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Children's health

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Children with cancer

997 replies

KinkyDoritoWithFairyLightsOn · 22/12/2011 09:31

Hi all

I'm going to start this and keep bumping it as I don't think there is a thread for supporting anybody whose child has cancer and I know there are others about. In part, this is a good thing as it shows that it is still very rare, however it doesn't feel like that when you are sitting in a children's oncology ward.

I will be around and am happy to chat to anyone who needs it.

My DD is 13. She was diagnosed with ALL in January. She has to have 2.5yrs of chemo in total, if everything goes according to plan.

I also write a blog that is listed on MN. The catchily titled: The Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Diary.

Best wishes to all.

OP posts:
NoWittyName · 20/02/2012 20:06

Hi to all. I don't really belong on here as number 2 died when she was 15 months old after being diagnosed with congenital ALL at 14 days old. I suppose it was a morbid sense of curiosity that made me read through posts when this popped up in 'active'.

I wish you all love, hope and positive thoughts. May you all only have positive news to share with each other.

xxx

KinkyDorito · 21/02/2012 21:24

NoWitty I'm so sorry you lost your DD. You are more than welcome here whenever you want to pop in, and if you ever want to talk. Again, sorry Sad.

NoWittyName · 21/02/2012 22:38

I am so relieved you posted! I thought I'd killed the thread. [embarrassed]. As I said, I just wanted to send huge love to everyone going through this. Take care of all of you.

xxx

KinkyDorito · 22/02/2012 07:06

I'm always here lurking about somewhere NoWitty.

We have been quiet recently. I just hope no news is good news.

Queenmarigold · 22/02/2012 08:47

Hi all,

Can I just share my fear with you, I need some help from people who understand.

I'm completely falling apart. We are medulloblastoma, stage 3, chemo-radio (age 3) and now nothing. First scan clear, next scan due soon. Bad permanent side effects.

I have a bad feeling at the moment. I can't describe it any other way. But DC does lots of crying, doesn't seem right .. but can't tell me what's wrong. I just can't cope any more. I am utterly exhausted. I am a bad mum, shouting to stop crying, and I am impatient. I have had enough of it all and am close to tears most of the time.

What should I do - there is no treatment left, so what is the point of going back to hospital.

But am I just driving myself mental, reading things which aren't there. The chemo / immunity problems have resultsed in bug and bug, so DC must be run down.

Anyway, just thought I'd share.
Qm

Queenmarigold · 22/02/2012 09:09

Sorry, meant bug after bug - am I reading into things which arenet there because of the scan?

KinkyDorito · 22/02/2012 10:06

Queen Firstly, you need to talk to somebody. You are going through such a stressful time and you need to vent to somebody. Do you have a Macmillan social worker you could meet for a chat? Or a counsellor? If your DC has been through so much, I would be horrified if hospital had not linked you up with a support network. Chat to someone, say what you are scared to say, get some reassurances if you can. Cry and shout and scream with them. Get a volunteer in from Clic sargent to sit with your DC so you can have the time to talk. I also think going to a gym and punching the shit out of a hanging bag might help to relieve some tension - it has to go somewhere. You need to let yourself be angry. Also think about going to GP so they know where you are at in case they think you can be helped in other ways.

Saying all this, I know how futile it all feels. But at the end of the day, we do not know what will happen. Living with this horrible shadow of unpredictability is what is so draining emotionally and mentally. You need to try and voice/channel some of the feelings. Whatever happens to your DC, and a I pray it is a good outcome for you, you will still need to deal with what this experience has done to you.

My heart completely goes out to you. You need some help, please get some. If you already have some, get more.

If you could do anything for an hour or two by yourself, or with your DP, what would it be? A meal, cinema? Do this too. It won't stop how you feel, but it will remove you from the situation for a little while.

You say you are 'close to tears most of the time' which suggests to me you are doing exactly what I do, which is repress it to deal with it later. This stuff is too much over too long to repress: you need to get some of it out. If you don't, at the first sign of calm, you could have a tidal wave of feelings to deal with.

I'm on medium prozac dose so far, and have anxiety and depression, all brought about by this. I'm forcing myself to restart counselling as it was helping me. I know that I keep getting moments where DD is a bit brighter and I feel like I'm falling apart. Family are worried about me, and are sad that I kept my feelings to myself for so long when I obviously needed some help.

This is completely understandable, and nobody will judge you for it. We are going through one of the worst things a parent will ever have to. We have to be kind to ourselves and accept support wherever it is offered, even if we never have before.

Please take care, and message me if you want to say anything privately.

I am so, so, so sorry that this is happening to you and your DC. Sad

Queenmarigold · 22/02/2012 10:49

Thanks KD, have PMd you!

bobbi4444 · 22/02/2012 13:23

Queenmarigold - sorry your having such a tough time but thought I would share my story. My child was diagnosed with Medullablastoma aged 7 months. He fad surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. It was the worst time in my life an looking back now I wonder how we got through it...but now he is a happy, healthy 6 year old who is in a unit in a mainstream school...
it's great that the first scan was clear, it's so hard not to worry about future scans but I ended up on antidepressants to help me cope too...
am here if u need to chat as I know exactly what yr going through...

toughday · 22/02/2012 18:07

Queenmarigold - I just want to echo everything that everyone else has said. The anxiety over scans is the worst feeling. Once you get the date for the scan it becomes all you think about. Try and talk to someone about how you are feeling. I know because you have just described me last month before DD's scan, I was scared to go to the shops in case I seen someone I knew as I was also so close to tears most of the time.
Try and do fun simple things with you dd, I have found that when I am more positive around her, she is in better form IYKWIM.

I was just talking to another Mum last week about the after support given once treatment finishes. As our DC are no longer in treatment none of the charities can help. We have checkups at the hospital every 6 weeks or so but it usually consists of height/weight, quick once over and away you go. I know hopsitals are stretched to their limit financially but there needs to be some something for parents emotionally afterwards to help them. I am actually finding now tougher than during treatment. I have stayed in contact with a few other mums and we meet up occasionaly for a chat, it's nice to be around people that understand.

mackerella - definitely mention proton to your oncologist. Some of them are iffy about it but if your DS's tumour type is there then you are in with a good chance of getting funding. The machine at Clatterbridge as far as I know is only a low intensity beam so might not go deep enough depending on where the tumour is.

nowitty - so sorry about you dd Sad

Hope everyone else is doing good and the bloods are behaving themselves Smile

FarloRigel · 24/02/2012 18:07

Just checking in to wish everyone a lovely weekend!

Hope you get some good clear scan results soon, Queen, to put your mind at rest. It really is horrendous waiting for news and wondering about every little thing Sad. It's a form of torture you wouldn't inflict on your worst enemy and I don't think people on the outside really understand it so feel free to let it out here.

NoWitty, I'm so very sorry about your little DD. There really are no words for how unfair it is to lose your child and for her to have been fighting since the day she was born is heartbreaking.

As for us we're doing OK, DD is still getting a bit of bullying for looking different but she handles it OK for the most part. We have sent in her treatment record beads (like beads of courage but a different system) to share with the class so I'll let you know how that pans out.

Best wishes to all of you, and hoping all our little fighters are doing well.

KinkyDorito · 24/02/2012 18:21

Farlo Sad they can be very cruel. DD had this too from some older boys when she went back. I don't think they realised. They've been through so much, they deserve an easier ride. I hope you have a lovely weekend too.

lisad123 · 26/02/2012 23:54

So sorry I have been back it's been a manic few weeks Blush
Please talk to someone queen.
Dh had results back and his cancer cell count has gone back up slightly in last 6 months. It not a big enough leap to panic yet but this was about the time the 2nd load of treatment failed 18monts ago Sad off to London in a week to see the big team there so will see what they say.

I know we certainly have stress on run up to appointments, and misdee (some of you will be aware of her story, she's also my big sister) told me there describe it as Pat! Pre appointment Tention. Wink we now joke about Pat, who we sort of joke as if it's a real person, sometimes helps lighten the mood.
We are lucky enough to have 2 wonderful macmillian nurses, who have been with us for the last 3 years!! 3 years, sounds mad Confused
Hope your all staying strong x

lisad123 · 26/02/2012 23:55

Nowittyname, very sorry for your loss Sad

lisad123 · 26/02/2012 23:58

Kinky, dh liver was in a bad way for a long time, and they were started to wonder about treatments as took forever to heal, but finally sorted after about 16months.

KinkyDorito · 27/02/2012 19:18

I'm sorry to hear that your DH's cancer cell count has gone up lisad Sad. You are right about Pat! I'm thinking of you.

DS has got chicken pox. DD is fine; hospital weren't worried as she still has antibodies from having the disease as a child. I'm still nervous though and will be watching her closely. So, once again I'm back out of work, unpaid, whilst I was only just nicely getting back in. Sad It always seems to be something. I'd love a couple of event-free months. Heck, I'd love a couple of event-free days!

Queenmarigold · 28/02/2012 09:29

Hi Bibbbi - thanks for sharing, how lovely he is normal now. How did you find out so early in his life - I wish I had trusted my instincts more.
We haven't had MRI yet so will post when I get results. Things are a little better. I wish everyone good bloods counts, clear scans and zero infections, - have a good day!

KinkyDorito · 28/02/2012 09:33

Queen I'm so pleased things are a bit better. You have a good day too Smile.

KinkyDorito · 01/03/2012 07:14

I feel like death warmed up. Have throat infection I think but have to go to work today as I've been off for past 2 with DS who has the dreaded chicken pox. Thankfully, DD has antibodies still so we didn't have to go into hospital. She's just feeling a bit tired after 2 days in school, so is having a rest day today whilst DH takes over calamine duties.

I just want to curl up somewhere. It's all a bit overwhelming again at the moment.

I hope you are all well. I regularly think of you all. Best wishes. Smile

Stinkyfeet · 03/03/2012 22:21

Hi, just thought I'd pop in to say all is going well here; we've just been in for ds's 2nd chemo admission. He's had some stomach cramps today, but all in all is coping well. Hospital is pleased that he's maintained his weight and has been getting on with normal life as much as possible!

Hope all is OK with everyon else.

FarloRigel · 04/03/2012 12:45

Hi everyone, hope you're having a good weekend.

Lisad I'm sorry to hear about your DH's test results, are they going to repeat the blood work soon? I hope his next results are lower again next time.

Kinky I'm sorry to hear you and your DS are both ill, that sounds like really hard going Sad. Hope things are looking better now.

Stinkyfeet I'm so glad to hear your DS has been doing well, I'm wishing you all the best for a nice smooth by-the-book round of treatment.

We're doing fine. DD was asked to do her beads and treatment book for World Book Day which made her feel great because the only other book presented seems to have been the one that the author came into school for. I don't know what the reactions were like as she wasn't very clear but here's hoping at least a few people in the school will have more of an insight into her life and may treat her with a bit more understanding any time she behaves a little unusually. Two more routine blood checks to go and we're whisking her off to the sunshine for the first time since dx. Nervous something will go wrong at the last minute (aren't we all, always Smile) but really looking forward to it.

Thinking of you all.

toughday · 05/03/2012 11:32

Hi everyone, hope you all had a lovely weekend.

kinky hope you and ds are feeling a bit better.

stinky glad to hear all is going well.

lisad will be thinking of you this week.

farlo hope you have a lovely holiday, sounds perfect and it will do you all the world of good.

Everything is pretty quiet here at the minute, i'm just starting to potty train ds. Wish me luck, will probably need a glass of Wine (or two Wink) later.

windywendy · 06/03/2012 13:11

Just popping on to say hello to everyone. I hope you are all doing ok.

I joined one of the Facebook groups and have found it helpful, so thank you for the recommendation.

My DS is doing very well. We are in week 7 now which is the second week of daily trips for chemo. He's tolerated everything well so far and his day 29 results were excellent - complete remission and low risk - so we are feeling very positive now. I've met some more mums at hospital now and realise that we are very lucky to have got through induction so lightly. They have all experienced pretty terrible times. I'm a bit nervous that we may have it to come, but am clinging to the hope that he will continue to be textbook.

I've been really surprised at the extra stuff that comes when your child is diagnosed with cancer. Not only is that a massive change in itself, we've also had to remortgage, I've left work, buy a car (I had a company car) etc etc. It's such a lot! I've got my CLIC social worker coming round this afternoon to help with the DLA application. I'm mildly amused by the fact that I have a social worker and benefits!

lisad123 · 06/03/2012 14:22

Went to see dh specialist yesterday.
She's happy for him to continue on current treatment and just wait and see for now.
He has to go and have a piece of bone marrow removed to check to see if he still has the extra chromosome that the chemo caused. Other than that, go back in another 3 months. Smile

KinkyDorito · 09/03/2012 20:59

Will catch up.

Quick bump!

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