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Dealing with school issues

As you probably know by now, osteosarcoma and your treatments may make you tired. You may just not feel well. Also, depending on whether and arm or leg was affected by the osteosarcoma, you may not be able to walk, write or type easily. This can all potentially interfere with your ability and desire to go to school.

Tips for dealing with school issues:

It is important that you attend school as much as possible. This will give you a chance to tell your friends what is happening in your life right now. It will also be an important part of your recovery and adjustment to life with osteosarcoma.

You may want to meet with your teacher or a tutor regularly to talk about your progress with treatment as well as schoolwork. If you get behind in a course, you may be better off to repeat the course later rather than pushing yourself when you are tired and not feeling well.

You may have problems learning information and concentrating that may affect your performance. There are special education therapies that may help you improve your memory and ability to concentrate. Also, you may want to meet with your teacher to write an Individual Education Plan (IEP) to accommodate your special needs. Such a plan may allow for extended time or shortened assignments when you return to school.

You may look physically different after your treatment. This may be initially shocking or strange to people. You should be prepared for people to stare or tease you at first, but they will get used to your physical changes and realize that you are still the same person.

When you return to school, you can expect that you will be faced with many questions from your classmates. They are just curious. It is up to you to decide what to tell.