10 Things I'd Tell Parents Who Just Found Out Their Child Has Cancer

Dad shares 10 things he’d tell other parents who just found out their child has cancer.

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10 Things I’d Tell Parents Who Just Found Out Their Child Has Cancer

1. Take one day at a time.

Sometimes you have to take it an hour or even minute at a time when things are most stressful.

2. Welcome support.

You are not a failure of a parent if you ask for and receive help.

3. Be your child’s advocate.

If something doesn’t seem right, speak up, even if it temporarily frays some nerves.

4. Don’t second-guess.

Whatever you decide, know that you did it with the best information you had and never second-guess it. Ever.

5. Embrace your nurses.

Doctors provide the plan, but the nurses are the ones on the battlefield with you.

6. It’s OK to make mistakes.

Learn from them and move on to the next challenge.

7. The family fights the disease together.

Set aside personal time for you and your spouse to be a couple, and one-on-one time with your other children.

8. Rethink your personal goals.

Your aspirations will likely be put on hold, whether it’s that big promotion you wanted or that house you’ve been saving for.

9. Eat healthy.

Keep junk foods out of reach and try to keep fruit and healthy snacks around instead, and sleep when you can.

10. Vent your emotions.

You have to release that stress, and a good release of emotions can help maintain long term sanity.

Written By Matt Kabel