How to stay positive when undergoing cancer treatment as a child

There will be always someone there to listen

It is very hard to tell yourself to stay positive when you are initially told you have cancer; simply because the very word is connected to terrible imagery. However, positive you can and will be as you go through treatment due to the wonderful support network you will have. From doctors and nurses, to fellow patients, there are many people around you that understand the fear of the unknown you may have when going through treatment. There will be always someone there to listen.

Never feel as if your voice is not important

With that comes the important point of never being afraid to ask about your treatment. It is you that is going through cancer treatment and whatever problems or questions you have then you should never feel uncomfortable about asking. The doctors will explain what will happen clearly and will make sure family members are kept up to date with your treatment pathway. I know, it can be quite strange having many adults around you talking about what you are going through but you must never feel as if your voice is not important.

Use the time to explore new things

When going through treatment it is important to try and do as many things as you used to do before your treatment. There will be times when you feel tired and do not want to do anything and that is expected when going through your treatment. But in other times, make sure you do things that you love doing. Boredom will set in, so if you keep positive and use the time to explore new things then you will have something to look forward to when you have bad days of not really wanting to do much at all. I am sure there are many clubs and activities that you will be able to join and who knows, you might find something that you carry on with after your hospital stay. Be creative, take up something new, maybe even keep a diary that you can look back on when you ring that bell after finishing your treatment.

Above all else, remember you are not alone

Cancer is a rotten disease, but I know you all have it in you to beat it. Talk to your friends and family, find advice from fellow patients but don’t lay on the bed feeling sorry for yourself. You can do this… you can show cancer what for. And afterwards, you can look upon it as a time which you got something out of and not cancer getting the best of you. This blog was written by Darren, who is a childhood cancer survivor, after having Acute Myeloid Luekaemia when he was 11 in 1996. If you know a child who is going through childhood cancer treatment, let them know that Darren is willing to answer questions like this one. Contact us at stories@childrenwithcancer.org.uk so that we can put forward the questions to him.