Are they Real? Part II
by Eve Silverman
When my mom had Breast Cancer when I was three and a half years old, it changed my life. For a long time I did not really know what was going on. All I knew was that my mommy had gone to the hospital and that she would not be home for a while. My dad and I visited my mom almost every single day. It was not that hard for me during that time while she was gone. The tough part was when she came home. I know it should be the other way around, but it isn't.
When she got home from the hospital, it was a difficult time. She could not pick me up or hold me. I could not give her a hug, or even sit in her lap. She had stay to in bed for a while. It was difficult because she could not take me to preschool or to the park.
I learned a lot from this experience. And that is why I want to help kids who have moms with Breast Cancer. I have come up with eight suggestions for kids to help their families if someone has Breast Cancer.
- If you are worried, scared or frightened, it is all right to ask questions. Getting information helps you to know more about the disease. I asked my mom if I could see the stitches. And after she showed me I was not so scared anymore. You can talk to your mom too.
- You could help out your mom around the house. You could help with the dishes and set the table. I tried to clean up my toys. I was only three so my dad helped me.
- You could read, sing, or dance for your mom. If you read your mom her favorite poem, or sing her favorite lullaby, you will definitely brighten her spirits. If you can't read yet or don't like to sing, you can dance to her favorite song. We have video of me singing my favorite song, "Mr. Sandman." Those videos always make us laugh now.
- ou can write down your thoughts. Grab a piece of paper and right down ten thoughts every day. Make a thought box and put one thought in there every day. This is helpful because you can let out your emotions instead of keeping them bottled up inside.
- You can draw pictures of your feelings. This is helpful if you are too little to write. This is a nice way to express your feelings whether you are angry, sad, confused, or happy.
- You can help your mom change her bandages and take her medicine. If you want to help out with bandages you have to be very gentle. You can help your mom out with the medicine by getting her a glass of water. It is probably not a good idea to play with the pills.
- If you have brothers or sisters you can occupy them so they don't bug your mom. If you are an only child like me, then take care of the pet. Your mom needs rest most of all
- Bring your mom something special every day to let her know that you are thinking about her. When my mom was sick I brought her flowers from our garden. Of course I needed help from dad. Sometimes I just brought mom a fistful of leaves, but she still took a good whiff of them and pretended they smelled beautiful. You could make her a handmade card or bring her magazines from the market. My mom especially liked the ones about movie stars.
These are just some of the things you can do to help your mom if she gets Breast Cancer. And I am sure you all want to know the secret of my success. When all else failed to make my mom feel better, you want know what my mom liked most?... BREAKFAST IN BED!!! It works every time!
Eve Silverman is ten years old and the daughter of a breast cancer survivor. Her experience while her mother battled the disease changed her life, and she is committed to helping other children cope with the inevitable changes within the family that occur during and after diagnosis and treatment. When she is not at her computer writing, Eve loves to dance and sing, ride horses and Trick-or-Treat. She wants to be a professional dancer or a pediatrician when she grows up, and, of course, to continue to write professionally.