Wednesday, May 28, 2008

What and how do you tell a 7 and 9 yr old their beloved grammy has just been diagnosed w/lung cancer

What and how do you tell a 7 and 9 yr old their beloved grammy has just been diagnosed w/lung cancer?
They are aware of her previous bout w/breast cancer..and my daughter is trying to find the words to tell them...how to tell them,etc.
Cancer - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
If they knew about it before, then what's the big deal? You tell them she's sick again. It's not like thay can't deal with it!
2 :
Hi 7 and 9 year olds are pretty comprehensive of things. It is best to tell them the truth about how grammy has a disease that has invaded or taken over her lungs. Tell them it is a disease that is a bad one, but that grammy will fight it the best she can and will always love them no matter what. You can go into some depth with them about the disease and the future. But the truth is always the best for children. They hate to be lied to. Be sure to tell them that mommy will be with them and help them no matter what and that mommy will help grammy as much as possible too. I hope this helps it is so hard and God Bless You All in your struggle.
3 :
If grammy is a loveing person then I think she should tell them. If it is not fesable then just sit with them on lap and tell them. 7 and 9 are very intellagent and will get it, they also will be able to express their feelings openly and ask the questions they want to. Start with grammy is very sick in her lungs, then let them ask questions. keep it going so they ask questions until they get to the will she die question and they will. Let them know that it is very possable that she will and that is why we want to make the most out of her time now. We enjoy things as much as we can while they are here and when we are gone we thank them for spending time with us. this works for plants fish and people. Kids feel better when they get to ask what might happen to some one they love then being told that this is what is going to happen. Telling the news is hard but the next few months could be even harder. Practice with the kids saying good bye. This is harsh but get a gold fish or a plant and let it die. Don't say why it happened just say that some times it just does, and ask them how they want to say good bye. talks about heaven and hell and what happens next usually comes later in the following weeks. When you break news to kids, not all questions have to be addressed right then. leave the door open to them to talk about grammies illness, dieing, and death at all times. If they don't bring it up touch base with them about once a week to give them a chance to talk. Good luck and all my best to all of you.
4 :
If they already know about her previous bout with cancer, then just tell them that Grammy has cancer again, and so she is going to have to fight it again. Remind them of how sick she was through her treatments and tell them that she will be sick again, but that the Dr's are working to make her better. Remind them that the medicine for cancer makes people feel tired, sick and might make her loose her hair, but she is still Grammy who loves them very much. There is no need to talk aboout saying good-bye unless you get told her cancer is untreatable, and even then, not until it is obvious that she hasn't got long to go.

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