Let me tell you my 7-Tweet #metastatic #cancer life stage story: I was diagnosed days after turning 50--neither young (tho my oncologist called me young for my diagnosis) nor old. I had children, a husband, plans, a life. My kids were pre-teen and teenagers. 1/
There was nothing (nothing! no books, no support groups, I was too old for YSC and I didn't fit well with the older group either). Just yesterday at #SABCS19, the evening educational program about #metastaticBC over the lifespan excluded anyone who had been a parent of teens...2/
during her diagnosis. This is my #cancer. Teens are trying to sort themselves, to find their place in the world; in short, to separate from their parents. If you think a mom (or dad) getting a Stage IV diagnosis while kids are teenagers doesn't ef up their growth, I'm here 3/
to tell you it requires finesse and constant care to find a way through with them. I remember telling my oldest, who was 17 when I was diagnosed, that #cancer wasn't going to kill me, but of course she immediately went online and googled everything about mets. I was broken, 4/
emotionally empty at that time. I could only try to get on with each day. I am so far beyond grateful for the teachers, friends, other adults who stepped in and helped her and my other daughter. Over time, as I kept on living, my 3 kids and I experienced a lot of the usual 5/
teenage issues but I knew we couldn't let things just "be" because what would happen if I suddenly became much worse and they didn't have a chance to really express their love without feeling guilty or what if they hadn't completed that separation because they needed to remain 6/
as close to me as they had been when they were younger? & many other ??? I urge you to take a look at the experiences of every life stage when talking about Stage IV cancer, to be open to others' pain regardless of where you are now. #strongertogether (end)
