This is my first message since the upgrade, so I hope it works!
Just recieved the letter from the hospital with all my appointments for the radiotherapy. I knew it was coming but it hit me like a sledgehammer, seeing it in black & white.
I think it has hit home now, I have a constant nausea feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Has anyone any advice on how to deal with telling my two girls that mum is going to be attending the hospital for a while? I don't want to tell them everything obviously but I need them to understand that if I am tired or grumpy that there is a reason for this.
They are 12 & 9 years old.

Tracey

Just seen this after replying to the other - oh dear.

What date do you have?

I don't know what to say about telling your children. I think children of that age are pretty astute and understand far more than adults think.

I would tell them now that you will need to rest quite a bit during the treatment and will need their help in running the home. Make sure they can use the washing machine or type out instructions now for them and that they can prepare simple meals.

Get some bags of small treats in now so that when you are at home you can show them some rewards when you least feel like bothering to reward them. Maybe make a big lucky dip bag for them and maybe have a ritual every day where they come sit round your bed and you chat about it. You could make a kind of reverse advent calendar and they could help you count down the treatment days. Everyone counts down the days so involve the children.

You need to stock up on easy to eat foods for yourself such as tinned rice pudding, oats, biscuits, and soups and bottled water.

Oh dear I wish I could help you more and I think it is normal to feel off your food as you are and be losing weight. It is because it is a heavy weight on your mind and the appetite dulls the more it sinks in. The duller the appetite gets the less you want the food. But do try to eat a few goodies now.

I'm sure others will have ideas about how much to tell your children.

Pauline,
thanx so much for your reply, it means alot.
Your ideas sound great I will definately try the goody bag, I will start stocking up. I do give them jobs about the house at the moment, sort of getting them in routine for the future, I worry about getting them out to school in the morning if I feel tired in the morning, John is going to ask at his work if he can go in later, I am sure they will be ok about that giving the circumstances.
I am pretty sure Jade my oldest knows something is up, but she is quite sensitive and I don't want to upset her, but I want to explain to her a little bit.

Once again thanx for your advice it is very much appreciated

Tracey