Hi, I was diagnosed in April and have undergone DVTD treatment which so far thankfully has been successful. I am leaving my husband and three young children in a weeks time to go into hospital for a month to have my STEM cell transplant. While my husband will be able to visit me, my children will not be allowed due to the risk of infection.My eldest daughter is 11 and has recently moved to high school in Year 7. She came home the other day and said her English teacher said they are going to be reading a book over the term which some children may find upsetting and if they wanted to leave the room at any point they may. My daughter came home concerned that the book might mention cancer. I emailed the school and told them what was happening with me and asked them to keep an eye on her as she will find it hard not having me at home - I also explained she was worried about this book and asked what is is about. The school emailed back saying they will check on her and the English teacher sent home the book for me to look at. It turns out it’s a book called, A monster calls” about a 13 year old boy who’s mom has cancer - the treatment isn’t working anymore and she dies!!! I don’t want my daughter reading this book, she is already quite fragile at the moment but don’t want her excluded from lessons as that will single her out and heighten her awareness of the situation. I want to try and keep everything as normal as possible for her and pulling her out of class will highlight the fact things are not normal. It’s not like it’s a fleeting moment in the book either - it’s the central theme throughout the whole book. I intend to contact the school to discuss this but would be open to hearing anyones thoughts.
Thank you
Hi 1980 and a warm welcome to this corner of the Community although I am always sorry to see folks joining us. I am Mike and I help out around our various Blood Cancer groups.
I don’t have Myeloma but I was diagnosed way back in 1999 with a rare, incurable but treatable type of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stage 4a so although my Blood Cancer ‘type’ is different I do appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.
Yes do contact the school and talk this through with them and also clearly explain the journey you will be on going through Stem Cell Transplant (SCT) and as to the support your daughter will need during this very challenging time.
I actually have had two Allo (donor) SCTs so know the process very well and yes my granddaughters were not allowed into the SCT unit… and this was before Covid times.
Can I suggest you come over and join our dedicated Stem cell transplant support group. Put up a post and introduce yourself to the group as you will connect with others who have navigated the SCT journey.
I will keep an eye open for you ((hugs))
