Re: [CML] how to tell children

[derodeghier]

In a message dated 9/13/2004 9:54:19 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I am a 55 male with two children...16 and 11.  I was diagnosed last week...but have few outward symptoms...and am wondering what I should tell the kids.  I do not want to alarm them terribly...but would appreciate advice from anyone that has dealt with this. Hi,   I don't know your name but I know the problem well.  I was dxed in 1997 at the age of 52, I had three kids.  My oldest daughter was 6 yrs old, my son was 2 yrs 6 months and the youngest daughter was 11 months.   The dx was a complete surprise, because I'd had no symptoms of any trouble.  I went for my company physical and the white cell count was way to high.  We decided not to say anything at first, but the conversation on the phone and with people while the kids were around even though we only referred to my condition as Leukemia led to questions from the oldest.  She saw a program on TV about cancer and they mentioned that Leukemia was very deadly in older people.  That led to us telling the truth to her our son was still to young to understand how serious the condition could get.   Your kids are older and will catch on much easier than mine did, if it were me I'd tell them trying to be as positive as possible about the prognoses.  Point out the advances that have been made in the fight of this form of Cancer.  At this point my children are very helpful in the support department and we all need all of the support we can get!   My very best to you and the decision you make what ever that turns out to be.   Jim Rodeghier     New! Sign up for local CML support group meetings in your local community at http://cml.meetup.com Apply for Commercial Real Estate loans online and submit your deal to dozens of hungry lenders in just minutes. Loan programs for all types of business and commercial real estate. Apply anytime at http://realestatezoo.com CML (Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Support List) --------------------------------- Part Of CMLHope.Com An International Community Of CML Patients For more information: http://cmlhope.com Post Message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe:  [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe:  [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To No Mail/Web: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To Digest: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED]  CML Group Web Site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CML Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CML/   To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]   Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.