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Telling my children about my cancer

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I told my daughters everything

First post and replies | Last post by SharonT, 2 months ago

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My daughters get upset when they find out their father and I have withheld information from them, even things from when they were too little to understand. Maybe some children want to be shielded from adult issues, but mine never have. They have always been hurt or offended when they've heard about things we didn't tell them about, like family troubles and such. So I decided to tell my daughters, who are in their 20s, when I was worried that I had cancer, before I even knew that I did. I waited until there was only about one or two days left be...

By SharonT 2 months ago

Telling my boys

First post and replies | Last post by tpir, 2 months ago

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I had been sick for MONTHS, with no real diagnosis, so it was almost a relief breaking the news to my children. We finally had answers! My husband and I sat our three boys down (ages 8, 12 & 13) and told them the news. We told them that I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had met with my treatment team at KU Med and had a general idea of what treatment would look like. Chemotherapy, surgery, then radiation was the initial treatment plan. If they had any questions and would like to talk to my oncologist, Dr. O'dea said we could set ...

By tpir 2 months ago

Have a medical professional answer questions for your children

First post and replies | Last post by Gwoodhood, 2 months ago

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I was fortunate to have Dr. O'Dea (KU Oncology) offer to meet with my two children to discuss my diagnosis and answer any questions they may have. Understanding that they may have questions that are hard to ask me, I was grateful for this opportunity. My boys (age 14 and 18yrs) were reluctant at first but after the conversation really appreciated it. They met via Zoom.

By Gwoodhood 2 months ago

4th and 6th grade

First post and replies | Last post by CPN, 3 months ago

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I dreaded telling my kids, who were 11 (girl) and 9 (boy). I’d locked myself in my room for a couple of days, feigning sickness as I cried and processed the news. When I finally felt ready, my husband and I called them in to sit on the bed with me. We told them I had breast cancer and would be having surgery and possibly chemo and radiation and then gave them a minute of quiet. My daughter said nothing, but scooted closer and put her head on my shoulder. My son asked me if I would lose my hair 🙂. I told him if I had chemo, probably. He ...

By CPN 3 months ago

Be Honest With your Kids

First post and replies | Last post by CPN, 3 months ago

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Surprising reactions

First post and replies | Last post by janedoe7, 3 months ago

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I had to tell my three kids over the phone in three separate phone calls. My least emotional child immediately began sobbing. My most emotional child said, "Ok." The third child split the difference. I did not see that coming! I encouraged them to share the news right away and I think the support of their friends helped a lot.

By janedoe7 3 months ago