quote:

Adolescence is a time of exploration, experimentation and introspection. Teenagers strive to be independent while still wanting to be taken care of by their parents, and are challenged by experiencing these feelings at the same time. When a parent is diagnosed with cancer, it presents new and unique challenges to the teenager and his/her family.

Link: CancerCare’s 10 tips for helping support a teenager

Comments and advice from members are welcomed.

Matt and I have 5 children, three are over twenty and we have a son 0f 17 and a daughter of 14 yrs. The hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life is to tell them their Dad has cancer. Our Macmillan nurse gave me some ideas how to go about it and so when it came to it I asked them what they thought was wrong with Dad and they said he has cancer doesn't he. Any way, I told them he had and our daughter asked if he was going to die and I told her that everyone dies at some time and yes there was a chance that he could die but he was going to get all the best treatment and that I would never lie to them and would tell them everything that was happening, as I know that imagination is far worse than the facts.
We have tried to keep things at home the same for them and so far, with a few hitches, we are stumbling by each day helped by our love for each other. It's just so hard trying to look to the future when we don't know what the future is.
I am so proud of my wonderful family and exeptional children and amazing husband who is so dignified and loving in his illness.
Love and best wishes to you all.
Michelle.x

The Family Connections Web site is devoted to providing information and support to families in which a parent has been diagnosed with cancer. Family Connections is dedicated to supporting adult cancer patients who are parents and their children. Read more