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I had cancer (I hope) when my child was 10 months old

5 replies

madeit · 27/09/2013 22:32

Please advise me:I had ovarian cancer when my baby was 10 months old. I have since had a hysterectomy and chemotherapy. My scans have been clear ever since although I take absolutely nothing for granted, I have always been on my own with my child who was conceived using donor egg and sperm. I have told him simple stories about how he was conceived and will continue to provide him with appropriate information as he grows. I belong to DCN (donor conception network) so have support and information regarding issues related to my son's conception and how to best deal with questions etc in the future. I will always be totally honest with him regarding his conception.
I realise he is very young but am wandering what is the best thing to do about the topic of cancer. I do not keep it a secret and think it is important that my son eventually knows I had cancer, I do not want to frighten him though.
My son is an articulate, outgoing boy who is very affectionate and expresses his feelings in (what I think) is a sophisticated way for a young child. He can be attention seeking and demanding in a group particularly when I am there. When he is stressed he tends to be very outspoken and demanding. He is by no means a placid child. He is popular and friendly with other children. There have been some issues with aggressive behaviour but he has improved in dealing with angry outburst less aggressively. He tries to push boundaries all the time with me.

OP posts:
Sophiedotty · 28/09/2013 08:17

Sorry to hear that & I hope you are doing ok now.
Maybe try ringing the Macmillan nurses for advice.

Footle · 28/09/2013 10:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Elibean · 28/09/2013 15:39

How old is your ds, madeit?

I would agree with Footle...I would answer what he asks, but not bring it up for no particular reason. I have two daughters conceived via DE (and am a member of DCN) and have always dealt with all life issues on that basis with them, apart from their own conception which I have 'drip fed' age appropriate about since they were tiny. They are 7 and 10 now, and very comfortable with talking about their origins, and most other things too Grin

I haven't had cancer, but I've had illnesses and ishoos in my youth resulting in my delay in having kids, and this is how I deal with that situation: I will not lie to my kids, but I don't dump info on them either. I find topics pop up naturally eventually (they haven't all, yet, but I know they will) and then it becomes easy to talk - in a contained, comfortable way - about them with the girls.

What I would say is that if you have any left over worries or grief about your own illness, it would be great to talk to someone else about them - that way, your son won't pick up on any unresolved stress and take it on, iyswim.

As for the behaviour stuff...well, it's hard to comment without knowing your son's age. All sounds rather normal for KS1, or younger, and pushing boundaries all the time with a parent? Join the club Wink

Elibean · 28/09/2013 15:41

age appropriate information about

madeit · 28/09/2013 21:30

Thanks no I wouldn't dream of telling a young child (he's four) I have had cancer without some sort of clue on his part that he needed to know more about it. I read an interesting article in last weekend's Guardian about a woman who had had cancer and the impact it had had on her daughter and it got me thinking. I am seeing a very good psychologist and did so before and after having cancer. It is helpful. Maybe I am being hypervigliant with my son. He has a quick temper and is extraordinarily interested in the human body but both these facts could be completely unrelated to by medical history.

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