baby!!

I have been on both sides of the fence… having cancer and watching a person I love go through it. At times I do not know which is worse. Be as open and honest as possible. Try and laugh about it some of the quirky side effects etc. Laughter is amazing medicine and lets your partner know that it’s okay to laugh

Long term, I worry about a recurrence, about dying, about leaving my husband with 2 boys to raise on his own. I hope though, that this was just another experience among many in their childhoods. It will, no doubt, impact them. I don’t want it to dominate them though.

She wanted to talk to me about cancer, but she hesitated. She was worried because she thought her cancer wasn't as bad as mine. When I finally realized the reason for the hesitation, for the trepidation in her voice, my heart dropped. She had just apologized because she thought her cancer wasn't bad enough.

Body image is a critical issue when raising young girls. When mom's body image is complicated by cancer, things get interesting.

BY JUDY SCHWARTZ HALEY / AUGUST 13, 2015 If you or someone close to you is diagnosed with an illness, there will be so many questions running through your mind - so imagine how your kids must feel! People sometimes find themselves at a loss regarding how to talk to children about a serious medical condition.