Lessons Learned from Childhood Cancer - Day 4

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. During this month, we will share many lessons that our family has learned from childhood cancer.

Emotions happen. . . . . All of them. . . . 

 "There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love." 

- Washington Irving 

You are going to cry. You are going to cry when you don't expect it. You are going to cry when it is inconvenient. You are going to cry in front of your child, no matter how hard you try not to. It's just going to happen. 

You are going to be angry. You will be angry at the nurse that woke up your child to take his vitals. You will be angry at your child's blood counts. You will be angry that they don't have splenda on the floor for your coffee.

You will be happy. You will be happy when your child doesn't vomit after treatment. You will be happy when the vending machine in the hall has the snack that you wanted. You will be happy when the cafeteria has your favorite salad. You will be happy when your favorite night nurse is on shift and you know that HE  won't wake your sleeping child. 

You will laugh. The first time you laugh, it won't feel normal. It will feel strange. It will happen when you least expect it. It won't be a laugh of nervousness, it will be an honest to goodness laugh. 

Emotions are okay. Emotions are normal. all of them. 

You should be crying. Your child is sick. 
You should be angry. Your child is sick. 
You should be happy. Even in the hospital, happiness does happen. 
You should laugh. Laughter is necessary.