Anyone had a child go through chemo?

[Loula]

I'm very sorry to read of your news. I am unable to offer any first had experience at this time but know there are many amazing supportive members who may be able to help you in this time of needing more info. Sending light and love


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[nickle730]

I'm so sorry, the shock and fear must be overwhelming.

One of my DS's friends is currently undergoing chemo for leukaemia. He is 7, and suffering a different form of cancer, so I'm sure the treatment will differ. He has been undergoing chemo for about 10 months now and was absent from school for about three months but now attends full time unless he feels particularly exhausted or unwell. Early in his treatment, DS's mate was very tired and suffering constant nausea and vomiting. He was given steroids which massively increased his appetite and also contributed to a large weight gain. Because the chemo wipes out the immune system, he is very susceptible to any infection he is exposed to. We all keep our children home if they are unwell (and it's a small school), but we have had outbreaks of gastro and chicken pox which caused a great deal of stress for the child's family. Unfortunately, he did catch gastro and was hospitalised for a week. He managed to avoid chicken pox (stayed home at the height of the outbreak) and there is also a treatment which can be given to a person undergoing chemo who has been exposed to chicken pox which helps to prevent an infection. DS's mate had to have this treatment (can't remember the name, some form of immunoglobulin) a couple of times. His chemo treatment's are less frequent now than they were initially and he appears a lot stronger and certainly has more energy than he did a few months ago. Infection from the people around him is still a great concern, but his parent's have made the choice not to isolate him - he will be undergoing treatment for two years (at least) so to isolate him for that period of time would be very difficult both practically and socially. DS's mate did lose his hair approximately two months into treatment but it has now grown back, slightly thinner than it was prior to treatment.

The chemo was initially IV but is now given orally - apparently it tastes pretty awful!

I'm so sorry your DS has been diagnosed with cancer. You will be in my thoughts and I hope his recovery is both swift and complete.

[Butterfly Dawn]

Im so very sorry. you are in our thoughts and prayers.

[Kazzo]

Could not read and reply. Sending your little guy so much strength and healing and health and hugs to you.

[RhiChiChi]

I cannot offer any advice but wanted to offer my support during this difficult time for you all

[Mother Goose]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm another with for you. Do you have a good support network around you?

[RainbowBrite]

I am so sorry you are going through this
I don't have any experience but want to offer you a huge

[Rowellen]

Some more for you. I am so sorry you and your family are going through this.

[AndiE]

I can't help with the question you're asking, but wanted to also send you .
Sending your dear baby boy health and healing vibes xx

[tumoreye2]

Much to our shock and devastation, our beautiful 6 month old boy was diagnosed on Friday with retinoblastoma, cancer of the eye. As the are hoping to save his eye, he will be having chemo to reduce the tumor before it is lasered.
I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice or experience on what I can expect? We are absolutely heartbroken and it has all happened so fast. Thursday we were enjoying our healthy boy, 24 hours later we had a child with cancer

I am sorry to learn about your son, and i understand what you may be going through as it happened to my son as well. He was 1 yr old when he was diagnosed with retinoblastoma in his right eye, his tumor was at very advanced stage and doctor gave us two options, one to take out the eye or second was to undergo 6 sessions of chemotherapy and post that numerous lazer therapy sessions, however this option had no guarantees as it only works if the tumor responds to chemo sessions.

The Chemo sessions
So 3 years back our fight with cancer started, initial chemo sessions are very hard, in our case it was given to my son via drip which takes about 5 to 7 hours to finish, this is the toughest part. Few things you will see, the issue with finding the nerve via which to inject the drip with chemo drug (have strong heart here because it’s not easy to see as sometimes they might not get the nerve easily). Secondly, how do u keep such a small baby still and engaged during a long session (take toys, music, ipads anything to keep him distracted, you will get a chance to feed him but i think after the session)

Post the session is over, during that week he has to be given immunity boosters drugs to keep his immunity up which suffers because of the nature of chemo drugs. General chemo side effects include fever, stomach upsets, baby crying a lot, however these are only some of them for details consult the oncologist who will advice you on the chemo sessions.

Lazer Therapy
Post that lazer therapy is given under local anesthesia to the kid which is easier only thing is when he comes out of a session, you need to just observe till that time he is conscious again and can give him some water or juice after an hour or so.

My main suggestion after going through this ordeal is, have a strong heart, try to make the chemo sessions as much fun as possible to keep the child distracted from the actual procedure, finally it’s a long road but keep walking each step to recovery. May GOD heal your child

I recently started work on spreading awareness on retinoblastoma with a Non Profit organization based in India called tumoreye and am still working on my website. You can also find me: tumoreye on twitter, pinterest and facebook

Regards
Basudev

[AwesomeFoursome]

I've not had any experience with it either, but just wanted you to know i will be thinking of you all.

[Footsteps]

Thinking of you all and all the love and hugs and support in the world x

[Jaycee]

I'm so sorry to hear this news, thinking of you

[Butterfly Dawn]

thinking of you and your baby

[glenny_c]

So sorry hon. I understand the shock when you find out your beautiful new baby is sick. it is devastating! I'm so sorry that you are having to face this! If you would like to talk to someone who has recently been through similar circumstances (not cancer but I understand the emotions) feel free to PM me.

[kelsbels]

After further investigation we have been told the cancer is more advanced and very aggressive. We have therefore decided to have the eye removed and hopefully avoid any other treatment. Thank you for your love and support xxx

[RockingBaker]

So much love to you and your beautiful boy. You have been in my thoughts everyday and will continue to be xx

[buffy1]

So sorry Kel. Thinking of you and your darling boy.