My 1-1 is seriously ill I am so worried...

[ihatethesnow]

I don't usually post on here but have been workig with a child on a 1-1 with a child who has downs sydrome for about a year.. Well today I had a terrible phone call his mum rang to say he has leukemia .... as you can imagin she was distaught... I am so worried what can I do/say?

Oh that's awful. The poor child, mother and you.

Do you know much about leukemia? The absolute best you can do for this family is become knowledgable. It is very draining having to explain - again - what a dx means for your child, and why something needs to be done in a certain way, and no you aren't just being precious, and yes actually you might not be a doctor but you know what you are doing etc etc..

You can find out about support agencies/ funding opportunities for support/advice/respite/holidays whatever too.

You can offer practical help (I don't know the nature of your relationship and how appropriate this is) such as looking after one of their other children so they can spend time with their child who is sick.

You can find out what adaptations might need to be made in the classroom (again if appropriate) and begin working on those so that there isn't that as additional stress.

I have a very close relationship with the family ... I was going to text tomorrow to offer support etc I will also make sure that she knows I am only a phone call away etc..Just feel so helpless ... The child's mum and dad are so so nice...

Ok depends on what type he has to what happens next. If it's normal childhood one AML they will start treatment and be looking at bone marrow matches. She will need things like hit food that can be heated easy for family, DVDs to keep ds happy, try and get her a long car park ticket, ours was £30 for 3 months. Offer to drop other kids to and from school, do some washing, and make sure there is food in the fridge. Anything that takes the pressure off the practical stuff really really helps.
Hope he gets some good news soon.

Offers of help are great but she may not feel able to accept it, so if at all possible just do it or do it via dh if there is one around x

Thanks for that you two.... His Mum rang just to apologise about crying on the phone (she is an ace lady) the progsis is good but its a long road ahead....I feel better knowing more....

Oh that's great news (Well not great, but better I hope!)

Glad good outlook and it is long, been nearly 2 years here

I'd perhaps suggest a (short) visit initially - taking some cards and pictures from his classmates would be nice; and then you can see how that goes. Presumably the child is still going to be getting some sort of education/having work sent home etc so you could offer support in that direction.

If the child is in hospital - with the mother in residence - she'd probably appreciate a visit from someone who will sit and play/read/whatever with him so that she can go off for a coffee/shower or even a bit of essential shopping!