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Dealing with family and friends

Osteosarcoma will affect your family and friends in many ways. Your family and friends will be under extras stress, and there will be change in routine. It is important that you communicate openly with your family and friends about feelings and experiences, and help take care of each other's needs. Many young cancer patients find that their situation helps them learn to better communicate with and appreciate their family and friends, causing them to grow closer and feel more connected with them.

Tips for dealing with parents:

Take care of yourself and act like an adult. For example, if you remember to take your medicine, this will take some of the stress off your parents and you will feel more in control of your own life.

Be honest and tell your parents how you feel without getting angry. This will help your parents understand you better.

Listen to your parents. They may need comforting, too.

Apologize when you lose your temper or say something you regret.

Let your parents know that you care about them and appreciate their love and support. Simply hugging them or saying you love them will show them your gratitude.

Tips for dealing with siblings:

Telling your siblings about your feelings and listening to what they have to say can help. Your siblings may be having many feelings and not know quite how to react. They may be confused and not understand what is happening to you.

Play games and help each other with schoolwork. This may help them feel more included in your life, and also help you grow closer. They may be feeling angry about your parents spending less time at home, and may be jealous of the attention you get. So, encouraging your parents to spend time with all of you and giving them some attention may help.

You may find that your brothers or sisters irritate you more than normal, and you may also be jealous of siblings because they can go out with friends or play sports while you may be recovering from treatment. These are all normal reactions, especially since you haven't been feeling well. Just keep this in mind when you are having these feelings. Also, remember that they may also feel guilty about having fun when you are not feeling well.

Tips for dealing with friends:

When you are ready to talk to your friends, you may need to make the first move. You should tell them as much as you want and are able about osteosarcoma. You may want to tell more information to closer friends.

Be prepared that your friends may have many questions. They may know very little about osteosarcoma and may not be sure what to say to you. You may want to explain some of the physical changes that may result from your treatment and what they can do or say to make you feel better. Usually once you answer their questions, your friends will realize you are still the same person inside.

Your friends can be very helpful. They can remind you that there is life beyond hospitals and doctors and give you a break from dealing with your illness. After you have been in treatment for a while, you may also realize that you have good days and bad days. It may be best to do things with your friends on the good days.