October is
Breast Cancer Awareness month. This month is commemorated in countries across the world every year. It helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease.
Breast Cancer diagnosis can be devastating. The agony is amplified when you have kids who fully depend on you. A breast cancer patient needs all the support in the world. It can be a daunting task having to take care of your kids and still go for chemo.
Mums (
and dads) battling the disease need to break it down for their kids in the simplest ways possible. This way, you get to psychologically prep your babies to handle the situation at hand.
Here are some suggestions on how you can go about parenting while you kick cancer's posterior!
Don't hide your cancer diagnosis
Kids are smart! They figure stuff out, and the more you try to hide something, thinking you're protecting them, the more it can end up doing the opposite. Be clear with your babies and say, "Mum/Dad has been diagnosed with breast cancer." Then, explain what breast cancer is and emphasize that not all cancers are the same. Also assure them that you will be getting good care and treatment. You can go as far as demystifying the radiation process to your kids by taking them to see where it's going to take place. The Aga Khan hospital has a fantastic, kid friendly
oncology centre.
Acknowledge anxiety and tension as expected behaviors
Depending on how old your kids are, the reaction on your diagnosis will be different. Older kids understand the seriousness of such a diagnosis. Younger kids may take it pretty chill. Allow your kids to express their fears, confusion, and anger. Cancer treatment can be stressful and scary. Expect anxiety and tension from your kids. Talk to them, reassure them. Join a support group for breast cancer parents
here. There are many families just like yours in Kenya handling their situation gracefully.
Remember that your kids look up to you
It's hard. We know. We understand and empathize. Try to keep a positive personality and outlook, but explain to your kids that mum/dad might have difficult days with the pain and medication. How you deal with your diagnosis and treatment will affect how your kids will deal with it. If you need professional support for dealing with your cancer, see a counselor or attend a cancer therapy support group.
Faraja Trust are renowned for the compassionate support groups.
