QUESTION:

We are looking for any help in dealing with children with cancer. Our 2½ year-old granddaughter was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and has been undergoing treatment since July '96. Are there any books you could reccomend? The only one I have found is Jonathan Kellerman's 'Psychological aspect's of Childhood Cancer.' Is it worth ordering? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Terry

JAN'S REPLY:

Hi Terry,

I'm so sorry to hear about this difficult situation.

Here are some web sites:

1. When a Child has Cancer (book review)
2. Worldwide Network for Children with Cancer
3. Physical Therapy and the Child with Cancer
4. "Talking with Your Child about Cancer"

Books:

1. Davis, Hilton. counseling Parents of Children with Chronic Illness or Disability. Leicester: BPS Books, 1993.
   
2. Sourkes, Barbara M. Armfuls of Time: the Psychological Experience of the Child with a Life-threatening Illness. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1995.
   
3. Bluebond-Langner, Myra. In the Shadow of Illness: Parents and Siblings of the Chronically Ill Child. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996.

I have one other suggestion: raspberry leaf tea is a very soothing, healing, and beneficial drink, which can help your granddaughter to cope with medical treatment and other stress. It can be frozen in ice cube trays or popsicle molds as a healthful treat for children.