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
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Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - Cover3
Vim & Vigor - Winter 2016 - North Mississippi - Cover4
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