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Communication
As you go through the treatment process, you may feel you’d like to have a friend
act as a ‘communicator’ (for example an outreach nurse, or a family friend who may
help pass on information) with family, school and other groups.There may be many
months when there is little new to say but keeping them up to date with major
milestones, such as radiotherapy or surgery, helps them to continue to take a load
off your mind.
It is important, if you can, to make sure that two people (either your partner or a
friend) attend meetings with your consultant as it is often the case that you will
each remember different pieces of information, and you may both have different
questions to ask.
Remember to take your notes with you so that you ask all the questions you meant
to ask.
Even when you are midway through a course of treatment you may fnd that you
still have to break the news to acquaintances or work colleagues who may not
already know about your child’s illness.Try not to be upset by their reaction – you
may have had several months to get used to the situation however they will
undoubtedly be shocked on hearing the news for the frst time.