raising a child with leukemia

This is Danielle now. She has been through alot but, she is a fighter and doing well at this time.

However we still have quiet a ways to go. She is now 21 months into her treatment. We still have 8 months to go. She has faced tremendous challenges, including allergic reactions, side effects, and non-tolorence of medications.

Danielle will graduate from High School this year. It is a miracle we got this far. Danielle's education has suffered greatly. However, the most important thing is that she is finally there. Her last year of school.

TheLeukemia has interferred with her learning abilities along with other side effects such as STEVENS JOHNSON SYNDROME, this she developed from taking a medication that was later changed. Her motor skills were greatly afftected when she was only six with a brain tumor, this just added to her existing problems.

My daughter now 18 was diagnosed with Leukemia December 2005. This hit us like a rock. She once had cancer before in her life. When she was 6 years old she had a Brain tumor. We went through alot then so, when this hit us it was extremely hard.

The brain tumor she had was a meduloblastoma. The tumor was about the size of a small egg and was attached to her brain stem. She had surgery to remove the tumor. She went through a year of chemotherapy and 8 weeks of radiation. She recovered with some lasting effects which included, nerve damage to her left side of her body.

She beat cancer then and I believe she will beat this now.

Sometimes, and it is often, people do not have insurance. This is a tragedy. But, it is something that is unavoidable. Most of the time, you will be assigned to a social worker for help in the clinic you go to. Make sure you talk to this person. She or He will be able to help. Even when you have never in this lifetime ever had to ask for help for your family, you have to put your ego aside and ask for help, there are organizations that will help you. This is what they are for. Sometimes careers are put on hold and one of the working members of the household has to quit. Well this is life and this is the hand that was dealt to you, so you will have to live day by day. Life cant be figured out by a calander and appointments any more. Because when you have a sick child they will be #1 priority from hear on out. So ask for help sometime.

The treatment your child receives may cause them to loose or change some of their taste or change their sense of smell. The foods they liked before may taste bad to them, Their likes and dislikes may change from day to day.

It is important to keep their weight up. Add lots of calories to their diet. Danielle went from 116 pounds down to 78 pounds in just a few months. It was hard to get her weight up with her taste changeing from day to day. We had to add calorie booster in her diet. He weight came up, which was a good thing because she didnt like to talk to the dietitician at all. They spoke of putting a tube into her stomach and tried but she kept vomiting it up. So they were going to put it into her stomach and she refused, she said she would rather die. This was hard. So when your child wont eat, what do you do. Just keep fixing what they want to eat.

This is going to be hard on your purse, believe me I know. But it is something you have to do. Dont force them to eat something they dont want or you will be cleaning up alot of vomit

Danielle's image of herself has been a big issue for her. She really gets depressed alot, mostly due to her palsy on the left side and her hair loss. She worries about peers talking about her. She doesnt like it when they stare or laugh. I try to explain to her that sometimes people just dont understand and they would rather wonder or talk among themselves instead of asking. This just doesnt mean much to her. She just gets really annoyed.

So, for all of those out there that do this to anyone, just go up and ask what is wrong with the person, they would rather you ask then to whisper, laugh, or talk about them.

Teenagers are especially rough on other kids that have medical issues. So parents should teach and talk to their children about this issue. If children are more informed I find that they are more caring individuals.

Danielle has been treated by some of the greatest physicians I do know of most of them currently are at a clinic called nemours childrens clinic www.nemours.org. They listen to her and allow her imput about her care. This is important to children because they know something is wrong with there body and they hurt. You should never hide what is going on with them. Keep them informed of their care and what is being done to them. Some may be to young to understand but it really helps their feelings if you talk to them and just keep explaining everything to them. Even if it is bad, this really helps.

 Danielle my baby girl you will never be forgotten. I love you and miss you everyday. Danielle Nicole Strickland November 03 1988-August 19 2008.

Rest in Peace My little Angel

No more Doctors, No more Pain. I love you