How Children Can Play a Role in a Support Network

Many people often make the mistake of not including their children when it comes to sharing grave medical news. In my book, "Jeannie Ann's Grandma Has Breast Cancer," Jeannie Ann overhears her parents discussing their loved one's cancer diagnosis.

Jeannie, only six years old, doesn't understand cancer and its effects on the body. 

However, after her mother explains the disease to her and how it develops, little Jeannie Ann starts playing an unexpected caregiver role in her grandma's support network. She visits her grandma, asks her questions, and even helps her look pretty after she lost all her hair from chemotherapy.

While we can't expect our children to be primary caregivers. They can still play a comforting role for our loved ones. Here are some ways how they can play a role in a support network:

1. They can provide a distraction.

Children are naturally curious. They ask many questions to understand how the world works around them. When it comes to their loved ones having cancer, children can provide a comforting distraction by asking questions, sharing stories, and playing games.

That is not to say that children should keep on talking. Alternatively, teaching them to stay silent when they don't know what to say is alright as long as they show they care.

2. They can help make get-well cards.

Children often have a limited vocabulary when expressing their sympathies and feelings. To help lift your loved ones up, consider suggesting that your child make get-well cards. Let them express their creativity and let them know that their relative appreciates their sweet gestures.

3. They can help with post-treatment.

Jeannie Ann helps her grandmother adjust to her hair loss by helping her mother wrap beautiful scarves around her head. You can teach your child the fundamentals of caregiving by listening to their suggestions on what hats or scarves your relative may prefer after chemotherapy.

A child's innocence can provide a sweet distraction from the emotional pain of a cancer diagnosis. However, adults must learn when to give their children certain information about the condition. When you teach children to be compassionate and empathetic, they become kind and well-grounded adults in the future.

by Diane Davies

Why Listening is Important

Jeannie Ann is a six-year-old girl who discovers her grandmother has breast cancer. The book offers a comprehensive explanation that helps young children understand the disease. It also covers certain aspects like how the disease forms, its treatment, and what a family member can do to provide support.

One important step we can all do to offer support is to listen. While it may seem too simple, there are actually many benefits that I've listed in my book.

Here are some explanations of why we need to listen to our loved ones, our doctors, and our family members:

1. It aids with communication. Listening is an integral part of communication. When we learn to listen, we can help our loved ones cope with their disease as they undergo treatment.

2. It offers safety and security. Communicating effectively helps ease the fears and anxieties your children or loved ones may experience. Listening allows them to express their emotions better because they know you won't misunderstand them.

3. It creates trust. Effective communication with loved ones, doctors, and children helps establish a sense of confidence. This strengthens our bonds and allows us to find a better care plan for our loved ones.

4. Creates validation. Listening to your children's feelings helps validate their worries, fears, and confusion. Additionally, active communication offers an opportunity to answer any potential questions they may have.

5. Offers assurance. Jeannie Anne thought that it was her fault her grandmother had cancer. Fortunately, her mother could quell her fears and worries by telling her the nature of the disease and how it progresses. When we learn to listen, we can help ease our children's concerns and provide an educational opportunity for them to understand the disease and its progress.

Listening is an essential element in any relationship. To learn more about teaching children the nature of cancer and its dangers, purchase a copy of my book on Amazon or send me a message.

by Diane Davies

How to Explain Cancer to Kids

Cancer is a severe illness that can start anywhere in the body. In my book, "Jeannie Ann's Grandma Has Breast Cancer," the protagonist discovers her grandmother has cancer but has no idea what the disease is until later.

Part of the reason why I wrote this book is to explain this disease to children. One such reason why children should learn about this disease is that they need to understand the importance of health and how the body works.

Cancer, unfortunately, can happen anywhere in the body. This disease occurs when specific body cells grow abnormally, spreading to other parts of the body and creating tumors. Tumors are either benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). When a person's tumor is malignant, they require immediate care, or else it'll spread to other parts of the body. This can be deadly, rendering the body weak and eventually unable to generate healthier cells.

While the topic is serious, we mustn't underestimate children's ability to understand. In fact, teaching them about the illness itself can be beneficial in the long run. When equipped with general knowledge at an early age, it allows them to establish healthy habits as soon as possible. It also boosts their self-esteem, giving them the impression that adults trust their ability to understand health issues.

Nevertheless, there is an art on how to relay such information to children. For one thing, we can't be too technical with our terms—after all, they are still children. Second, we have to be careful to avoid fear-mongering to avoid creating panic and anxiety. Lastly, we try to keep things as general as possible. This is to avoid complicating the situation and reduce the chances of children asking questions to which we don't have the answers yet.

If you need guidance on how to teach your children this disease, consider getting a copy of my book on Amazon.

by Diane Davies

Teaching Your Child, the Power of Prayer

In my book, "Jeannie Ann's Grandma Has Breast Cancer," the main character, Jeannie Ann, is a six-year-old girl who discovers that her grandmother has breast cancer. After learning about the disease from her parents and grandmother, Jeannie Ann starts to pray for her grandmother's recovery, hoping her treatment will go well.

Fortunately, her grandmother's treatment went well. While she lost her hair due to chemotherapy, Jeannie is infinitely grateful that her grandmother was able to stay with her longer.

Teaching your child to pray can be a great way to introduce your child to God. Prayer, first and foremost, is a way to connect with God and establish a relationship with him. When we teach our children to trust God and start a relationship with Him, we can ensure that their spiritual journey begins well.

If you are planning to teach your child how to start the prayer, here are the crucial steps of prayer, also known as A.C.T.S.

First is adoration. Start your prayer by praising God for His grace, strength, and mercy.

Next is confession. Confess your sins, problems, anxieties, and worries. Remember, no problem is too challenging for God. Even though He already knows your problems, it helps to verbalize them to avoid emotional pain.

Next is Thanksgiving. Express gratitude for all the blessings the Lord has given, no matter how big or small.

Last but not least is supplication. This is where our spirits are ready to ask God for our needs and desires. When we ask the Lord with longing in our hearts, He considers how these wishes can benefit us in the long run. When He doesn't answer right away, there could be two reasons: (1) It's not the right time, or (2) It's not the best choice for us.

Teaching children the power of prayer ensures their spiritual growth. When we introduce them to God at an earlier age, we give them the chance to grow spiritually, thus making them well-rounded individuals with essential virtues.

by Diane Davies

Importance of Screening for Cancer

A few months ago, I talked about the importance of getting an HPV vaccine as a precaution for potential cancer formation. Nevertheless, taking such a vaccine is only one of the many steps to prevent this deadly illness from developing. Here are some other reasons why regular screening for cancer is essential:

1. Keeps you updated on your health status.

Regularly screening for cancer can keep you updated on your overall health status. This empowers you to take a more direct role in preserving your health. You may also consider taking a yearly physical exam to check for any early signs of aging and the possible formation of other diseases. When it comes to prevention, preparation is always essential. Additionally, this allows you to ask your doctor what steps you need to take to ensure your health stays in tiptop shape.

2. Provides early detection, which results in less treatment and time spent in recovery.

Early detection of potential cancer cells can result in immediate intervention, which prevents it from progressing further. This lessens your need for heavier treatment in the long run, thus ensuring that your life can quickly return to normal once these early symptoms are swiftly handled.

3. Increases your chances of survival.

Survival is all about preparation. Such a notion is not different when taking the necessary precautions to ensure your overall health. When we invest in our health, we also clear our minds from any possible stressors, thus ensuring our immune systems stay uncompromised.

Learning to play an active role in our health ensures our overall survival, thus ensuring a peaceful state of mind. Schedule an appointment with your doctor to learn about the necessary steps in keeping your health up to date. Stay safe, and remember to start incorporating healthier habits in your daily life. You can do this!

by Diane Davies