As I struggled to find a topic for this newsletter, I remembered the fear and confusion I felt when my daughter, Jennifer, was first diagnosed with AML leukemia. There were so many questions and it seemed difficult to find the answers. I hope this will help those of you facing similar circumstances

Become an active partner in the treatment plan. Meet with doctors and medical staff. Ask questions. Take part in the decision making process. If you do not understand something, ask for clarification. Do not hesitate to question any procedure you are uncomfortable with. Follow your heart! Encourage open discussions.

If you are the patient, talk about your feelings, fears, wants. If your loved one is the patient, encourage them to talk. Create happy, special memories. Take time to laugh. Take time to pray. Give lots of hugs. Say " I love you"! Maintain the dignity of the patient at all times. Make sure everyone else does too.

Remember happier times. Hold on to hope. Build a support system, either within your circle of family and friends; outside sources or preferably, both. Your medical staff can recommend outside resources. Make friends with other families you meet facing the same ordeal. Don't be too proud or afraid to ask for help!

One of the best ways to gain control is to learn all you can about the disease; treatment options, research, new advances; and general information about the disease. I can't possibly provide links to every, dreadful disease, but if you need information not found here, email me and I will try to provide links for you. Because cancer touched my life, most of these links are related to cancer. However, I have also provided a few links for Hospice. I have chosen these links because they contain a lot of valuable information at one easy spot. You don't have time to spend hours searching the web!

Please also check in your area for a Ronald McDonald House if your child is ill. It will be the best thing you have done for yourself, your family and your child.!

With Love, Judy
Grief Recovery Online - A Common Bond Beyond the Pain