Your Life Changes Forever

The moment your child is diagnosed with cancer changes your life forever. When your child has a life threatening illness, the whole family is profoundly affected. Each person copes in their own unique ways. The crisis may bring you together or tear you apart.

As parents, you may feel guilty you couldn’t protect your child. You may be angry at the medical establishment which often seems more concerned with its system than your child. You may be angry at God for letting this happen.

Caring for your ill child becomes all-consuming making it difficult to take care of your other children, continue working, attend to household responsibilities and still find a way to take care of yourself. Siblings may feel abandoned as you devote your time and attention to caring for your sick child.

You need extra help and support to manage during the worst times. The people you expected would help may stay away due to their discomfort. Well-meaning people who want to help may not know what to do. They may do things you find unhelpful.  People may inquire how you and your child are doing when you don’t want to talk about it. These situations can leave you in an uncomfortable position.

It can be extremely hard to set limits and take care of yourself in the face of your child’s critical needs. It’s crucial to find a way to nurture yourself so you can continue to take care of your child.

Even after treatment ends, life may seem to get back to “normal”. While other people may not see it, you may be aware that the traumatic effects of the experience may remain alive within you.

Davida on the CoachArt UpBeat Podcast: Recovery is a Process

Davida appeared on The UpBeat Podcast powered by CoachArt, an organization that creates a transformative arts and athletics community for families impacted by childhood chronic illness. During her broadcast, she shares insightful anecdotes around her daughter Nomi’s experience with cancer, and how her experiences led her to move the main focus of her psychotherapy practice to treat families impacted by cancer and other illnesses. Davida also offers tips and advice on how to get the most emotional and personal growth from a battle — something called “post-traumatic growth”

Listen to the podcast

How Davida can help

Davida provides individuals and couples the support necessary to face the trauma of cancer in their lives. She can help you navigate the many struggles that confront you throughout the treatment process. After treatment is completed, Davida continues to help you integrate the meaning and impact of this life changing event.

Cancer Support Group

This intimate support group allows you to share your whole range of experiences in a safe environment with other parents who understand. Some topics we may discuss include:

• The feelings that come up during all stages of treatment and recovery: fear, grief, anger, guilt, and hope
• The frustrations of dealing with the medical establishment and ways to cope
• Self-care including getting support and setting limits with well-meaning people
• Immediate and long-term effects on you and the family

This 1 ½ hours long Cancer Support Group meets weekly. The fee is $50.00 per meeting with a 8-session commitment required. A free intake interview is provided.