Thyroid Cancer...?!
Question: Thyroid Cancer!.!.!.!?
My dad was just told he has Thyroid Cancer!. They are going to remove his thyroid and lymthnode and he was told he would have about a 95% survial rate!. As wonderful as it is to have such a high survival rate he will however most likely be unable to ever speak again!. What can we do to help him through this and how can we as a family communicate with him!?
Also, how to I help my little ones, (6,5,3,& 6 months), understand what is taking place with grandpa!. He's a fun loving 64 year old grandpa and they LOVE him so much! I just need them to understand why Grandpa isn't answering them without scaring them!.
Thanks in advance!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Also, how to I help my little ones, (6,5,3,& 6 months), understand what is taking place with grandpa!. He's a fun loving 64 year old grandpa and they LOVE him so much! I just need them to understand why Grandpa isn't answering them without scaring them!.
Thanks in advance!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
First of all, big hugs to your Dad and your family!. No matter how treatable the cancer is, it's still "The C word" and scary!.
A good way to explain to little ones is to be honest with them in an age appropriate way!. When I had my 4th surgery (I had mets throughout my neck and into upper chest) we told our almost 2 year old at the time "that mommy's body wasn't working right and we need to have the bad stuff taken out!. The bad stuff is called cancer!." We were careful to not use the word sick since that is a word that covers lots of ailments (colds, flu, chicken pox, etc) and didn't want to confuse him when he got a cold and sick!.
I would also be sure to tell the kids that Grandpa's voice might not be working so well and we'll have to find new ways to understand what he is saying, but he can still understand us so it's important to talk even when he can't answer!. A small white board may be a good way to help him communicate!.
A couple of good site you and your Dad may want to visit:
www!.livestrong!.org
www!.thyca!.org
LIVESTRONGWww@Answer-Health@Com
A good way to explain to little ones is to be honest with them in an age appropriate way!. When I had my 4th surgery (I had mets throughout my neck and into upper chest) we told our almost 2 year old at the time "that mommy's body wasn't working right and we need to have the bad stuff taken out!. The bad stuff is called cancer!." We were careful to not use the word sick since that is a word that covers lots of ailments (colds, flu, chicken pox, etc) and didn't want to confuse him when he got a cold and sick!.
I would also be sure to tell the kids that Grandpa's voice might not be working so well and we'll have to find new ways to understand what he is saying, but he can still understand us so it's important to talk even when he can't answer!. A small white board may be a good way to help him communicate!.
A couple of good site you and your Dad may want to visit:
www!.livestrong!.org
www!.thyca!.org
LIVESTRONGWww@Answer-Health@Com
Why wont he speak again!? I had thyroid cancer and my whole thyroid was takin and I can still talk!. I told my son that mommy had cancer and they were gonna make me better so I could live a long time for him and he was good with that! He was 6 at the time!. I still don't understand why he wont be able to talk unless they accidently touched his vocal chords or something!? If you have any questions on thyroid cancer feel free to e-mail me at summerresch@yahoo!.comWww@Answer-Health@Com