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Mom's Cancer Battle: Kids Hear It All
22 Feb
Summary
- Children were informed about cancer diagnosis early on.
- A mother wrote a book to help parents discuss cancer with kids.
- Support groups for children of cancer patients were lacking.
Priyanka Pandya-Bhatt, a UK resident, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 36, a shocking development given her family's lack of cancer history. She prioritized informing her two young daughters about her diagnosis and treatment, believing children should be included from the start.
Priyanka and her husband used a hospital-provided book to explain cancer to their daughters. While the younger child processed it during story time, the elder daughter, Keya, asked numerous questions later, focusing on hair loss and medical procedures.
They ensured Keya and her sister were updated on chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. The hospital even allowed Keya to observe a chemo session. Later, Keya was enrolled in a school with better support services due to the stress of multiple life changes.
Following a mastectomy and reconstruction, which left Priyanka in pain, her daughters struggled to provide comfort. By the following Easter, they found a support center offering equine therapy for the children, aiding their healing through open discussion of the diagnosis.
