Childhood cancer awareness, signs and symptoms
So we all know by now that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, right? Many of us are hoping for a cure for our children, but many are asking how they can know if their child may be ill. Here is a short list of things to look for… and I have added some to the bottom.
Continued, unexplained weight loss
Headaches, often with early morning vomiting
Increased swelling or persistent pain in bones, joints, back, or legs
Lump or mass, especially in the abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis, or armpits
Development of excessive bruising, bleeding, or rash
Constant infections
A whitish color behind the pupil
Nausea which persists or vomiting without nausea
Constant tiredness or noticeable paleness
Eye or vision changes which occur suddenly and persist
Recurrent or persistent fevers of unknown origin
*** I would add to that list ~ bruising, bleeding or swelling with no explanation. Most importantly … if it doesn’t seem right to you ASK! Do not feel silly. As a nurse I would much rather tell a parent they have nothing to worry about when they ask than to wish they had said something sooner. As a cancer mom I take nothing lightly anymore! Now go get your gold ribbons and spread the word.
Peace,
K
P.S. for more on this topic please check out a very thorough website written by fellow Cancer Moms who have been there, done that, got the crappy t-shirt …. http://www.acor.org/ped-onc/diseases/SOCC.html
Here’s a poem I found on Savana Pughsley’s Caringbridge site. It touched me and I wanted to share it.
They Are Not
They are not saints
Wearing slightly tilted halos
Threaded through their thinning hair
Nor angels
Implanted with wings and catheters
In various likely spots about their torsos
Most of the time
They’re not even imps using bedpans and laundry carts
For unexpected rolling games of ball and chance
They are children
Who don’t know the rules of being sick
And aren’t usually worried about learning them
They live through diagnosis and treatment
Figuring the angles just like they would
During summer break and sessions in school
Eating salty food in bed
Playing video games at all hours
Drawing insulting sketches with permanent marker
Planning to pierce and tattoo cartilage and soft tissue
Fussing over facial blemishes
Begging to wear favorite clothes they’ve outgrown
Performing acrobatics across bedrails and IV tubing
Refusing that pink medicine that tastes bad and causes nausea
Waking at midnight to demand beverages and lights
Making messes with no intention to tidy up later
Letting water run when they’ve done washing their hands
Leaving meals unfinished on their plates
Running when they should walk
Yelling at people who try to help them
Shouting that they hate us don’t need us want us to go away stupid stupid stupid
Wrapping fingers around a nurse’s wrist
holding onto a fold of dad’s sweatshirt or mom’s tee
Whispering thanks I love you I’m scared please stay
Scribbling smiley-face notes to brothers and sisters
Sharing pretzels and chips with other hungry bellies
Offering tissues when someone else is leaking around the edges
Under all the crazed growth of bad cells
Thay are not children living or dying from cancer
They are just children
By Gail Doktor
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