Help child cope with impact of facial disfigurement

Hello WillowWispdefb8c 

Thank you for reaching out to our Online Community, my name is Katie, and I am a Cancer Information and Support advisor here at Macmillan.

I’m sorry to hear about your Dad’s health, it sounds like he is going through such a lot just now, this must be such a lot for you and your family. I am glad you have reached out for support today.

It sounds like you are doing the best you can for your son, having regular conversations and talking through this so that he understands the best he can. It is so difficult to see a loved one going through cancer especially as he looks different to him. There are organisations such as Fruitfly collective who provide guidance to parents to help support their child, they provide support, toolkits, and have links to books too. The Osborne Trust is another charity who support young children when a family member has cancer – they provide emotional support and guidance for supporting your son. Changing Faces is another organisation who specifically support those with visible difference, whilst they are primarily there for those with visible difference, I feel it would be worth looking at how they can support you and your family going forward.

As you mentioned earlier you are having conversations with your son, I feel it would be worthwhile taking a look at our guidance around having conversations with children when a loved one has cancer. If your son is in education, it is worth speaking to his school, so they can look out for any changes in behaviour, or need for support whilst in their care.

How are you finding everything WillowWispdefb8c ? This must be so difficult seeing your Dad going through this and also seeing the impact this is having on your son. We’re here to support you, by providing emotional support – a listening ear, a place to talk through how you are feeling, as well as having clinical nurses for any guidance and support as well as more practically having a Money team to look at finances.

We’re here 7 days a week 8am-8pm by contacting our helpline on 0808 808 0000 option 1 and 1 for emotional support, options 1 and 3 for our nurses and option 1 and 2 for finances (Monday-Friday 8am-6pm), you can also contact us online through our chat service and by email too.

Take care and please do reach out for further support should you need it. 

Thank you so much for that. 

It was a huge shock and can't help but feel a little helpless in it all but I'm so glad when he realised something wasn't right he got it checked or it would have been too late. Still wouldn't wish this on anyone though - least of all my dad. Incredibly grateful to the hospitals he's had the op / treatment with and the support that's been offered from family, friends and the community. My son's teacher is actually my parents neighbour so I'm glad he has that confidence at school that the teacher will understand the situation if he does have any worries.

Thank you again for the resources. Much appreciated!