September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. During this month, we will share many lessons that our family has learned from childhood cancer.
Lesson learned - People WANT to help, and they will. . . So let them.
After Patrick was released from his first hospital admission, my sister came home to find a brand new car seat on her front step. Those of us in the family knew that Patrick had been sick in the car, and had ruined his previous car seat. . But that fact wasn't really "public" but someone knew, and they made a car seat appear. To this day we do not know who that person was.
When I told Rebecca's church family at North Madison Congregational church about Patrick's illness, they immediately rallied to bring meals. Not one or two meals, they created a schedule, and meals were brought to the house for WEEKS, probably MONTHS.
Let people help. When cancer strikes a child, it affects your entire family. There is likely a parent that still has to work, there are pets that need to be cared for, there are other children to care for, there are family members that want to come by and visit. If someone says :what can I do to help" give them something to do!
There are wonderful websites like Meal train where you can schedule people that are bringing meals. Don't forget to let people know about allergies when they are making meals. Let them know about your families Likes and Dislikes.
If you need help, ask for it. If you don't have an extended network like a family close by, or a church. Ask the social workers at the hospital. The Social workers can assist you with getting the help that you need.
When I told Rebecca's church family at North Madison Congregational church about Patrick's illness, they immediately rallied to bring meals. Not one or two meals, they created a schedule, and meals were brought to the house for WEEKS, probably MONTHS.
Let people help. When cancer strikes a child, it affects your entire family. There is likely a parent that still has to work, there are pets that need to be cared for, there are other children to care for, there are family members that want to come by and visit. If someone says :what can I do to help" give them something to do!
There are wonderful websites like Meal train where you can schedule people that are bringing meals. Don't forget to let people know about allergies when they are making meals. Let them know about your families Likes and Dislikes.
If you need help, ask for it. If you don't have an extended network like a family close by, or a church. Ask the social workers at the hospital. The Social workers can assist you with getting the help that you need.
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