The Road Ahead
Sometimes things do work out as you hope.
Sometimes things look like they won't
work out as you hope.
Christine shares her story:
"My brother has been in remission for two years now.
Things were pretty bad at first. Then after a while, things
sort of settled down and got back to the way they were before.
I think Rob's cancer brought us all closer together. I get
along better with him and my sister and even with my older
brother now. I'm closer to Mom and Dad. And I think we
all grew up a lot while he was sick."
- Christine, age 15
Here's what Sam has to say:
"Watching my little brother play with his cars one
morning made me so sad. He loves those things.
He looked up and told me if he dies I can have all
his cars. Then he just went on playing. I felt a huge
lump in my throat. He's an amazing little kid."
- Sam, age 14
It can be hard to stay calm when you aren't sure what the future
holds. You may be thinking - will my brother or sister live? Will
the cancer come back? Will life ever be the same? Will I laugh
again? Enjoy being with friends again?
While no one can know the future, there are things you can do to
make your life a little easier:
- Keep talking and pulling together as a family.
You may find that cancer has drawn you closer together and
made you appreciate each other more.
- Discover your own needs. Don't let others tell you how
you should feel. Allow yourself to cope at your own pace and
in your own way.
- Remember that you're growing as a person. Many teens
say that having a brother or sister with cancer has made them
more sympathetic, more responsible, and stronger.
- Keep in mind that you aren't alone. Right now you may
feel lonelier than you ever have in your life. But you are not
alone. Family members, friends, neighbors, support groups,
and counselors are there to lend a helping hand, listen to
you, and give you good advice. Accept their help; you
deserve it.
- Appreciate each day. Many teens who have a brother or
sister with cancer say that they learned to see the world more
clearly. In time you may come to appreciate things you may
have overlooked in the past.
Maybe you have noticed that little things seem to have more
meaning for you these days. Take some time to write these
thoughts down, even if they seem small:
Unfortunately, no booklet or person can tell you how everything
is going to work out. Cancer is tough, and your life may never be
quite the same. But in the end, you will get through it. Why?
You're strong. And you are capable - even if you don't always feel
that way.
It's great that you want
to learn more! |
Keep in mind that cancer treatments are
getting better all the time. Make sure
that what you read or see is up to date
and accurate. Talk with your parents or
another trusted adult about what you
find. Share the articles or books you've
found with them. Ask them any
questions you may have.
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