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You're in shock. You just heard back from the doctor and your child, who has been sick for months, finally has a diagnosis. It's cancer. In days gone by it was an almost certain death sentence. Your heart is pounding, your struggling to breathe and you don't know what to do or where to turn.

Cancer is not an automatic death sentence anymore. With modern medicine and medical knowledge there are many many things that the doctors can now do to treat cancer. Where do you begin?

Ask the doctor what type of treatments they want to plan. Sometimes there are a few different options depending on the stage of the cancer and the overall prognosis.

Study, you need to learn what type of cancer your child has. Ask the doctor to write it out or spell it out for you. Find out what stage of cancer your child has. Now you need to begin some research. Either online or at the library (some hospitals have a library where they will allow you to research their medical information) begin your search of your child's type of cancer.

Join a support group. We chose Candlelighter's. Candlelighter's has a local chapter in most states. They had a lot of information available regarding our daughter's diseases as well as emotional and some financial support. To find your local Candlelighter's group go online and search on Candlelighters.org for your local chapter.

In addition to the emotional and financial support (by financial I don't mean they paid our bills, simply that they assisted us with gas vouchers and occasionally meals) they also throw awesome parties that help keep families minds off of the negative and focus on the positive.

Don't expect a cure overnight. It just isn't that simple. Generally speaking you will be subjected to many rounds of chemotherapy and/or radiation as well as surgeries and such. Its not an easy time and you will struggle on many days.

Expect to have good days and bad days. Bad days are a great time to seek out your pastor, close friends and family and just vent. Remember though, never vent in front of your child. They are young and don't really comprehend the possible outcome of their disease. Helping your child to keep a positive attitude is very important to their overall recovery.

Plan some fun activities in between treatments. Whether it be a visit to a local park or play area its important to keep your child's life as normal as possible.

By educating yourself and strengthening your support network you will survive this difficult time in your life. Take some time out for yourself by having a close family friend or family member sit with your child during treatments occasionally.

Keep an emergency kit handy. You never know when you will have to rush your child back to the hospital (and it can happen at any hour I assure you!). In your emergency kit you should have the following:

Any medications you personally require on a daily basis

At least 2 changes of clothing for you

A good book

A notebook to jot your thoughts and/or feelings down in

A few dollars to get snacks or perhaps a small gift for your child

Personal Toiletries including shampoo/conditioner and perhaps a towel

Don't forget to grab your cell phone and charger or money for phone calls if you don't have a cell phone

Perhaps a favorite portable game of your child's take along when he or she is feeling a bit better

Being prepared and knowing what lies ahead is the key to surviving your child's cancer diagnosis.

Learn more about this author, Linda L Kinyon.
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