Make a Wish =)

Make a Wish Foundation is a charitable organization that fulfills the wishes and dreams of children from ages 3 to 17, fighting life threatening medical conditions. They have offices in most of the countries including U.A.E., Australia, Canada, UK, South Africa, Singapore etc. There are four major steps to granting a wish to a child

1. Referral

Referral sent by medical personnel, parents or even the children themselves are taken into consideration, given that they haven’t received any wish from any other wish granting programmes and that they children being referred, to be above the age of 2.5 and below 18years.

2. Eligibility

The referred child must be suffering from a life threatening illnesses to have a wish fulfilled. They contact the child’s treating physician to determine the condition of the child.

3. A wish team is sent to the child who helps him/her find out what they want fulfilled the most, by exploring their imaginations and dreams.

4. The wish teams then work towards creating the most unforgettable occasions, driven by the child’s enthusiasm and which enhances the lives of everyone taking part in the process.

“Make-A-Wish makes a huge difference in kids’ lives. When there isn’t a cure, there is still something positive in their lives to look forward to.”

- Joanne, Primary Children’s Medical Center Social Worker

Reference:

http://www.wish.org/about/how_we_grant_wishes

Chemotherapy and Its Side Effects

Kids don’t get cancer very often. And many of those who do get it can be treated and cured. Common cancer treatments include chemotherapy, which means getting anti-cancer drugs through an IV, and radiation, which means powerful energy waves (like X-rays) are used to kill cancer cells. Surgery also might be done to remove tumors. And in some cases, such as leukemia, a bone marrow or stem cell transplant might be done to help a kid be healthy again.

PROBLEMS AFTER/DURING CHEMOTHERAPY

The most common problem when dealing with cancer is the oral hygiene. The children will have to rinse their mouth frequently. It would be better if they could regularly brush, and rinse with baking soda and water or luke warm salt water. It would be best to avoid commercials mouth washes as it worsen the already irritated mouth.

Possible Side Effects:

Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to the head can result in various side effects but temporarily, especially when coming to taste and smell. They would like to have their meals either cool or at room temperature. The best would be to try a variation of meals, or drinks (trial and error method).

Poor eating habits: It is common for the child to change their eating habits and incur loss of appetite when they are under medication. Parents should try to give the child small, nutritious snacks, and also carry with them the same which can handy so that when your child does get hungry. The following tips too might come in handy:

• Try to make mealtime an enjoyable experience and praise a healthy appetite or good eating habits.
• Keep your child’s mouth clean with regular rinsing and brushing.
• Provide high-calorie, high-protein foods to help your child make the most of each snack or meal.
• Let your child help you shop and prepare the foods.
• Avoid arguing, nagging, or punishing a child who is unwilling to eat.

Constipation: Medications, changes in eating habits and decreased physical activity can cause constipation and infrequent bowel movements. If the introduction of high in fibre eatables does not help ease the condition, then their doctor might recommend them some medicines which will help them bring their bowel movements back to regular, if not back to normal. However, if the problem is caused by chemotherapy, then it would do better if the child was put on low-residue diet than a high fibre one.

Diarrhoea : Radiation therapy to the pelvic area, bowel surgery, or certain types of chemotherapy can cause diarrhoea. If your child has diarrhoea, try to avoid the below mentioned type of foods:

• High-fiber foods, such as nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, dried fruits, and raw fruits and vegetables
• High-fat foods, such as fried and greasy foods, as they can promote diarrhea
• Gassy foods and carbonated beverages. Be sure to have your child sip on fluids throughout the day to prevent dehydration.

Once the diarrhoea has stopped, slowly reintroduce fibre-containing foods to your child’s diet.

Sore or Irritated Throat and Sores in Mouth : Some kinds of chemotherapy or radiation to the head and neck area can cause a sensitive mouth, mouth sores, or a sore throat. Provide the child with warm, soft, bland foods and lukewarm or cool foods can be soothing. Ice cream, milk, home made drinks or shakes too should be provided to the child frequently, which have high protein and calorie levels. Foods that can cause further drying like, tarts, salty or acidic drinks should be avoided, as well as spicy food.

Difficulty in Swallowing : Cancer occurring in the head, neck, and throat, or surgery or radiation therapy in these areas, can sometimes cause difficulty with swallowing. If your child has this problem, give him or her soft, liquid, easy-to-swallow foods. Again food and drinks that contain high proteins and calories should be served.

Nausea and Vomiting : Some kinds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the abdominal area can cause nausea and vomiting. If your child experiences these side effects, be sure to encourage him or her to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Have the child sip water, juices, sports drinks, fruit drinks, and other clear calorie-containing liquids throughout the day. Clear cool liquids are usually better tolerated than very hot or icy liquids.

References: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/content/MBC_6_2X_Possible_Side_Effects_7.asp?sitearea=MBC

http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/cancer/cancer_kinds.html

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When Your Child Goes Back to School

The most important thing is to establish contact with your ward’s teacher, and keep her updated from the time your child has been diagnosed to remission. You will have to provide them details about the treatments they are undergoing, medication they are taking and the anticipated leave of absence. When your child actually starts going to school, it is important that the school nurse are briefed about the details too, including contact details and whom to contact in case he/she feels ill at school.

Another good thing might be to talk to your child too, prepare your child on how to answer questions that his classmates might have regarding his illness.

It might also be helpful if the parent along with child, the teachers and the nurse could attend the school re-entry programs that some hospitals keep. This meeting briefs everyone present about what is required to help the child when he/she returns to school, any special requirements that he child might need, and how will they be going about helping the child adjust back to the school environment.

Communication Is the Key:

The first step is to talk with your child’s teacher about the cancer. A teacher needs to know the type of cancer, any treatment the child may be receiving, the anticipated reactions to the treatment, and how long an absence you expect. You will need to keep these lines of communication open as the school year progresses, for the benefit of both the teacher and your child. Including the school nurse in these discussions is also helpful as the nurse may be called upon should the child feel ill at school.

Talk with your child about returning to school and try to anticipate any questions his peers may have about his cancer. Explain to your child that his friends may not understand much about cancer and might say and ask some strange things. Some typical questions are: “What is cancer?”, “Are you going to die?”, “Can I catch it?”, and “Can you still play?” Review with your child how to answer these questions.

Some hospitals and schools have a school re-entry program, where a school liaison meets with the child and family, finds out what help is needed for the child to return to school, contacts the school, and sets up meetings to inform staff of any special needs of the child. In the meeting, a social worker or nurse will talk with the teachers, parents and child about how to help the child adjust to being in school again.

Reference:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_When_Your_Child_Goes_Back_to_School.asp

Types of Childhood Cancer

Leukemia is the most common type of cancer kids get, but it is still very rare. Leukemia involves the blood and blood-forming organs, such as the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the innermost part of some bones where blood cells are first made. A kid with leukemia produces lots of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow.

Usually, white blood cells fight infection, but the white blood cells in a person with leukemia don’t work the way they’re supposed to. Instead of protecting the person, these abnormal white blood cells multiply out of control. They fill up the bone marrow and make it hard for enough normal, infection-fighting white blood cells to form.

Other blood cells – such as red blood cells (which carry oxygen in the blood to the body’s tissues) and platelets (which allow blood to clot) – also get crowded out by the white blood cells of leukemia. These cancer cells may move to other parts of the body, including the bloodstream, liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. In those areas, cancer cells can continue to multiply and build up.

Brain and other nervous system cancers are the second most common cancers in children, making up about 22% of childhood cancers. Most brain cancers of children involve the cerebellum or brain stem. In early stages they can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurred or double vision, dizziness, and trouble walking or handling objects. Adults are more likely to develop cancers in different parts of the brain–usually the cerebral hemispheres. Spinal cord tumors are less common than brain tumors in both children and adults.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma, (sometimes called Hodgkin disease, Hodgkin’s disease, or Hodgkin’s lymphoma), are cancers that start in lymph nodes. These cancers may spread to bone marrow and other organs. They also can cause fever, weakness, and swelling of lymph nodes (“glands”) in the neck, armpit, or groin. Hodgkin lymphoma can occur in both children and adults, and accounts for about 4% of childhood cancers. It is more common, though, in 2 age groups: early adulthood (age 15 to 40, usually 25 to 30) and late adulthood (after age 55). Hodgkin lymphoma is rare before 5 years of age. About 10% to 15% of cases are diagnosed in children 16 years of age and younger.

Bone Cancers: The incidence of primary bone cancer (cancers that started in the bones) is highest in children and adolescents.

Primary bone cancer is different from metastasis bone cancer, which is cancer that has spread to the bone. Metastatic bone cancer is more common than primary bone cancer because many types of cancer can spread to the bone. There are 2 types of primary bone cancers that happen in children:

a) Osteosarcoma is uncommon, comprising a little over 2% of all new childhood cancer cases in the United States. It often causes no pain or symptoms until swelling starts.

b) Ewing sarcoma is a less common primary bone cancer that occurs mostly in children and adolescents. It accounts for a little more than 1% of childhood cancers.

Neuroblastoma is the most common form of cancer that affects children outside of the brain, and which occurs in the first year of life. It can develop anywhere in the body, but most of the time in the abdomen area. It represents almost 7% of cancer in children.

Wilms tumor affects either or both kidneys in children, commonly between the ages of 2 and 3. it can be recognised by swelling or lump in the belly area. Approximately denotes for 6% of childhood cancer.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a form of cancer where there is unusual soft tissue growth in children. The tumour stems from the cells that develop into voluntary muscles. It can occur in the head and neck, groin, chest, arms and legs. The common symptoms are pain and swelling.

Retinoblastoma is a cancer of the eye. Although relatively rare, it accounts for less than 3% of childhood cancers and about 5% of childhood blindness. It usually occurs in children under the age of 4.

References:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_are_the_types_of_childhood_cancers_7.asp

http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/cancer/cancer_kinds.html

The Stubborn Cells: Cancer Cells

The Stubborn Cells

Cancer is caused by a mutation (change) in a gene. During the past few years, scientists have made immense progress in understanding how certain changes in a person’s DNA can cause cells of the body to become cancerous. DNA carries the instructions for nearly everything our cells do. We usually resemble our parents because they are the source of our DNA. However, DNA affects more than our outward appearance. It influences our risks for developing certain diseases, including some kinds of cancer. When children are born with mutated DNA that was inherited from parents, the mutations are present in every cell of the child’s body. That means the mutations can be detected by testing DNA of blood cells.

The great majority of cancers, however, are not caused by inherited DNA mutations. They are the result of mutations acquired early in the child’s lifetime. Every time a cell prepares to divide into 2 new cells, it must copy its DNA. This process is not perfect, and errors sometimes occur. Fortunately, cells have repair enzymes that “proofread” DNA. Some errors can still slip past, particularly when the cells are growing rapidly. This kind of gene mutation can happen at any time in life. Acquired mutations start in one cell of the body, and that cell passes the mutation on to all the cells that spring from it. These acquired mutations are present only in the patient’s cancer cells and will not be passed on to their children. Although the causes of mutations responsible for certain adult cancers are known (for example, cancer-causing chemicals in cigarette smoke), the reasons for DNA changes that cause childhood cancers are not known. Some of these can occur in developing fetuses and are already present at birth.

Reference:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_2X_What_are_the_risk_factors_and_causes_of_childhood_cancer_7.asp

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