Parent to Parent Blog Entries

  1. Social Distancing – all too familiar for cancer patients

    By Les Friedman, CEO and Mikey’s dad

    Social distancing - all too familiar for cancer patients. Wearing a mask and gloves is nothing new for cancer patients.

    The spread of the Novel Coronavirus has placed social distancing in the forefront of global attention.  For most people, this is probably their first experience practicing social distancing to avoid infection.  But for cancer patients, it’s well, just another Monday.  The concept of social distancing is all too familiar for cancer patients, whose immune systems may be compromised because of their disease or treatment.

    Wearing a mask, donning gloves, avoiding crowds and frequent hand washing aren’t anything new. While this behavior is the new normal for everyone during COVID-19, it’s the “always normal” for cancer patients.  

    That’s why when it comes to coping with isolation, cancer patients are a step ahead of everyone else.  Because they’ve been practicing social distancing and staying connected, while apart, for years. 

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  2. What Did The Doctor Just Say?

    By Les Friedman, Mikey’s dad

    What did the doctor just say image of doctor.

    When the doctor speaks with you about your child’s diagnosis, you might hear what he’s saying, but hearing isn’t the same as understanding.  This happens not only because it’s difficult to process information after receiving overwhelming news, but also because childhood cancer has its own complex vocabulary of medical terms and acronyms. Lots of new information coupled with a lot of emotion makes it difficult to process what you were just told. As a result, you may find yourself wondering, “What did the doctor just say?”

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  3. Chemotherapy, Kids and Mood Swings

    By Les Friedman
    CEO and Mikey’s dad

    Chemotherapy, Kids and Mood Swings - be prepared.

    When your child is about to begin chemotherapy, you may already know the possible side effects such as nausea, loss of appetite, and fatigue. But are you prepared for the mood swings and emotional changes that your child may experience during his treatment? Just like chemotherapy side effects that you can physically see, such as hair loss, mental health issues are also a very real and common effect for kids coping with cancer.

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  4. CT Scan vs MRI Scan – What’s the Difference?

    CT Scan vs MRI Scan

    CT scan vs MRI scan – both are diagnostic medical tests that, like traditional X-rays, produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of your child’s body. Radiologists use the images generated from these scans to detect, diagnosis, or monitor your child’s health during and after treatment. So, what’s the differences between a CT (computerized tomography) scan and an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)?

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  5. Ways to Manage Mouth Sores

    Soft foods like soup and oatmeal which are served lukewarm are easy to eat and swallow.

    Mouth sores. These painful little cuts or ulcers in the mouth can certainly make life miserable. In fact, eating, drinking and even speaking can become very difficult. While there currently isn’t any guaranteed way to prevent them, the good news is there are ways to reduce your child’s risk of getting them. In addition, there are ways to control and manage mouth sores if your child does in fact have them.

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  6. Bust Pediatric Cancer Patients’ Boredom

    By Les Friedman, Mikey’s dad
    Boredom is part of pediatric cancer patient treatment

    Boredom – of all the side effects related to pediatric cancer patients’ treatment, boredom is probably not high on the worry list. But for kids, boredom and loneliness can significantly add to the struggles they face every day trying to cope with their treatment. To them, hospitals can feel like a whole lot of waiting around. And on days when they are feeling a little better, the boredom can be excruciating.

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  7. Your Child has Cancer – Accept Help

    Fifty Ways People Can Help

    by Les Friedman, Mikey’s dad

    When your child has cancer, his life is turned upside down and your entire family is catapulted into a new world.  What was once manageable becomes challenging. Mowing the lawn, getting dinner on the table, changing oil in your car or walking the dog – there’s just not a lot of time for these things. Accepting help from other’s is difficult for many of us. But when your child has cancer, it is time to accept help wherever you can.

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  8. Pediatric Cancer Financial Toxicity

    Pediatric Cancer patient with IV poleFinancial Toxicity of a Pediatric Cancer Diagnosis

    by Les Friedman, Mikey’s dad

    Treating pediatric cancer is expensive. Rising medical costs wreak havoc on a family’s finances and, in time, become yet another toxic side effect of cancer treatment.

    Medical bills quickly fill our mailboxes as costs mount for hospital stays, clinic visits, medicines, tests and surgeries. In addition, unexpected costs for procedures or treatments for infections, dehydration or pain can add to rising costs. read more →

  9. How to Cope When Your Child is Diagnosed with Cancer

    Suggestions for ways to cope and stay strong

    By Les Friedman, Mikey’s dad

    When Your Child is Diagnosed With Cancer
    When your child is diagnosed with cancer, it has a stressful and inescapable impact on the entire family system. Every family member, including parents and healthy siblings, feel the profound effect of this diagnosis. read more →

  10. Just Goggle It – the internet is it friend or foe?

    The internet – our best friend or worst enemy?

    by Les Friedman, Mikey’s dad

    “Just Google it!” It’s part of our everyday language but the truth is, the internet can be our best friend or our worst enemy particularly when it comes to medical information.

    Pediatric cancer is like a finger print – every cancer is different and every child reacts differently to treatment. What you read on the internet may be totally wrong for your child’s situation. read more →