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In This Issue... | |
Headlines
My Friend Has Cancer. How Can I help?
What Is Cancer?
Fever & Taking Your Child's Temperature
Recognizing the Symptoms of Childhood Cancer
Children diagnosed with cancer: Dealing with the diagnosis
Talking To the Pharmacist
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| My Friend Has Cancer. How Can I Help? | |
Your friend has been diagnosed with cancer but you're the one freaking out: What can I do? How should I act? Is it OK to talk about it? What's "normal" now?
It's hard to know how to respond when someone you love - someone your own age - is diagnosed with cancer. It can be frightening, confusing, and may bring on some heavy thoughts about life and death. You might even struggle with the temptation to pull back from your friendship so you can avoid the uncomfortable feelings you have. But your friend needs you now more than ever. So what should you do?
It's normal to have to difficult feelings; don't try to brush them off. Try to think a bit about what you're feeling. You'll expect to feel sadness, of course, and fear, and maybe anger. But it's also natural to feel some surprising emotions like disappointment or embarrassment.
Of course you don't want to burden your friend with your feelings. But you need support, too. So try to find someone you can turn to - like a parent or school counselor. Once you have a way of dealing with your own feelings, it will be easier not to let your emotions or fears get in the way of being a good friend.
Here are some ways you can help.
Be Prepared
You probably know that your friend could lose hair as a side effect of cancer treatment. But you may also notice emotional and physical changes in your friend. Some things that you may see happen include:
- Vomiting and nausea. Try not to be hurt if the double-chocolate brownies you baked with such love sit untouched on the plate. Your friend may not feel like eating - at home or out. In fact, someone with cancer may not feel like going out at all if he or she is worried about throwing up in public. You might want to reassure your friend that you know this is a possibility and that you realize it's a side effect of cancer treatment.
- Weakness, fatigue, and lack of endurance. Cancer treatments can make even the smallest things a big struggle - like walking up stairs or carrying schoolbooks. Your friend may suddenly become too tired to talk on the phone or be unable to walk around the mall. Let your friend take things at his or her own pace, though. Don't automatically assume people with cancer won't want to go out or that they should stay home. Let your friend make the call, but be understanding if the exertion proves too much.
- Embarrassment. Your friend may be even more self-conscious about having cancer because he or she can't do what other people do or look the way they look.
But your friend's not the only one who may feel awkward. Be prepared for your own feelings, too: Some people can feel uncomfortable about being seen with a friend who has no hair or looks physically different. We all feel temporary embarrassment at times - who hasn't cringed at something a friend does or wears? The good news is, we get over it.
- Difficulty keeping up in school. Your friend may fall behind in school. Cancer treatments can sap a lot of energy and teens getting chemotherapy or radiation may struggle academically. People can also feel disconnected and left out of things when they miss school a lot.
Emotional Support
So what can you do to help your friend? Here are some ideas.
- Be there. OK, so this is obvious, but it's also critically important. Teens with cancer often feel isolated and alone, especially if they're in the hospital or away from school for long stretches of time. Visit as often as you can. Fight the urge to stay away because you feel awkward or wish this weren't happening. Even if you aren't sure what to say to your friend, just being there to show your support will mean so much. If distance or your schedule makes it hard to be there in person, stay in touch by sending notes and cards and by emailing, IMing, phoning, or texting.
You can also offer to drive other friends to the hospital or set up an email list or an online social network group so your friend can stay connected.
- Talk about it - and listen. Friends going through tough times like to talk about it. Listen, ask questions, and do some basic research on your own so you can understand more about the type of cancer and what your friend might be feeling. Don't be afraid to ask questions of your friend's family, the doctors, and other cancer patients.
- Be patient. People with cancer, understandably, are often sad, anxious, and afraid. On top of that, some treatments have side effects like fatigue or mood swings. If you show up to visit and your friend seems distant, angry, or less than enthused, try not to take it personally. Don't give up; your friend is going through a lot. Come back again tomorrow and chances are things will be better.
- Keep it real - but keep it positive. It can help to talk about the future and to make plans in a realistic, compassionate way. Don't shrug off your friend's fears or concerns about death, but do try to offer realistic specific examples of other people - famous people, people you know - who have survived this type of cancer. (No examples come to mind? Do a Web search!)
Practical Support
"If there's anything I can do..." is a nice thing to say. But families of teens with cancer often say that the more specific the offer, the better.
Here are a few things you can offer to do:
- Be the point person. Help your friend's family spend less time updating people by phone or email - offer to relay messages to friends, teachers, and others on a regular basis. Make sure you have the phone numbers and email addresses you need, and then create a list so you can text or email everyone at once when there is news to report.
- Go a little nutty. Don't be afraid to be silly. Humor can be an excellent distraction, so consider showing up with joke books, Mad Libs (remember those?), Silly String, comedy DVDs, weird little toys - anything you think your friend would like. If your friend is feeling low on energy, which is common during treatment, bring in the fun and turn up the silliness.
- Make a care package. Talk with your friend's parents about what foods your friend can and can't have - and what foods might be favorites right now (when people are sick, their tastes can change). Or put together some fun, escapist stuff for your friend to do while alone, perhaps fast-read novels or games like Sudoku. Wrap up your package and bring it to the hospital or your friend's home.
- Step in with siblings. If your friend has siblings, spend some time with them. They probably feel a lot of the same things you do, so you might be able to help each other through it.
- Help out with schoolwork. Offer to help your friend with homework - everything from passing along assignments to tutoring your friend or working together if it's appropriate. Even something as simple as taking really good notes (or asking someone else to do so if your friend is not in your class) can be a huge help.
- Create a blog. Have friends and family members contribute to a blog - or, offline, fill a small notebook - with funny or meaningful stories, quotes, and trivia from your friendship. Be careful not to give it a tone of "these were the last good times," but instead let it be a fun reminder of how much your friend means to everyone and how eager you are for his/her recovery so you can keep making memories! Consider adding pictures and making it look like a celebrity magazine about your friend. Give it as a gift so your friend can read it when feeling down.
- Take care of yourself. Your friend's cancer will take a toll on you, too, so try to be aware of your own emotional needs. Consider keeping a journal as well as talking with a trusted adult about the impact this has on you.
The bottom line: The most important thing is to be there for your friend, in whatever way feels natural.
Reviewed by:
Dora A. Temple, LCSW
Date reviewed: November 2008
For more information click here- kidshealth.org
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| Recognizing the Symptoms of Childhood Cancer | |
Recognizing the Symptoms of Childhood Cancer
Signs and symptoms of childhood cancer often mimic many childhood illnesses. Childhood cancer is a rare occurrence, so the following symptoms may indicate only a minor illness. As a parent, however, you may be wondering how you can tell whether your child has a more serious illness such as cancer. If you notice any of the following warning signs in your son or daughter for a continued period of time, please be sure to visit your physician.
- Continued, unexplained weight loss
- Persistent early morning vomiting accompanied by headaches
- A lump or mass, especially in the abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis or armpits
- Development of excessive bleeding
- A whitish color behind the pupil
Since children can't always recognize or describe their symptoms, parents need to observe their children for any of the above, or other sudden, persistent changes in health or behavior.
Remember, childhood cancer may only be one of many explanations for these conditions, but be sure to talk to your child's doctor, or get a second opinion if you are concerned.
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Health Woes Common in Childhood Cancer Survivors | |
Kids who survive cancer in childhood are more likely to have poorer health when they grow up, a new study says.
Researchers say adults who survive childhood cancer also are more likely to be limited in their ability to work and face limitations in daily functioning, including eating, dressing, and going to the toilet.
Such limitations decrease the productivity of adults who survive cancer as youths, the study says.
The study suggests that the effects of childhood cancer are long-lasting and that the medical community should pay special attention to the health risks associated with childhood cancer in survivors for as long as they live.
This is critical, the researchers say, because the number of survivors of childhood cancer has been increasing because of earlier detection and more effective treatments and medications.
Researchers led by Emily Dowling, MHS, of the National Cancer Institute set out to gauge the burdens childhood survivors might face as adults.
They analyzed information on 410 adults who had survived cancer as children as well as data on 294,641 adults who had not had any cancerous diseases.
Then they compared answers to a series of questions about their health and various abilities to function.
They found that:
- Survivors were more likely to report their health status as fair or poor, compared to adults who had not had cancer as children. Among respondents, 24.3% of cancer survivors reported themselves in fair or poor condition, vs. 10.9% of adults who'd never had cancer.
- 12.9% of cancer survivors reported having health limitations in their lives, compared to 3.4% of people who had not had cancer in childhood.
- 20.9% of childhood cancer survivors reported being unable to work in adulthood because of health problems, compared to 6.3% of people who'd been well throughout their youth.
- 30.9% of adult survivors of childhood cancer said they were limited in the amount or type of work they could do because of health problems. Researchers say 10.6% of other adults without a cancer history gave that answer.
- Fewer survivors reported having a job in the past year compared to people who had never had cancer.
- Adult survivors were more likely to be younger, not married (or separated), and to be non-Hispanic whites compared to people who had not had cancer in childhood.
- Adult survivors also were more likely to report having public health insurance, without supplemental private or military coverage. Having public health insurance, the authors say, can affect access and quality of care, because some doctors do not accept patients with public health insurance. Also, some survivors may report worse outcomes as adults because they delayed needed care because of cost.
To finish this article, click here- WebMD.com
By Bill Hendrick
Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD
WebMD Health News 
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What is Cancer? | | |
Cancer is a scary word. Almost everyone knows someone who got very sick or died from cancer. Most of the time, cancer affects older people. Not many kids get cancer, but when they do, very often it can be treated and cured.
What Is Cancer?
Cancer is actually a group of many related diseases that all have to do with cells. Cells are the very small units that make up all living things, including the human body. There are billions of cells in each person's body.
Cancer happens when cells that are not normal grow and spread very fast. Normal body cells grow and divide and know to stop growing. Over time, they also die. Unlike these normal cells, cancer cells just continue to grow and divide out of control and don't die when they're supposed to.
Cancer cells usually group or clump together to form tumors (say: too-mers). A growing tumor becomes a lump of cancer cells that can destroy the normal cells around the tumor and damage the body's healthy tissues. This can make someone very sick.
Sometimes cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel to other areas of the body, where they keep growing and can go on to form new tumors. This is how cancer spreads. The spread of a tumor to a new place in the body is called metastasis (say: meh-tas-tuh-sis).
Causes of Cancer
You probably know a kid who had chickenpox - maybe even you. But you probably don't know any kids who've had cancer. If you packed a large football stadium with kids, probably only one child in that stadium would have cancer.
Doctors aren't sure why some people get cancer and others don't. They do know that cancer is not contagious. You can't catch it from someone else who has it - cancer isn't caused by germs, like colds or the flu are. So don't be afraid of other kids - or anyone else - with cancer. You can talk to, play with, and hug someone with cancer.
Kids can't get cancer from anything they do either. Some kids think that a bump on the head causes brain cancer or that bad people get cancer. This isn't true! Kids don't do anything wrong to get cancer. But some unhealthy habits, especially cigarette smoking or drinking too much alcohol every day, can make you a lot more likely to get cancer when you become an adult.
Finding Out About Cancer
It can take a while for a doctor to figure out a kid has cancer. That's because the symptoms cancer can cause - weight loss, fevers, swollen glands, or feeling overly tired or sick for a while - usually are not caused by cancer. When a kid has these problems, it's often caused by something less serious, like an infection. With medical testing, the doctor can figure out what's causing the trouble.
If the doctor suspects cancer, he or she can do tests to figure out if that's the problem. A doctor might order X-rays and blood tests and recommend the person go to see an oncologist (say: on-kah-luh-jist). An oncologist is a doctor who takes care of and treats cancer patients. The oncologist will likely run other tests to find out if someone really has cancer. If so, tests can determine what kind of cancer it is and if it has spread to other parts of the body. Based on the results, the doctor will decide the best way to treat it.
One test that an oncologist (or a surgeon) may perform is a biopsy (say: by-op-see). During a biopsy, a piece of tissue is removed from a tumor or a place in the body where cancer is suspected, like the bone marrow. Don't worry - someone getting this test will get special medicine to keep him or her comfortable during the biopsy. The sample that's collected will be examined under a microscope for cancer cells.
The sooner cancer is found and treatment begins, the better someone's chances are for a full recovery and cure.
Treating Cancer Carefully
Cancer is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation - or sometimes a combination of these treatments. The choice of treatment depends on:
- the type of cancer someone has (the kind of abnormal cells causing the cancer)
- the stage of the tumor (meaning how much the cancer has spread within the body, if at all)
Surgery is the oldest form of treatment for cancer - 3 out of every 5 people with cancer will have an operation to remove it. During surgery, the doctor tries to take out as many cancer cells as possible. Some healthy cells or tissue may also be removed to make sure that all the cancer is gone.
Chemotherapy (say: kee-mo-ther-uh-pee) is the use of anti-cancer medicines (drugs) to treat cancer. These medicines are sometimes taken as a pill, but usually are given through a special intravenous (say: in-truh-vee-nus) line, also called an IV. An IV is a tiny plastic catheter (straw-like tube) that is put into a vein through someone's skin, usually on the arm. The catheter is attached to a bag that holds the medicine. The medicine flows from the bag into a vein, which puts the medicine into the blood, where it can travel throughout the body and attack cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is usually given over a number of weeks to months. Often, a permanent catheter is placed under the skin into a larger blood vessel of the upper chest. This way, a person can easily get several courses of chemotherapy and other medicines through this catheter without having a new IV needle put in. The catheter remains under the skin until all the cancer treatment is completed.
Radiation (say: ray-dee-ay-shun) therapy uses high-energy waves, such as X-rays (invisible waves that can pass through most parts of the body), to damage and destroy cancer cells. It can cause tumors to shrink and even go away completely. Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer. Many people with cancer find it goes away after receiving radiation treatments.
With both chemotherapy and radiation, kids may experience side effects. A side effect is an extra problem that's caused by the treatment. Radiation and anti-cancer drugs are very good at destroying cancer cells but, unfortunately, they also destroy healthy cells. This can cause problems such as loss of appetite, tiredness, vomiting, or hair loss. With radiation, a person might have red or irritated skin in the area that's being treated. But all these problems go away and hair grows back after the treatment is over. During the treatment, certain medicines can help a kid feel better.
While treatment is still going on, a kid might not be able to attend school or be around crowds of people - the kid needs to rest and avoid getting infections, such as the flu, when he or she already isn't feeling well. The body may have more trouble fighting off infections because of the cancer or side effects of the treatment.
Getting Better
Remission (say: ree-mih-shun) is a great word for anyone who has cancer. It means all signs of cancer are gone from the body. After surgery or treatment with radiation or chemotherapy, a doctor will then do tests to see if the cancer is still there. If there are no signs of cancer, then the kid is in remission.
Remission is the goal when any kid with cancer goes to the hospital for treatment. Sometimes, this means additional chemotherapy might be needed for a while to keep cancer cells from coming back. And luckily, for many kids, continued remission is the very happy end of their cancer experience.
Reviewed by: Stephen Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: January 2009
Originally reviewed by: Donna Patton, MD
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My name is Donald P. Tussey Sr. I am a single father to Angus 14 and Kelsie 17. Their mother and I separated in 2004, and she got custody of the kids. Angus was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2006.
At that time I was living in Alabama with my mother, she was dying with Liver Cancer. After my mother passed, and Angus was diagnosed, I moved back to N.C. to be with the kids and help out with Angus's treatment.
After I moved back, I observed how the kids were being taken care of. To my surprise and disappointment, it was apparent that their mother was exposing my children to prostitution and drugs within their home. These kids did not understand a chance of any kind of life. After reporting their mother's behavior, the State awarded me custody.
Angus went threw a three year treatment plan. I've been drawing disability since 1999. So, I was able to take good care of my son, staying at home. His Cancer went into remission in 2009. But, during his treatment he developed A.D.D. His doctors say it may be a side effect of the chemo meds. Angus is a fun loving kid, with a big heart. Right now, he is struggling with his grades, but very well behaved in school. He did fall behind while in treatment. I think with proper tutoring he will excel. Angus dreams of being in the military, and working for the government.
Kelsie is a very smart and beautiful young lady. Like most young teenage girls, she was a handful. But now, I feel she is on the right track. She makes good grades, and wants to go to college and become an Oceanographer. It is very likely she will get a scholarship.
I've been raising these kids on a L.T.D. Ins. Check. I have multiple health problems. I just wish I could do more for them. It's a pure joy to watch them grow into young adults.
This is a picture of the three of us and their older brother Donald Jr. on Angus's Make a Wish vacation. We had a great time. This is a recent school picture of Angus.
We would really appreciate any help you are able to give. Thank You and God Bless.
Sincerely,
Donald P. Tussey, Sr.
Hi,
My name is O'keith Da'Shawn Kellogg. I am 16 years old and I found out I have cancer on January 19, 2010. My mother's name is Christine. I have two brothers, Devon 19 and Terry 12. I love sports like basketball, baseball, and football. I play for my school at Eastridge High School. I am in the 9th grade. I have played sports since I was 6 years old and I am pretty good.
What I feel about being sick with cancer is my life seems like it all came to a standstill, but I will be alright in the end. I believe that I love school and am still able to do my school work with home bound, but I don't get to see my friends that much. My mom never leaves my side or my brothers. I love them all with all my heart.
Thank you for all you have done and will do. Thank you for helping me and my family through these hard times.
O'Keith Kellogg.
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You've probably experienced waking in the middle of the night to find your child flushed, hot, and sweaty. Your little one's forehead feels warm. You immediately suspect a fever, but are unsure of what to do next. Should you get out the thermometer? Call the doctor?
In healthy kids, fevers usually don't indicate anything serious. Although it can be frightening when your child's temperature rises, fever itself causes no harm and can actually be a good thing - it's often the body's way of fighting infections. And not all fevers need to be treated. High fever, however, can make a child uncomfortable and worsen problems such as dehydration.
Here's more about fevers, how to measure and treat them, and when to call your doctor.
Fever Facts 
Fever occurs when the body's internal "thermostat" raises the body temperature above its normal level. This thermostat is found in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus knows what temperature your body should be (usually around 98.6° Fahrenheit or 37° Celsius) and will send messages to your body to keep it that way.
Most people's body temperatures even change a little bit during the course of the day: It's usually a little lower in the morning and a little higher in the evening and can fluctuate as kids run around, play, and exercise.
Sometimes, though, the hypothalamus will "reset" the body to a higher temperature in response to an infection, illness, or some other cause. So, why does the hypothalamus tell the body to change to a new temperature? Researchers believe turning up the heat is the body's way of fighting the germs that cause infections and making the body a less comfortable place for them.
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If your child is sick, you'll probably have many questions to ask your doctor. But have you made a list of questions and concerns to share with your pharmacist?
If you're like most parents, the answer is probably "very few" or "none." But today's pharmacists are trained to provide valuable information about the prescriptions they fill and to answer questions that affect the patients they serve.
To encourage questions from their customers, many pharmacies provide counseling rooms where pharmacists can talk to patients and families privately.
Starting the Conversation
Many pharmacies have private counseling areas where you talk without interruption. Some pharmacists also accept questions over the telephone. And if you ask, almost all pharmacies will provide you with detailed literature about a particular medication.
It's never too late to ask your pharmacist a question. Even if you don't think of one until after you get home, you can still call the pharmacist for advice. That's part of his or her job.
Questions to Ask
A typical question parents have is about allergic reactions. First and foremost, make sure that your pharmacist knows exactly what allergies your child has and what medications your child is already taking. This will help the pharmacist protect against possible drug interactions that could be harmful.
Once you have received the medication, always look at it carefully before you leave the pharmacy. Read the instructions to be sure you understand how to give it to your child. Even if the medication is a refill, check to make sure the drug is the same size, color, and shape that you are used to receiving. If anything doesn't look right, ask.
Consider the following additional questions for your pharmacist:
- Does this medication require special storage conditions (for example, at room temperature or in a refrigerator)?
- How many times a day should it be given? Should it be given with food? Without food?
- Should my child avoid certain foods (such as dairy products) when taking this medication?
- Are there special side effects that I should look for? What should I do if I notice any of these side effects?
- Should my child take special precautions, such as avoiding exposure to sunlight, when taking this medication?
- What should I do if my child skips a dose?
- Is it OK to cut pills in half or crush them to mix into foods?
- Will this medicine conflict with my child's other medications, including over-the-counter medicines and alternative treatment such as herbal remedies?
Common Problems With Childhood Medications
Some parents may forget to have their children finish a prescription. If the medication (for example, a pain medication) is to be taken "as needed for symptoms," you don't need to finish the entire prescription within a set number of days. But with prescriptions like antibiotics, the medication must be finished for it to be effective.
Throw away any old prescriptions. If your child doesn't finish a medication, don't save it for a future illness because most drugs lose their potency after a year. Do not use after the expiration date and talk with your doctor before giving old prescriptions to your child.
Another common problem is the sharing of medications between siblings. Pharmacists and doctors recommend that no one take a drug prescribed for anyone else or offer prescription drugs to another person, no matter how similar the symptoms or complaints.
Tips From the Pharmacist 
Pharmacists offer the following advice:
- Do not keep medicine in the medicine cabinet! Ironically, the medicine cabinet in a steamy, moist bathroom is not the best place to keep any medication - prescription or otherwise. The room's moisture can make medications less potent. It's best to keep medicines in a hall closet or on a high shelf in the kitchen.
- Remember to keep prescription and nonprescription medications out of the reach of children.
- Never repackage medications; keep them in their original childproof containers so that you'll have the expiration date and instructions on hand.
- Toss medications when they have expired (usually 1 year for pills or sooner for liquids - check the prescription label for the expiration date) or the doctor has told you that your child should stop taking them.
- Though most liquid medications are now flavored, some might not be very palatable to a young child. Some medicines can be mixed with chocolate or maple syrup to encourage kids to take the entire dosage. Check with your pharmacist to see what would work best with which drug. However, pharmacists discourage putting liquid medication into a bottle for babies; if they don't finish the bottle, they won't get all the medication.
- When giving liquid medicine, it's best to use a medication syringe (instead of a household spoon) to ensure that your child will get the exact amount prescribed. You can buy a medication syringe at your pharmacy.
- What if your child takes the wrong dosage? Call the pharmacist or doctor right away, and follow his or her instructions.
- If medications need to be refrigerated, make sure you keep them cool while traveling. Freezer packs in coolers work fine. If you can, take the entire medicine bottle; that way, you won't have any reason to forget the prescription dosage and if something happens to the medication, you can get a refill. And never mix two different drugs in the same pillbox.
How to Choose a Pharmacist 
It's important to establish a relationship with one pharmacy so that your pharmacist has a complete history of your family's prescribed medications. A pharmacist is an important resource when it comes to making sure your child is getting the right medicine.
If you move, you might want to consider staying within the same chain of pharmacy stores to ensure that your patient profiles and records are available in a common computer database. Or you could request that your most recent pharmacist give you a copy of your family's patient profiles and pharmaceutical history to take with you to share with your new pharmacist.
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: July 2009
For more info, click here- kidshealth.org
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2317 West Emory Rd.
Powell, TN 37849
Phone Number: 1-888-418-6062
The Children's Cancer Fund of America, Inc. is a national 501 c(3) organization dedicated to helping children with cancer and their families by providing financial assistance.
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