School + Cancer

There are a multitude of everyday tasks that have the potential to dramatically change following a cancer diagnosis-one being education. It can be extremely overwhelming. Today, we would like to share some resources and tips to managing and maintain education through out you + your child’s journey with cancer. 

First, things first: Communicating with your child’s school:

Set up a meeting with your child’s [1] teacher [2] principle [3] school nurse. By ensuring an effective conversation will help eliminate any unnecessary issues that may arise from lack of knowledge. Here are a few things to discuss at your meeting:

• Consider getting permission for your child to wear a hat or scarf at school if hair loss is possible due to their specific treatment plan.
• Ensure to communicate the activities that your child may not be able to participate in, such as gym class. 
• Create a plan of action regarding keeping your child as caught up on school work as possible
• Discuss what information you are comfortable discussing when classmates have questions about cancer

Medical Information to convey:

• Inform them of your set treatment days as well as any potential side effects to recognize while in the classroom.
• Discuss online options that your child may have with their school. 
• Any medicines the child will need to take and how to give them
• Special devices the child will use and how to use them
• What kinds of problems to watch for and report to you
• Emergency management of possible problems
• Medicines, treatments, or activities that your child cannot have or do
• Whom to call with questions and emergency contact information

Maintaining Interaction:

This is very important, although it may be the easiest aspect to let slip through the cracks. Pediatric patients are prone to feeling isolated and lack a sense of “normalcy” in their life. By maintaining their interaction with classmates + school will have profound impacts on their emotional life.

• Make time to have your child communicate with their classmates or friends. There are many options to do this such as video chat, texting, phone calls or email.
• If your child is going to miss class, have them ask a classmate or teacher to photocopy that day’s notes.
• Sometimes treatment can leave you feeling very weak, so consider the possibility of half days to ensure they are getting some social stimulation.