Kristie McNealy, MD

[ad#250x250]A few weeks ago, I found out about a unique tool to use when talking with very young children about their parent or grandparent who has cancer.  Someone I Love is Sick is a book that is geared towards children between the ages of two and six.  It’s unique because the book is designed as a binder with removable cards, so that it can be customized for your child’s age and level of understanding, as well as the type of treatments or stage of disease that their loved one is experiencing.

The book comes in two versions: one for when a parent has cancer, and one for when a grandparent as cancer.  In addition, many of the cards in the book come in both mommy and daddy, or grandma and grandpa versions, so you can make the story as accurate as possible for the situation your child is experiencing.

Someone I Love is Sick deals with both factual information, like types of treatments, as well as  feelings like anger, fear and sadness, and common questions, like can I catch cancer, or did I cause mommy’s cancer.  It includes cards to help you discuss all phases of cancer, including diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, survival and and of life.  The great thing is that the removable cards allow you to add to or change the story as circumstances change, or as your child’s concerns and understanding evolve.  Unneeded cards can be placed in the plastic envelope that is provided, and stored someplace safe in case you want to include them in the book in the future.

Someone I Loe is Sick, is project of The Gathering Place, an organization which helps cancer patients and their families in Ohio.  You can order Someone I Love is Sick online today.

I do have one copy of the parent version of Someone I Love is Sick, and I’d love to pass it on to someone who could really use it.  If you, or someone you know could benefit from this book, get in touch with me using my contact form.  I’ll leave a comment and update here when my copy is gone.

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