![]() If a cure existed they would have found it and used it.ĭo NOT resort to Platitudes. Trust me, these parents have already turned over every possible stone to find a cure for their child. Forget about suggesting the latest miracle cure fad such as cannabis oil, a special diet or something you heard about on the internet. Let’s start with the things to avoid:ĭo NOT offer Advice. Here are some practical things to consider which may assist those who want to be helpful but not hurtful. Unless you have experienced this kind of tragedy it may be difficult to know how to respond. So when someone you care about is fighting this fight and hears those dreaded words, what should you say? What comments can you offer on their social media site that will provide the support they need at a time when nothing can make it better? And are there things that should not be said? Scary because of the words we all dread to hear from the doctors…”I’m sorry, there’s nothing more we can do for your child.” It goes without saying that any parent whose child is fighting a life threatening disease is thankful every minute that their child is still breathing. I believe I had expressed how thankful I was that she was still alive, but that didn’t negate the suffering she was enduring.Īnd now that I have had an empty place at the dinner table for the over three years since Claire died, I still would never say to a parent who is watching their child fight cancer that they should just be thankful that they are still alive. ![]() I remember one time after I had written an entry about how challenging things were and how it was so hard to watch my daughter struggle and be in pain, an anonymous person left a comment telling me I should just be thankful that she was still alive and I didn’t have an empty place at my dinner table. I would hope that most people really do want to be helpful but sometimes things are said out of ignorance which can potentially make the parents feel worse not better. Living with pediatric cancer can be isolating at times and it is a good feeling to be able to post progress, concerns, happy milestones and requests for prayers and good thoughts and receive immediate comments of love and support, reaffirming the fact that you are not alone.īut on the other hand, sometimes comments received through social media can be devastating. I know many have also used Facebook to do the same. ![]() When Claire was sick I used Caring Bridge to communicate updates to the myriads of supportive people who were following her story throughout treatment. When you have a child with cancer, social media can provide a wonderful lifeline of support. This piece was originally posted on Jane’s blog,.
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