Inspirational

Sometimes a simple change in perception, one that embodies positivity can  ease this journey a bit. Never settle with the moments that cancer forces on you, instead, replace these with a lively + peaceful perception.

10 Ways to Make a Pediatric Cancer Patients Day

We were inspired by the Huff Post’s blog entitled “44 ways to make the day of someone with cancer”. That is why today we would like to share with you our top ten list of ways to make a cancer patient smile and show them that you care! 

More importantly we encourage everyone to take a little time to engage in these simple ways to make a patients day! 

1. Send a quick email, text, or message saying you’re thinking of them
2. Tell them you love and care about them. Even if they don’t have the energy to respond, your message means a lot.
3. Gift a good book/magazine.
4. Since movie theaters are one of the first things you are told to stay away from due to lack of sanitation-offer to bring over a movie rental!
5. Send a text the next time you’re at the pharmacy to see if they need any prescriptions picked up.
6. Understand that a cancer patient is likely too overwhelmed to ask what they need; take the initiative by offering specifics, instead of saying, “Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”
7. Remember to still be there a few months after the diagnosis, when it’s not so new anymore. The fanfare will have died down, but your friend will still be struggling and needing logistical and emotional help.
8. Text or email a silly joke or photo.
9. Gift a super comfy blanket.
10. Offer a ride to chemo and keep them company during the treatment. Even better, commit to giving a ride on a regular basis throughout their child’s treatments.

Read more on ways to help HERE!

Appetite Changes

One of the most dreaded side effects of chemotherapy is the change in ones appetite. This is one of the worst because well you need to eat but you need to eat even more when your a cancer patient and on chemotherapy and/or radiation. Food will help you feel and stay strong so here are some tips to help with a decreased appetite.

1. Break up your emails into smaller ones that last all day/ 
2. Try new foods and flavors to help inspire your taste buds some. 
3. Eat with family or friends as much as you can and not alone, alone you think to much about not wanting to eat surrounded by people eating it in small helps tells your mind to eat more as well. 
4. Eat foods high in protein to help get more bang for the amount you do eat. 
5. Never forget to drink lots of water and other liquids, but don’t use them as a “fill up” before meals.

Dream Team Feature: Meet Brooklyn!

My name is Brooklynn and I just turned 10. I love reading, dancing, modeling and helping others in any way I can!

This year, my 4th grade teacher Miss. Free taught my class all about compassion. Compassion to me means taking that next step and trying to feel how someone who may be going through difficult times is feeling. It also means finding ways to help others.

In my 4th grade class we did a compassion project, for Teen With A Dream which felt amazing!  We were asked to put together bags for kids going thru treatment.  I really had to think about those kids fighting cancer and what items might cheer them up or help them through chemo/radiation. My teacher, Miss. Free, really helped the whole class understand how compassion works and how this small act of kindness would make a big difference to these kids. This compassion project really stuck with me and I started thinking of ways I could continue to help Teen With A Dream.

As I got closer to my 10th birthday I decided I wanted to donate all of my birthday gifts to Team With a Dream, so I asked all of my friends to bring donations instead of gifts!  I realized that I have so much and am so lucky to be healthy, while other kids spend their birthdays in hospitals. I thought about these kids going through treatment and how this small act could really cheer them up.  My friends were amazing and brought wonderful goodies for kids of all ages, all to be donated. I loved going to the Teen With A Dream office to drop off all of these presents, it was a wonderful feeling!

One dream I want to fulfill is to continue to be compassionate and keep finding ways to take that next step and help others.  I would like to continue to donate and volunteer with Teen With A Dream and I hope other young kids will also find ways to help others.  I encourage other kids my age to do the same thing and donate in any way they can…kids can be compassionate too!

 -Brooklynn (age 10)

Happiness Photo Collection

Sometimes you just need a break from the daily hustle + bustle. So for today’s SPLURGE! sit, relax and enjoy our collection of photos that will make you smile! 

Evening of Dreams [Photo Release Part Two]

Today we would like to release a second round of photos from our annual Evening of Dreams Silent Auction. Check out the first round HERE!

This collection of photos show case the second portion of the evening’s happenings-enjoy!

Before the festivities in our Mexico Activity Room

Experience Room: Compassion Project 

Unstoppable Happiness

We were truly inspired by the concept of “Unstoppable Happiness”-Until there is a Cure! 

What makes you happy?

A Quick Trick to that Chemo Taste

In lieu of  our Sour Skittle tip, here is an alternative tip that will help on many levels, and may be just what you need!

First, there is no sugar in it. 

Second, it will help rid the metallic taste that chemotherapy brings. 

Lastly, it can help with mouth sores. Also these ingredients are all things that you may already have in your home or can easily get at a moments notice.

What is the secret? Baking Soda + Water!

1. A gargle of cold water ,a smidge of baking soda
2. A shake of salt gets rid of the metallic taste and helps ward off mouth sores.
3. Do it 3 or 4 times a day.

One small tip in addition is to put a pitcher in the refrigerator and utilize the cold water which can help soothe any sores that you may have as well!

Grab + Go Snack Stashes

Once you have picked a doctor right for you and begin treatment days-being as prepared as possible help eliminate extra unnecessary stress! 

That is why today we want to share with you this wonderful resource by Real Simple about preparing snacks to take with you. This is perfect for treatment days! 

They suggest having two main stashes: 

1.  Pantry Stash 
2. Refrigerator Stash 

 Get some great ideas to start your stash here!

Choosing a Doctor that is right for you + your child

Picking your child’s doctor is important. This can seem difficult as you are forced with this decision during one of the most overwhelming times in your life.

So for today’s Saturday Feature we have found resourceful information provided by Cancer.net, that will help you make a well informed choice. 

Never forget to ask for help as well, have discussions with people who have made this choice already. Additionally Google can be your friend when conducting a thorough search.

Whatever your choose, just ensure that you are comfortable with the doctor and are satisfied that you have found a specialist who can walk you through this journey.

Read more on choosing a doctor that is right for you HERE!

Quote of the Day

Tips + Tricks to Chemo: Pretreatment Breakfast.

Teen with a Dream knows how difficult it can be to get your kids excited to eat breakfast-this can be even more difficult when you add in a breakfast before treatment days. 

We know its hard to eat before treatment but its important to get your day started off correctly. We’d recommend the breakfast pops and anything with protein that you can get your child to eat. 

One thing that we have found to be most important is to cater the breakfast around what they are craving in that moment-if they want lots of flavor then flavor! If they want bland food, then make it as bland as possible. 

Check out the full article of recipes here!

Image Source

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Dream Team! Wishing you a wonderful day!

 

Happy Birthday to our Founder, Spencer! How birthdays can have a different meaning to cancer survivors.

Today is a special day for Teen with a Dream-it is our founder, Spencer’s, 26th Birthday! Birthdays are always special, but to cancer survivors, birthdays can hold a different meaning. Yes, birthdays present a “mark” if you will, of conquering cancer- BUT Spencer has also shared another meaning that this day takes on. 

Spencer also encourages all cancer survivors to also celebrate their “Survivorship Birthday”. This birthday marks the day a patient is declared cancer free! He states that this day is just as important to survivors + allows them to embrace + celebrate this journey. 

That is why we would also like to feature this wonderful resource by Childhood Cancer Guides entitled “Transitions”. Within this resource you can read a multitude of ways to transition yourself from cancer patient to cancer survivor! 

Not everyone copes the same, and that is okay! You may not see this coping mechanism as fitting your needs, so explore other options. If celebrating your “Survivorship Birthday” is something you want to do-go all out! Get cake! Have fun and celebrate YOUR strength! 

5 DIY Easter Crafts for Kids

Happy SPLURGE! Friday Dream Team! As Easter is only a couple days away, we have found a great way to spend your downtime on this Friday. We have found our top 5 favorite kid’s Easter Crafts to gear up for this weekend!

Easter Egg Tree

Directions HERE!

Carrot Foot Prints

Directions HERE!

Easter Bunny + Chicks Finger Print Craft

Directions HERE!

Paper Plate Bunny Craft

Directions HERE!

Jelly Bean Bracelets

Directions HERE!

5 DIY Easter Crafts for Kids

Happy SPLURGE! Friday Dream Team! As Easter is only a couple days away, we have found a great way to spend your downtime on this Friday. We have found our top 5 favorite kid’s Easter Crafts to gear up for this weekend!

Easter Egg Tree

Directions HERE!

Carrot Foot Prints

Directions HERE!

Easter Bunny + Chicks Finger Print Craft

Directions HERE!

Paper Plate Bunny Craft

Directions HERE!

Jelly Bean Bracelets

Directions HERE!

Springtime Chemo Bag

As you may have seen in previous blog posts, Chemo Day Care Bags are an essential aspect of our foundation. Spring is in the air and today we built our first spring themed Chemo Bag of the year!

Teen with a Dream is always looking for new themes to center our bags around. It provides patients with new and fun items to help them get through their long treatment hours.  

Do you have any themes you think would be good for our Chemo Bags? 

Additionally, do you know someone who would like a Chemo Day Care Bag? 

Contact us at dream@teenwithadream.org

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