She's not a believer but cared enough for you all to ask me to pray for him. Make space for feelings. We have detected that JavaScript is currently disabled. Let your child know there is someone they can talk to if they need a safe space at school. Here are some ways parents can help their pediatric-cancer survivors cope with the physical, emotional, and mental stresses of student life. I received your Caring Bridge somehow. They may be thrilled to be back in a routine with their friends but nervous about looking different or not fitting in. CaringBridge is best viewed with JavaScript enabled. Ask your hospital for local cancer support groups and programs. Hi Nicole , I can understand what you are going through with your son having a brain tumor. It is difficult because I do not want to take away his motivation. Thank you all for commenting on Gavin's story. Most children with cancer will attend school at least some of the time during and after their treatment. two amazing breakthroughs in science. I am acquiring updated evaluations from neurology, physical therapy, neuropsychology and vision specialists so that we have the most current update on Gavin’s needs. According to the American Cancer Society, childhood cancer accounts for less than 1 percent of total diagnosed cancers each year. My name is Shirley Meeker, I am a retired school nurse, I care for a child name Brian. How Parents Can Help Their Kids Get Ready to Go Back to School after Cancer, © 2020 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, At Work: Child Psychologist Stephen Sands, Memorial Sloan Kettering Counseling Center. God Bless. Close friends may have moved up to higher grades or graduated and formed bonds with others. She developed tumors on her spine which were successfully removed. “This way, your child will see a familiar face on the first day,” Dr. Sands says.

We considered having Gavin repeat first grade last year when he started second. Do some homework. Discover MSK Kids and find answers to questions you may have. He also struggles because of the "after" radiation treatment.. Memorial Sloan Kettering neuropsychologist and child psychologist Stephen Sands regularly works with families readying for this change.

All safe and do not interfere with the treatments. Blessings to you all. ❤We have been praying since we first heard about Gavin last year through a prayer request my sister passed on to me. Friday, August 30, 2019. Meredith Begley We are meeting with Gavin's team at school in the next week or two. Nicole, I was very moved by your beautiful writing.

Love and prayers. Any healthy child would fall behind missing that much school. So, Rosemary, even though this board is supposed to be for all your friends to write you encouraging words, it has also served as my way to say thank you to all of you who cared enough for me to be very patient and treat me like a regular person even though for a small One important aspect we considered, is that Gavin was just another "normal" kid to all he knew in Kindergarten, before diagnosis. Students with disabilities can receive structured help with schoolwork through an Individualized Education Program or a 504 plan. My prayer is Gavin really becomes a champion of what victory over cancer looks like to those whose path he crosses, showing that every hurtle, large or small, he crosses over matters and may be just what someone else needs to keep going, be they the patient or the caregiver.

After reading your story I feel so very blessed. Thank you for sharing your family's and especially Gavin's story. and also stem cell nutrition? If you can’t find one in your city, try searching for online support groups for your family, yourself, or your child. Praying that he will be especially blessed for all that he had been through. My apologies We did chemotherapy but his, however, failed and therefore had to stop the chemo right away. He is one of the youngest in his class, as well as having the struggles he has. I feel helpless and emotional. This could be done before your child’s treatment ends, so your child re-enters a welcoming, supportive environment when he or she returns to school. Nicole lives in Ramsey, MN with her husband and three children. And although statistics show that more than 80 percent of children with cancer live 5 years or more (after diagnosis), many–if not all–of childhood cancer survivors continue to struggle physically, emotionally, and even psychologically long past the initial diagnosis. Through your story, however, I can see that you had wonderful resources and your whole family was in the fight together.

Most children, especially teenagers, won’t open up about how they’re feeling or the challenges they encounter at school. God be with you all. Some children feel excited about returning to school, while others feel upset or anxious. Remember that it’s completely normal for children to have mixed emotions about returning to school. Getting back into the swing of the school year can be difficult for any child. I read your story and God bless all your families hard work in Gavin's journey in life! For the thousands of children in the U.S. living with a brain tumor or cancer, going back to school is bittersweet. Nancy, thank you for your kind words. Thank you for sharing your story. Getting back into the swing of the school year can be difficult for any child. 2020 Patient Guide to Cancer Support Services, childhood cancer accounts for less than 1 percent of total diagnosed cancers each year, Some survivors may even carry this emotional weight with them through adulthood, How Virtual Learning Can Reduce Stress for Children with Cancer, 7-Year-Old Lynden Raises Money for Cancer Research While Fighting Lymphoma, The Invisible and Visible Scars of Cancer. In most cases, pediatric-cancer survivors lag years behind in school. When deciding which support group to join, ask yourself and your child how comfortable you are talking to strangers about your personal experiences. This was a wonderful an touching story. Read: Complementary Therapies for Young Adults with Cancer Can Overcome Isolation, Control Pain, and Promote Healing. Dayle,

COVID-19 has brought virtual learning into the mainstream, meaning that a child with cancer who learns from home is now in the same “classroom” environment as any other student, which can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Nicole is also a mathematics teacher with a Education specialist degree in Brain-based teaching. Some children may have issues with fine-motor coordination, making it challenging for them to accomplish everyday tasks, such as tying shoelaces, engaging in physical activities or sports, or writing by hand. For example, I taught children at the third grade who coped and struggled daily to be successful at third grade, and who were generally younger developmentally than the larger group. I am do happy for your family and the support you have from the school, doctors and PACER and all programs out there you have available to you. This brain tumor could have stolen his life, his joy, his happiness but he refused to let that happen.

I follow Gavin's Caring Bridge site and continue to pray for all of you. I will keep you all in my prayers! I am a stay at home mom and grandmother. As much as a strong support system is crucial for helping children with cancer to cope with surgery or rigorous radiation or chemotherapy treatments, the same tenacious support, care, and love, are needed by survivors to empower them to transition back to a normal routine. Wow. I try to be a encouraging person to people who are on here. Remember, the vision, values, and purpose of each support group vary—from communities that connect adolescents or young adults with other childhood cancer survivors, to networks that help cancer patients and survivors look good and improve their self-esteem.

I am glad that Gavin is able to attend school and is feeling better.

While the road to recovery for childhood-cancer survivors can be riddled with bumps and ruts, successfully navigating challenges is possible, with the right mindset, the right preparation, and people who love and care for you by your side. Always attend his ARD time, to remind the teachers what are going to be challenges and how you can be a helper through all these deficits he might experience. God is good, lean on him. I am a grandmother of three healthy grandchildren. Praying for the school experience and getting back to his childhood. Add your comments in the comment section below. Back-to-school for us is so much more than buying a few new outfits and getting the necessary supplies. By using this website you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Know your options. Despite all these challenges, Gavin is excited to begin third grade! From a former teacher. Connect with the school’s guidance counselor or psychologist. With this in mind, we’ve put in place many new procedures, including a limited visitor policy.

He was diagnosed at 9 yrs old and in 3rd grade. I also think the Dayle's suggestion with regard to your other children is critical. Giving any child the gift of time to develop and not to be overplaced in an academic setting is a gift that blesses him for a lifetime. You and your family are special and i pray for Gavin's ongoing process and his treatments. All feelings are welcome. Gavin has an amazing neuropsychologist who supports him and his academics and encourages him on how far he has come. I have read your story and send caring thoughts your way as you advocate for your son.Though understandably Gavin is more time consuming and worrisome, never forget your older children. You may wish to invite someone from your child’s medical or cancer-care team to help you discuss your son’s or daughter’s situation, diagnosis, and necessary accommodations with the school’s faculty, and perhaps with his or her peers as well.