CanTeen

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Ways To Help You Cope

Sometimes it's hard to understand the feelings you're having but having a safe place or person to express them to is important for your emotional and physical well-being and for maintaining your relationship with your sibling AND your parents.

Try some of these coping strategies:

  • Ask your family to communicate openly about the cancer and be involved in the medical aspects throughout treatment and into survivorship.
  • Ask your friends to help you with transportation, chores and homework when you are feeling overwhelmed or just want some extra company.
  • Be assured that it is very rare for you to also develop cancer.
  • Carry a picture of your sister/brother and email or send them messages if he or she is in hospital.
  • Share your feelings about the illness and how it is impacting on the family.
  • Keep living your life and doing the things you enjoy doing.
  • Let your teachers and school know the extra stress that you and your family are going through.
  • Keep a diary of your thoughts and feelings.