Looking for a Kid-friendly Cancer Support Group or Any Help/prayers

I can't offer you a kid-friendly cancer support group, but I can tell you that I've been where you are. My father was diagnosed with Mantle-Cell Lymphoma when my children were very small. He was given 2 months to live and managed (with some very wonderful doctors at Duke in NC) to live for 2 years. He passed away from complications from infections in 2001. My prayers are with you and if you ever want to just talk, I'm here. Just send a private message and I'll give you my e-mail.

C. in cincinnati

Check with a hospice group they have support groups for children ... New life on abbe rd in sheffield used to have one it has been a whiile not sure if they still do....good luck.

Hi
I am a Professional Counselor- I am so sorry to hear about your situation... You might want to lookon Psychology Today's Website and also contact your local hospital for support groups. Also, maybe you could put an add on Craigslist to start a group for people in this situation where you guys could get together to help each other. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. My mom had breast cancer 5 years ago- I know the kind of stress this puts on a family.
J.

Last June (6/10), I was diagnosed with Lymphoma. It was the day before my son's second birthday. My daughter was not yet 3 months old. My diagnosis was Hodgkins. What is your father's exact diagnosis?
Cancer is stressful on everyone. The good news is that Lymphoma is not necessarily a bad cancer to have. A good friend is in DC right now recovering from a stem cell transplant after a recurrence, and she's doing great.
Contact Immerman's Angels in Chicago. They will match you with someone going through the same thing as you (even as the supporter and not the person with cancer).
I had a really hard time after I was declared cancer free. I still think everything is cancer.
Please make sure your father is being treated by the absolute BEST Oncologist for Lymphoma. IU has a wonderful department - in my case, I didn't want a general Oncologist treating me who may only see a few cases of my exact cancer in his lifetime. Get second and third opinions if needed.
The Leukemia and Lymphoma society also has a lot of good information on support - but, there is NOTHING local. Ask your Oncologist's office to put you in touch with someone else going through the same thing you are.
Focus on all the GREAT things in life. Your father is likely so much more worried about the people he may leave behind than he is himself - as the person with cancer, you do rely a lot on the people supporting you, and you need them to be strong and to remind you of all the great things in life.
Also, Facebook has some good Lymphoma groups. You might just type Lymphoma in the search field.
Keep us posted.

Hello,
I am not sure of a support group but I am also in the same situation of sorts... My father was just diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma and he and my stepmother are our day sitters because my husband and I both work. I am feeling emotional also. I love my Dad and I am so nervous for him and what is ahead because he really has never been sick. I have never really seen my Dad as anything but strong so I am just worried for him.
I am also sad for my children. My son just turned 4 last week and we have an 18 month old boy. They have barely been able to see their grandparents this summer and I am not sure what is ahead with my parents watching the boys at the beginning of school because of my father's treatments. My husband and I are both teachers...I don't know what we are going to do.
I am not sure of any support groups but if you would like to talk even if it is just to let out some emotion please feel free to write.
Sincerely,
M.

Hospice has some great support groups for all ages, we used them when my father had cancer for the whole family. All churches have pray chains, contact any in your area. I will send out my request to all friends and family to add you to our chains as well.
You have my heart felt sympathy during this time, please feel free to contact me if you need a broad, strong, shoulder to lean on. I am here for you and your family.

I'm very sure that Akron Children's Hospital and Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland would have support groups for children and be able to recommend adult and/or family support groups as well. I'm very sorry you are having to deal with this situation. I wish you and your family the best.

M.

I don't know where you live, but ask the hospitals around you. They should be able to help you. Wherever your dad is getting treatment will have that info too. My mom just started chemo for her lymphoma 3 days ago. Do a search for lymphoma support group. There a lots of sites that pop up. The Cleveland Clinic has a number of them throughout the region. As hard as it is, remember lymphoma is one of the better cancers to get as it has a high survival rate. Good luck with everything. You'll get through it.

Dear S.,
I would gain support from your church. They can help babysit and pray for you. Go to the local hospital or the one your dad is in and ask if there is a group that you can participate in. L. J

Don't know where you live, but the church at East 91st Street on the north side of Indy in the Castleton area has support groups for about anything and everything you can think of....addictions, infertility, military, etc. The church number is ###-###-####.

If you live in the Cincinnati area, check out Fernside. They specialize in grieving children.

There should be some local support groups in your area for individuals faced with cancer or have family members faced with cancer. You should start with the American Cancer Society, they will have information on your local support groups, and if there are none in the area through American Cancer Society, they will and should know of others through different organizations. Maybe once you get this information you can call a coordinator of these support groups and let them know your situation. You would be soooo surprised how helpful and generous these volunteers, and cancer survivors can be for you. You may even be able to hook up with someone over the phone to give some support that way since you have kids.
I know it's hard asking for help, but you may want to see if you have a neighbor or some friends that can watch your kids while you attend a support group once a month. They are usually an hour or two, and it really might be helpful for you. And when your father is feeling better, you all can attend these support groups together.
I am sorry you have to be in this difficult situation and to have your children be involved as well, makes things even more difficult. I am sure there are days when you feel like breaking down and you can't in front of a 4 year old. I pray for strength for you, and you will get through this. My only advice is to find some time when you can to focus on something that makes you feel good (mentally) b/c you need the strength to get you through parenting as well as being a support system for your mother and father. Good luck with everything and just know there are plenty of people out there who are willing to help, you just have find them.

I don't know where you are located. But there is a national organization called Kids Konnected (www.kidskonnected.org) with local support groups in many cities. They specialize is helping kids with a family member who has cancer. They have support group meetings that are geared to a variety of age groups.

Good luck - our prayers will be with you all.
Joyce

My mother had high grade lymphoma stage 4 and my husband continues to have cancer. The Terre Haute Cancer society is wonderful. They had an activity book for my child to help her deal with issues. Your local cancer society is a great resource. On line there is tons of information.
Most important keep yourself/family informed to know what to look for. Encourage your father to notify his doctor when he gets even the slightest cold. etc.

Hi S.,
You're situation sounds so frustrating and I will definately keep you and your father in my prayers. I have noticed a small church on Smoky Row Rd in Dublin/ Columbus that has a "cancer support group" sign in it's front lawn. I'm not sure if you're from the area but I would think a church would be accomodating to the children. Please contact me if you're interested and I can get more info for you(I have a friend that attends the church). Best of luck!
M.

S., first i wish you and your family the best during this difficult time. i hope that you and everyone else will come out stronger, and more healthy on the other side. I don't know about support groups where you are, but i do know that the James Cancer Hospital at OSU runs great programs in Columbus and they may be able to recommend something closer to you. their visitor support line is ###-###-####, they may be able to help. Again my prayers are with you and your family.

J.

I just wanted to say my thoughts and prayers are with you. Please realize also that your hormones are not back to normal after having a baby. Make sure you get enough rest. Hopefully you have a few friends that can help to allow you to get rest. I was pregnant when my mom became ill and she passed away when my son was 10 months old so it was more stressful because of the overactive hormones. My mother was sick with a different cancer but she had always been there to help me with my kids too. It was my chance to help her out. There are support groups at churches and through hospitals or they can get you that information. There are churches that help out families in situations like this. Some mother's groups can offer guidance with help with your kids. Sounds like you need some rest so that you can handle things better. Talk to your husband so he knows what is going on with you. Hudson Community Church has a lot of resources. Give them a call.

I don't know of a support group. But there is a wonderful moms group, where all of the moms are very positive and supportive of each other. You can go to the following site to check it out:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AC_Moms/

They have activities every week. It would definitely help you to get out of the house. There are a lot of children the same ages of yours.

I am sorry that your family has to go through this. Cancer is a terrible disease that has touched many people that are close to me. I will pray for you father and your family.

Take care,
C.

S.,
First I want to say how sorry I am. I can only imagine how stressful this is for you. Our church this weekend is having a Free Family Fun Fest. I think your little one would really enjoy it. We are located in Aurora...not too far from you. I will attach the website. We have wonderful people who are associated with our church and maybe we could see how we can help.

http://www.gatewaychurchcleveland.com/happenings.html

It's going to be alot of fun! And yes...everything is Free! Look for me if you attend, I will be serving food.

Sincerely,
A.
###-###-####
www.HopeShared.com

First of let me say I am sorry to hear about your father and I know how hard it is, cancer runs on both sides of my family, so I know your stress. As I was reading I said I will say a few special prayers for you and then I got to the bottom where you said you would have to take your boys. Why not post and see if you can find people to JOIN a support group. I know they have a lot of on-line support groups, so you never have to leave home, but I also know what it is like want to be able to talk to people face to face. Maybe you can start something where other mothers might be going through the same thing, and it can be at a persons house and everyone can bring their children. Maybe you can switch up where it will be kinda like a book club.
That is just an idea.
Again you and your family will be in my prayers as I pray for strength and healing for not only your father but your entire family.

Where do you live S.? Our thoughts and prays are with you and your entire family.