How To Talk To Kids About Cancer and other tough diagnoses

Whether your diagnosis will mildly affect your health, or drastically impact your lifespan, telling your children about it is a good idea. But just because something needs to be done, don't make it easy. That's why I'm talking with Diana Sloan today. She's got great ideas about how to talk to kids about cancer. (Her ideas will work for any diagnosis)

UPDATE - I am crying as I write this. This is the hardest part of working with Moms with illness. Diana Sloan passed away April, 2021. She fought her battle with strength and dignity, and helped countless others fighting this battle. We will always remember you.

"I'm just somebody that wants to be here as long as possible and leave a little something in this world that somebody can take with them and it might help them in some way, shape, or form down the road." - Diana Sloan

 

Today Diana Sloan and I talked about:

• Why she believes it's important to talk openly with her kids about her cancer and how it does, and will affect her health and her life.
• What she wants for her children after she's gone, and how she's letting them know now.
• Why it's important to enjoy everything we can, while we can.
• The importance of having support for the days you can't get it all done.
• Why she decided to be transparent about her condition and treatment with her kids.
• How her children have handled what's happening with her cancer.
• Don't think you have to protect your kids from everything.
• How she found out she had cancer - rectal bleeding.
• Why her doctor ignored her symptoms for 2 years.
• Listening to your body, and knowing when something isn't right
• The importance of being an advocate for yourself and your health
• Younger people can get cancer - she was 38 when first diagnosed.
• And MORE

Who is Diana Sloan?

Diana Sloan is originally from Chesapeake, Virginia, and is a graduate of James Madison University. She currently lives in Lakeway, Texas, with her husband of nineteen years and their three daughters. Diana was an English teacher until 2012 when she was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer. She is currently in treatment and spends her free time making memories with her family. She is also active in the colorectal cancer community and is the blog manager for The Colon Club, an all-volunteer advocacy group.

 

Diana's advice to moms with cancer:

You know your children best & what they can handle. Don't underestimate them. You want to protect them from the hurt and the pain, but be honest and let them know mommy or daddy is sick. There will be changes and I need you to be patient when that happens. Based on their age, decide how much detail you want to give. Kids are more perceptive than adults give them credit for. We owe it to them to give them the information that will explain why things are so weird and decide where to go from there.

Diana's superpower:

The ability to push through and do the things that need to be done when all she wants to do is crawl back in bed. And sarcasm.

 

You can find Diana Sloan:

Diana is the blog manager for The Colon Club.

You can find their website:https://colonclub.com/blog

Diana's post about talking to her daughter about cancer is here:

https://colonclub.com/the-talk-i-never-wanted-to-have/

Want to talk to Diana personally? You can e-mail her at: Diana@colonclub.com

Want to connect? You can find me (Jen):

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejenhardy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjenhardy

Chronically Positive Moms Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chronicallypositivemoms/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thejenhardy

 

I'd love to hear from you personally! You can email me at jen@jenhardy.net. I read and answer every one myself.

Thank you for joining me, Jen

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Our music is "A New Day," by Scott Holmes

This episode is sponsored by the book, "The Sick Mom's Guide to Having Fun Again: If I can do it, you can too!" available on Amazon.