When to tell children

[jadco]

My mum has advaced pan C - liver and bowel and is due to start chemo this week - she lives very close by and my 4 children see her as their 'other' (aka more patient lol) mum.

Children's ages are 17,15(with aspergers), 8 and 3

Thanks in advance

[pauline]

Hi Jadco ,

when we first found out my dad had pc we were very honest with the children about thing and how bad things were I also have 4 children at the time 17 14 12 and 10 the 12 year old having learning disabilities . i found telling them what was going on and not hiding anything from them helped all of us along this bad road but you alone know your children the best and only you can decide when and what to tell them

thinking of you sending love to all of you

Pauline

[PCUK Nurse Jeni]

Hi Jadco,

I am sorry to hear that you mum has been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. It is always a difficult decision deciding when to tell children. I thought you might find it helpful to know that Macmillan Cancer Support have some very good information on talking to children about cancer, which includes a section on talking to children of different ages http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Livingwithandaftercancer/Relationshipscommunication/Talkingtochildren/Talkingtochildren.aspx

I also wanted to let you know that Pancreatic Cancer UK runs a Support Line where you can contact the Support and Information team for specialist information and support around pancreatic cancer you can contac the service at support@pancreaticcancer.org.uk

Kind regards

Anna