Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 27
WHAT ABOUT ME?
A child with cancer has unique needs that can demand a lot from
families. Healthy siblings may feel sidelined as energy and attention
focus on the one who has the disease.
Genevieve Stonebridge, a clinical counselor at InspireHealth,
a nonprofit supportive cancer care center in Victoria, British
Columbia, says siblings of children with cancer have seven needs:
Acknowledgment and attention. Siblings need to know
they matter, even when a brother or a sister is battling cancer.
Stonebridge says, "Ask a sibling how they are doing, not just,
'How's your sister?'"
1
Family communication. It's important to talk to siblings-in an
age-appropriate way-about the cancer diagnosis, treatment and
side effects. Parents may think they are protecting children by staying
silent, but without information children often imagine the worst.
2
Inclusion in the family. It's hard for siblings to watch someone
they love suffer, and they want to help. They can play games or
watch videos with their sibling. Skype chats, text messages and letters
can keep them connected if treatment requires travel.
3
To know that it's normal to have difficult emotions and
uncomfortable thoughts. Siblings may feel anger, confusion,
frustration, jealousy, hatred or guilt. Parents can help by giving the
sibling a safe space to work through emotions.
4
Their own support. Siblings need help from family members,
teachers and coaches, and professionals like social workers and
counselors. It can also be good for siblings to talk to siblings of other
children with cancer.
5
To be a kid. Children need to play and keep up their
extracurricular activities. They can be responsible for their chores
and homework, but they shouldn't feel the burden of caring for their
parents emotionally.
6
Humor, laughter and lightheartedness. "It's a hard time, but
we can laugh, play and have a good time," Stonebridge says. "It's
important to have balance. Just because you're dealing with a crisis
doesn't mean there can't be wholehearted living."
TREES ILLUSTRATION BY JAMIE FARRANT/GETTY IMAGES
7
CALL IF
YOU NEED
ANYTHING ...
When a cancer diagnosis strikes,
well-meaning friends and family
will want to help. But they may not
know what you need. Sites like the
American Cancer Society's MyLifeLine
(mylifeline.org), Lotsa Helping
Hands (lotsahelpinghands.com)
and CaringBridge (caringbridge.org)
can give you a private place to share
updates about your condition and
ask for help. The sites can help you
organize dates and times for anything
you might need, from company at
chemotherapy to grocery pickups.
WEBSITE
Need a Place
to Start?
NMMC Cancer Care has many
resources for people with cancer
and their families. Visit www.nmhs.
net/cancer_services.php or call
800-THE DESK (800-843-3375).
W INT E R 2016
27
http://www.mylifeline.org
http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com
http://www.caringbridge.org
http://www.nmhs.net/cancer_services.php
http://www.nmhs.net/cancer_services.php
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi
Contents
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - Cover1
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - Cover2
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - Contents
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 2
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 3
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 4
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 5
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 6
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 7
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 8
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 9
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 10
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 11
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 12
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 13
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 14
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 15
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 16
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 17
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 18
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 19
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 20
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 21
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 22
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 23
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 24
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 25
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 26
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 27
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 28
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 29
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 30
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 31
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 32
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 33
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 34
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Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 36
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 37
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 38
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 39
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 40
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 41
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 42
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 43
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 44
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 45
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 46
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 47
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 48
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 49
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 50
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 51
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 52
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 53
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 54
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 55
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - 56
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - Cover3
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - Cover4
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