When a Parent Has Cancer: A Guide to Caring for Your Children and "Becky and the Worry Cup" - book set

by Wendy Schlessel Harpham

At some point in our lives, many of us will face the crisis of an unexpected illness. For parents, the fear, anxiety and confusion resulting from a cancer diagnosis can be particularly devastating. When A Parent Has Cancer is a book for families written from the heart of experience. A mother, physician, and cancer survivor, Dr Wendy Harpham offers clear, direct, and sympathetic advice for parents challenged with the task of raising normal, healthy children while they struggle with a potentially life–threatening disease. Dr Harpham lays the groundwork of her book with specific plans for helping children through the upheaval of a parent's diagnosis and treatment, remission and recovery, and if necessary, confronting the possibility of death. She emphasises the importance of being honest with children about the gravity of the illness, while assuring them that their basic needs will always be met. Included is Becky and the Worry Cup , an illustrated children's book that tells the story of a seven–year–old girl's experiences with her mother's cancer.

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 1997

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful book for parents who are experiencing Cancer and how to help their children. This book could be helpful for any parent struggling with a physical or mental health concern. Easy to read.

[Elisha Condie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I was reading "When a parent wins the lottery and becomes fabulously wealthy". As it is, hope this one is helpful.

I finished it. I think I put off reading this because part of me doesn't want to be in any kind of group, reading or otherwise, associated with cancer. I just want Brian to get better, and let's never talk about it again. Stupid cancer.

This book is written by a woman who has recurrent cancer and writes about how it affects her and her family, so that other people can learn from them. I thought she was very astute and so much of what she said made sense. I really liked the part about how your kids are being affected by it, even if you think they're not, and you have to watch out for them. Never lie to them, but give them hope.

And the information on the "well spouse" - me, in our lives - was helpful. I can't for the life of me figure out why I still don't make dinner and feel overwhelmed a lot, but this book talks about that and just seeing it written out as someone else has experienced it made me feel better. Note to self: must figure out how to maintain a higher emotional energy level.

The part about focusing on situations you can win was helpful to me too. When someone in your family is really sick you do spent a lot of time being bugged that it was you it happened to, watching other families play outside or work on their house and you just kind of resent them. Harpham points out that this doesn't do anybody any good, and it just robs you of a good day when you sit and stew about it. She has a point there.

Anyway....this is a good book. Hopefully no one I know will EVER have to read it.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very useful book. Upsetting at times, but easy to read in small bits, and full of helpful information and advice from the perspective of an educated parent patient, who's also a doctor.