If your child has had a cancer diagnosis, the responses of everyone in your family can cover a wide range of emotions. These can vary in intensity and the length of time they last. They can also occur and recur unexpectedly.
For adults there may be any mix of feelings:
For children and teenagers, there may also be behavioural changes.
While you're going through all of this, you and your family also needs to understand medical information, to discover how to navigate the health system and to learn the mechanics of continuing to live well with your child's illness.
Your family may also notice the effects of:
You and your family should know you are not alone and that support is available.
A child's cancer diagnosis can be physically and emotionally taxing for you and the whole family. You may find yourselves in situations ranging from turmoil to crisis.
The hospital social worker can help organise emotional and practical support for you and your family. Support is available:
A social worker will be aware of you and your child's arrival in the ward at the hospital. The social worker will arrange to meet you and talk with you about the various types of support available for your family.
Practical support can include help with things such as:
Emotional support can include:
Cultural support can include:
Spiritual support can include:
Support from a child psychologist may be available.
Tell your doctor at the hospital if you would like some help with behavioural changes that you notice in your child.
CCF is a national organisation which offers emotional and practical support to children with cancer and their families.
Visit the CCF website for information about support services [1] and for the contact details [2] of the division nearest you.
CanTeen is an organisation for 13 to 24-year-olds living with cancer, whether they are dealing with their own cancer or that of a sibling or parent. 'CanTeeners' support each other at home and in hospital. Phone: 0800 226 8336
All the pages in the childhood cancer section of this website [4] have been written by health professionals who work in the field of paediatric oncology. They have been reviewed by the members of the National Child Cancer Network (NZ). Medical information is authorised by the clinical leader of the National Child Cancer Network.
This page last reviewed 24 June 2021.
Email us [5] your feedback
Links
[1] https://www.childcancer.org.nz/get-support/family-support/
[2] https://www.childcancer.org.nz/get-support/family-support-contact-list/family-places/
[3] https://kidshealth.org.nz/childhood-cancer-more-information-support
[4] https://kidshealth.org.nz/tags/childhood-cancer
[5] https://kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fkidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F498%3Flanguage%3Dmi