Sunday, April 7, 2013

Kids and Cancer

Kids and Cancer

My kids are truly amazing.  Sometimes I forget just how great they are.  During this whole ordeal they have been so resilient.  Diagnosed in October, cancer has become part of our lives.  It was with us for Halloween, birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentines, Easter, and it’s still with us.  Cancer has inconvenienced our lives like an extremely unwelcomed guest.  And yet through all of it Coen and Brinley have been so good.  They have managed their emotions and become so considerate of our current situation.  We have had many discussions about cancer and I have been very open with letting them ask questions and trying to answer them as well as I can.  They have every right to be confused and angry.  They have every right to be upset when I am too tired to play with them. They have every right to be worried and sad when I have to go back to the hospital for more treatments.  And yet they aren’t.  They seem to understand what is happening without letting it disrupt their lives.  When I return home from chemo, they ask me how it went.  When I am too tired to play or go somewhere they find something else to do.  When they see I’m frustrated or in pain, they want to help.  They are coping so well. 

Now, I don’t want to paint an absolute perfect picture here.  Having two young kids is difficult enough, but having two young kids and cancer is really tough.  There are days when my patience runs low and their emotions run high.  There are days when we are all fed up with the energy and time that cancer demands.  Energy and time that used to be devoted to them is now reserved for cancer.  As much as we all wish things could be back to the way they were, we are doing okay.  Through those times of tears and disappointment and moments of confusion and frustration, they have ultimately been so brave.  I love them so much.  Despite all the chaos they continue to be their loving, imaginative, thoughtful, happy selves. 

Looking on the Bright Side…I have my husband to thank for how well the kids are dealing with this too.  They are learning from the example he sets and he continues to amaze me.
 

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