Raising Children During Breast Cancer Treatments

Feeling alone, lost, and disconnected from the rest of the world are common feelings while dealing with your breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Feeling like this while raising a family will make it even harder. There are so many resources out there available for those going through the treatments and for those affected by it. Take advantage of them all, they're out there for a reason! 

Being a mother with breast cancer is still a surprising topic. Even after the three blogs we've dedicated to the subject, you'll still find people balking at the idea. One of the hardest things is the fact that breast cancer diagnosis usually hit a family when life is already in full swing, and you're already overwhelmed with everything as it is. The treatment will automatically demand your attention when all you want to do as a mother is giving that attention to your children. The battle with giving time and fighting for both survival and your children's livelihood becomes a very tactile one. An exhausting one. A frustrating one. The idea that you have to face the reality of death a lot sooner than you could ever have imagined becomes a daily thought. Even if you do win your battle, recurrence tends to take over the worries in the back of your mind. The battle and worry will never truly be over. Even though you are fighting to beat this disease constantly, your first thought will always be that of your children. 

As you fight your diagnosis every day, there are resources out there specifically designed and created to help your children cope. Similar to the resources we mentioned in our last blog, you might need to do some research about what you need and what your community offers. Help is out there, you just need to look for it and welcome it in with open arms. 

For the Kids
Summer Camp might sound like the last thing you and your family want to do together or decide to send your children off to during your cancer treatment. But think about it this way - giving them another tool to deal with everything, continue to educate them during the whole process, and introducing them to kids their age going through exactly what they are, can be very empowering. That's exactly what these camps were designed to do. There are many free, low cost, and inexpensive options for summer camps that specialize in helping and connecting children who have been impacted by cancer diagnoses. Again, you just have to do a little research to find what is a good fit for your family. Check out these options below. 

• Angel Foundation's Kid's Kamp, Minnesota

This is a free camp for children ages 5-18 whose parent is fighting cancer. It also offers education and support programs for the whole family throughout the year, not just during the summertime. 
For more information visit their website below: 
http://www.mnangel.org/attend

• Camp Kesem, Locations throughout the United States

This organization is run by college students for children, ages 6 to 13, who have a parent who has had, or has, cancer. The camps are held on college campuses across the United States. 
For more information, visit their website below: 
https://www.kesem.org/programs-services/kesem-chapters

• There are many camps out there as well for the whole family to participate in that offer rest, relaxation, support, guidance, and education throughout the United States. To find a list of other options for your family, visit the website below.

https://lungevity.org/news-blogs/blogs/summer-camps-for-kids-impacted-by-cancer-diagnosis

Outside of these amazing opportunities to give to your children and yourself, there are still more resources available. Remember that feeling of being alone and lost? I hope these past two blogs have discouraged that feeling. Remember too that these are just the tip of the iceberg. There are more out there than you might realize. 

Your Choices
We have talked about what you can do for yourself to make this process as a mother just a little easier on you and your family. Sometimes you need a helping hand, and that's okay. You're fighting a hard enough battle as it is, take advantage of what's out there for you. Please note that there are resources out there like: 

• Free Pampering
• Transportation Services
• Social Workers
• Financial Assistance Programs 
• Support Groups
• Mentors

We are here to support and guide you, but it is your choice to make this difficult time hurt a little bit less. Step up to the challenge and be willing to say "yes" to these options and more. If you ask for it, the help will come. For even more resources and information, please follow the links below. We will see you next time. Until then, be brave, keep fighting, and know you are not alone. 

More Information
https://www.cancerfac.org/?&assistance_types%5B%5D=meal-delivery
https://pearlpoint.org/meals-your-door-2/

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