Medical Events and Traumatic Stress in Children and Families

[Patricia56]

Here is a link to a publication of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network that I think is very important for us as parents to review. Particularly the part addressing childhood cancer, which is closest to a chronic disease model.

One of the most important things I took away from reading through this information was a reminder of the impact this disease has had on me and my mental health. Recognizing our vulnerability and finding ways to take care of ourselves is an important part of being a good parent in my opinion.

Medical Events and Traumatic Stress in Children and Families

http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/MedicalTraumaticStress.pdf

 

[DustyKat]

Thanks for posting Patricia.

I see many parallels in the article to that of my own experience. I am aware that I often walk the precipice and I could easily fall either way. When Sarah was the only one diagnosed I clung to the notion that she would be the only one affected and so having one healthy child was a safety net, but when that was taken away things became so much more fragile.

Having a child with a chronic incurable illness surely is a hard road to hoe. Recognising the impact that sudden traumatic events can have on children and their parents is imperative just as recognising the impact of long term illness with no foreseeable conclusion to its course is for the sufferers/children and their carers/parents.

Dusty. xxx