Taking care of a child with leukemia can have a huge impact on everyone in your family: your child who has leukemia, her siblings, you, your partner, and other caregivers. It can also affect the relationships between people.
It is important for you and your family to know that there is nothing that you could have done to cause or prevent your child from developing leukemia. You will need time to understand your child's diagnosis and the changes it will bring to your lives. Also take time to find your inner strength and the support of your family and friends to help you get through this difficult time.
Once your child is diagnosed, many different feelings may come up during the course of treatment. All children face similar emotional challenges while being treated for leukemia. However, your child’s leukemia experience may vary depending on whether she has acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This is because of differences in the length and intensity of treatment, and time spent in and out of the hospital. For ALL, your child receives a longer treatment as an outpatient. The experience differs for children with AML, who are hospitalized for a shorter, more intense treatment.
Whether your child has ALL or AML, ensuring she is eating healthy foods is part of her treatment plan. During this time, particular eating and nutritional issues may also arise. Members of your child’s health care team can help you and your child overcome the challenges you will come up against.