Telling the kids...??!?!
Hi again Pink Sisters.
I'm heading in for double mastectomy this Thursday. I've previously posted a question re swimming post Latissimus Dorsi flap reconstruction - I'm just a few days away fr...
Forum Discussion
Hi Jenny,
Good luck! All will be fine...just a little adjusting to deal with!!
I was lucky and only had a lumpectomy. But my kids had only just turned 3, 6 and 8. I found being honest was the best, because what we didn't tell them, at school or child care they would hear or imagine much worse! Our 6 year old just wanted to know that I was going to be alright....didn't really care what was going on, just needed reassurance. I went into a deep and meaningful chat about having breast cancer and going into hospital and asked if there were any questions...our 6 year old just looked at me and said "so...you need to have a boob operation to stay alive...ok then!"...mm...so simple huh!? Our 3 year old...had no idea of what was going on...but was totally intreged with bandages and scars and mum hugging her "boob" pillow for weeks on end. In fact the bandages and scars were quite good in the recovery phase because the younger ones to physically see they needed to be gentle.
6 months on...the younger two every now and then will ask what the scar is...and I have to remind them. I think you will be surprised at how quick they accept that this is just how you are from now on.
Did you ever get given a cancer council booklet on talking to your kids? It was fabulous.....let me know if you want me to find the real title etc if you are interested.
Good luck...sending love and best wishes x