Childhood cancer rates have been rising slightly: in the United States, 10,380 children under the age of 15 were diagnosed in 2016. And there are still a lot of unknowns about why children get cancer.
There was a point in my journey when I said, “That’s it; I give up.” This cancer is so different from others, and I felt that no one knew what I was going through – emotionally, physically or spiritually. I looked different and I couldn’t eat. The feeding tube was one of the hardest parts for me.
Recently, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center started an integrative medicine pilot program for pediatric and young adult patients with the hope of easing the side effects of their cancer treatments.
Our 2017 tree lighter, Mashayla, has a smile so bright that we expect it will steal the show and warm the hearts of all attendees (even if winter weather starts to come our way)!
Nobody expects to hear the words “Your child has cancer.” Nobody is prepared. And in our family’s case, our son Emmett was diagnosed with leukemia in an emergency room, and treatment began that day in the ICU. We had no time at all to prepare, or even to comprehend it all at the time.
You’re getting ready for treatment and you’re trying to do everything you can to make sure your experience is positive, productive and proactive. But let’s face it, healing journeys are always easier when we look and feel better.