How Family and Friends of a Child with Leukemia Are Affected
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
How Family and Friends of a Child with Leukemia Are Affected
In this blog post, I will be discussing how having a
child with leukemia affects family and friends. I will be using the family and friends of Lauren Turner to give examples of how they are changed. The goal is to enlighten others that are going through a similar situation. Discovering that a child has leukemia can bring the family and friends different types of stress, fear/shock, relationship changes, and increased responsibilities.
How does finding out that a child has leukemia bring stress to the family and friends? There are two main types of stress that can affect the family and friends. One of these types is emotional stress. As the patient transitions through the cancer diagnosis, the family experiences sadness and emotional stress based on how well the patient responds to treatment (Edens). The family and friends often struggle with taking care of the young patient, therefore causing them to stress emotionally. The other main type of stress is financial stress. Figuring out how to pay for all the leukemia treatments and hospital bills can become stressful for the family and friends. Kristie is not able to work because she has to be with Lauren. I'm sure they have less income but a lot of times at work we try to do fundraisers to help them (Ivey). High insurance deductibles and co-pays create financial stress for the family (Edens).
How does fear and shock affect the friends and family? Just the word cancer makes you very scared (Thompson). When a family member receives a diagnosis of cancer, the first feeling is shock that often leads to fear (Edens). The family and friends will be affected by the shock of the child being diagnosed with leukemia because their initial thoughts usually are "Why did this happen to me?" The family and friends can become fearful that they are going to lose the child. We can't be there to support the family; we can only be there through text or CaringBridge (Ivey).
How does finding out that a child has leukemia bring relationship changes for the family and friends? The effects of cancer on relationships with friends and family members vary widely, largely dependent on the closeness of each relationship ("Family Life"). When a tragedy like this strikes family and friends, it can either bring them closer together or pull them apart. I think it depends on how strong the family is to begin with (Ivey). Lauren's family has been brought closer together from this experience because they know they need each other now more than ever. "I think it has brought their family closer together. I think it makes us all love our families more and tell them everyday how much they mean to us because you never know when it will be your last (Thompson)." Although some friends and family members may distance themselves from you, others will surprise you with emotional and physical support throughout the illness ("Family Life").
How do the friends and family experience increased responsibilities when a child is diagnosed with leukemia? The responsibility increase for the friends and family can be physically and emotionally draining. As the sick child starts the invasive and often debilitating treatment, the family and friends are plunged into a new reality of immediately needing to be responsible for things that they never have been in the past ("Coping & Support Emotional Effects of Cancer Family/Friends & Their Emotions"). Some increased responsibilities the family and friends will face are:
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| Emotional Stress |
How does finding out that a child has leukemia bring stress to the family and friends? There are two main types of stress that can affect the family and friends. One of these types is emotional stress. As the patient transitions through the cancer diagnosis, the family experiences sadness and emotional stress based on how well the patient responds to treatment (Edens). The family and friends often struggle with taking care of the young patient, therefore causing them to stress emotionally. The other main type of stress is financial stress. Figuring out how to pay for all the leukemia treatments and hospital bills can become stressful for the family and friends. Kristie is not able to work because she has to be with Lauren. I'm sure they have less income but a lot of times at work we try to do fundraisers to help them (Ivey). High insurance deductibles and co-pays create financial stress for the family (Edens).
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| Connie Thompson and Jessica Ivey |
How does fear and shock affect the friends and family? Just the word cancer makes you very scared (Thompson). When a family member receives a diagnosis of cancer, the first feeling is shock that often leads to fear (Edens). The family and friends will be affected by the shock of the child being diagnosed with leukemia because their initial thoughts usually are "Why did this happen to me?" The family and friends can become fearful that they are going to lose the child. We can't be there to support the family; we can only be there through text or CaringBridge (Ivey).
How does finding out that a child has leukemia bring relationship changes for the family and friends? The effects of cancer on relationships with friends and family members vary widely, largely dependent on the closeness of each relationship ("Family Life"). When a tragedy like this strikes family and friends, it can either bring them closer together or pull them apart. I think it depends on how strong the family is to begin with (Ivey). Lauren's family has been brought closer together from this experience because they know they need each other now more than ever. "I think it has brought their family closer together. I think it makes us all love our families more and tell them everyday how much they mean to us because you never know when it will be your last (Thompson)." Although some friends and family members may distance themselves from you, others will surprise you with emotional and physical support throughout the illness ("Family Life").
 |
| Connie Thompson and Jessica Ivey |
How do the friends and family experience increased responsibilities when a child is diagnosed with leukemia? The responsibility increase for the friends and family can be physically and emotionally draining. As the sick child starts the invasive and often debilitating treatment, the family and friends are plunged into a new reality of immediately needing to be responsible for things that they never have been in the past ("Coping & Support Emotional Effects of Cancer Family/Friends & Their Emotions"). Some increased responsibilities the family and friends will face are:
- Finances (household and treatment costs)
- Caring for other siblings
- Supporting each other and the child with leukemia
- Keeping up a job
- Hosting fundraisers/benefits to help with finances
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| Walk/Run Fundraiser for Lauren |
Does anything positive come from having a child with leukemia? Most family and friends don't look at the positives that come from this experience. I believe this is because there are more negatives compared to the few positives. If the family and friends are optimistic, they can find the positives. "I think there are a lot of positives. I think it's brought a lot of people together and it's also made Kristie and Ritchie realize how many people love and support them (Thompson)."
Works Cited
Thompson, Connie. Personal interview. 21 Apr.
2013.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment for Children with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
In this blog post, I will be discussing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in children. The goal is to educate people of the causes, signs/symptoms, and
treatment for leukemia. Also, this blog will be going over the cost, process, and the side effects of treatment. I will be focusing on leukemia in children because my full blog is related to an eight-year-old named Lauren Turner that is suffering from
this type of cancer.
So, what is acute
myeloid leukemia? Acute myeloid leukemia is where too many immature white
blood cells are made (Caywood 1). The picture to the right shows the white blood cells in body of a patient with leukemia. This certain type of leukemia is rare for
children to have. Acute myeloid leukemia accounts for approximately 20% of
acute leukemia in children compared to 80% in adults (Mudaliar, and Agarwal 253).
In the case of Lauren Turner, she was one of the few children diagnosed with
this rare type of cancer.
What causes acute myeloid
leukemia in children? The exact causes are unknown. Although, Doctors do
know that medical conditions can help increase the chances of a child getting
AML. Genetic conditions that are inherited, like Down syndrome, can play a risk
factor. This doesn’t necessarily mean that every child with these genetic
conditions will get acute myeloid leukemia. Acute myeloid leukemia is said to
be the more common for children that have had either chemotherapy or radiation
as their treatment type. According to Izenberg, AML is the most common type of
secondary cancer in children who have previously undergone cancer treatment.
What are the signs
and symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia in children? Acute myeloid leukemia
can develop rapidly, which means the symptoms will also develop quickly. Common
symptoms of AML in children are frequent persistent infections, fever, unusual
bruising, bleeding, tiredness, breathlessness, paleness, and generally being
run down (“Childhood Leukaemia”). These symptoms can often be overlooked
because they are very general and common in other illnesses. Also, it is possible for a child with AML to
have lumps in the lymph nodes of the neck, underarm, or groin area. These lumps
of leukemia cells (called chloromas) can develop anywhere in the body
(Caywood 2).
What are the
different types of treatment are available for children with acute myeloid
leukemia? Protocols for AML are based on best practice for children
(Turner). Typically, treatment is broken down into two phases. The first phase
is used to kill cancer cells and try to get remission. “Remission” means that
there is no disease left in the body. This is what doctors try to achieve. The
second phase is used to remove the remaining leukemia cells. Chemotherapy can
be used to treat acute myeloid cancer. Chemotherapy is a combination of
anti-cancer drugs and is the main form of treatment for childhood AML
(“Childhood Leukaemia”). A bone marrow transplant was the type of treatment
used on Lauren Turner. This procedure involves destroying cancer cells and
normal bone marrow and immune stem cells with high-dose chemotherapy and then
reintroducing healthy donor stem cells into the body (Caywood 3). Lauren received a bone marrow transplant from her older sister, Hailey Turner, who
was a perfect match. After this transplant though, Lauren did get diagnosed
with acute myeloid leukemia for a third time. The doctors said the cause of
this could be that her sister was too close of a match for Lauren. This is important to keep in mind, because even with a transplant the cancer patient can relapse.
How much are bone
marrow transplants cost and how can others be involved? I interviewed Lauren's mother for more information on this topic because Lauren is about to have a second bone marrow transplant. The cost can be
approximately $400,000 or more depending (Turner). Also, the match has to be
between the ages 18-44. To see if you are able to give bone you must have a
cheek swab and the results will be back in 4-6 weeks. If some is a match, their
typing goes on the National Marrow Donor Program registry. That person stays on
the list until they are 61 years old or until a medical condition changes and
the person is no longer able to meet the criteria. People are matched with
their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type. If it matches the child with cancer,
then the person is called in for a physical and more lab work (Turner).
What are side effects of treatment? Cancer treatments will mostly likely have side effects. This is because while the treatments are killing the cancer cells, they can also damage some normal cells ("Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) in Children"). Some effects can include: hair loss, anaemia, weight loss, appetite loss, nausea, and vomiting.
If you know any child that has these symptoms or has been exposed to the causes described in this blog, you should inform them and make an appointment for the doctor to get
tested for leukemia. I hope this information helped anyone that had questions about the
causes, signs/symptoms, and different treatments available for children with
acute myeloid leukemia.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Lauren's Bone Marrow Video
This is a video about Lauren's bone marrow drive from Channel 9 News! This shows how Lauren's bright smile and happiness spreads to everyone around her. I figured this video would help you see a little more into the situation and might give great motivation to come out to support her this Sunday, February 24th. Here is a link to Lauren's newspaper article for those of you who would like to read more about the story.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Levine Children's Hospital
Lauren attends one of the greatest hospitals around here for children with special needs, Levine Children's Hospital. Levine's is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. This hospital is dedicated to caring for children from birth through young adulthood. Levine Children's Hospital leads the region in offering more than 30 specialized pediatric services. Below, there is a picture of the hospital that opened in October 2007 and currently has 234 beds for children. Lauren was able to meet professionals while staying in the hospital. To the right of this blog, is a picture of her with Steve Smith at Levine Children's Hospital. This can be very inspiring for the children as they are coping with cancer. Levine Children's Hospital is one of the most helpful places for a child with cancer, but it is not limited to just cancer either. This hospital is very friendly and looks at the bright side of every situation. They have special visitors that come by and visit the children. For instance, Cam Newton and Steve Smith have been there a few times to surprise the children. They do a terrific job at making the children feel at home. Levine Children's Hospital has different amenities too. They have a playroom, teen activity room, family kitchen area, and a interdenominational chapel that the children and family can participate in. Anyone can get involved with this hospital and donate or even email a child.
Levine Children's Hospital has many doctors and nurses that are currently doing whatever they can do to help Lauren overcome her leukemia. Below is a special video that Kristie Turner posted from Levine Children's Hospital that includes Lauren in it. This video in which the Levine Children's Hospital nurses are doing the Harlem Shake with Lauren Turner to make her hospital experience one to remember.
Works Cited
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Lauren Update!
Here is an important update on Lauren! For anyone interested in coming, we are hosting a bone marrow registry and a blood drive for Lauren. This will be help on Sunday, February 17th from 10:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. There will be a five dollar cover charge, but it will be worth saving a life. Here is the link to the invitation of Facebook. This link will help anyone put with directions and finding out more about the event. I will even post a picture of the invitation after this blog. For those of you who would like to attend, I posted the address below. Thanks for all helping out through this tough time. It is very important that we get a good turn out for this event.
Address:
Forest Pointe Church
196 YMCA Drive
Belmont, NC 28012
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Leukemia Changes a Life
My next blog is about a little girl that is held close to my heart. Her name is Lauren Turner and she is currently eight years old. She was diagnosed with AML leukemia just days before her sixth birthday. She is the strongest young girl that I have ever met. She overcame her cancer because her sister, Hailey Turner, was a perfect match for a bone marrow transplant.Last week, we found out that the cancer was back and they are currently not sure if another bone marrow transplant will work. Lauren is willing to keep fighting hard to overcome this hardship that has taken over her life. Her family and friends are struggling with the news. She has a Caring Bridge website if you want to learn more about her and her background story.
My purpose for this post is that I hope you all will pray for a quick recovery. I will keep you updated on her condition in my blogs. This information will come from my mom and her Caring Bridge website. Also, I posted a video below I made of this sweet girl to help the class see how strong Lauren is. I have faith in Lauren because she is a fighter.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Leukemia Strikes
Have you met someone whose life has been taken over by cancer? I have. In my future blogs, I will be introducing a serious disease that has affected a young, strong girl named Lauren. So, you might ask, what exactly is cancer? Cancer is a growth of abnormal cells in the body, that are uncontrollable. These cells can also be called malignant cells. Most people never find out what caused them to get cancer. Cancer is a very broad subject to stumble upon. So, in that case, I'm going to narrow down the topic in this blog to a special type of cancer called leukemia.
Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells. The white blood cells swarm the bone marrow and flood the bloodstream. Then, they are not able to perform their proper role of protecting the body against disease because they are defective. According to the National Cancer Institution, so far in 2013 in there are already 48,610 new cases and 23,720 deaths in the United States. In my blogs, I will be talking mainly about acute leukemia. This type is more rapidly developing than chronic leukemia.
Acute leukemia is also split into acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). AML has more to do with the muscles, while ALL has to do with the lymph nodes. This eight year old that is close to my heart, who I will introduce later on, was recently diagnosed again with AML. Approximately 60% of children with leukemia have ALL, and about 38% have AML.
In my next post, I will introduce you to someone that is very special to me. Also, below I will post some neat pictures that show you more about leukemia in the body.
Leukemia is cancer of the white blood cells. The white blood cells swarm the bone marrow and flood the bloodstream. Then, they are not able to perform their proper role of protecting the body against disease because they are defective. According to the National Cancer Institution, so far in 2013 in there are already 48,610 new cases and 23,720 deaths in the United States. In my blogs, I will be talking mainly about acute leukemia. This type is more rapidly developing than chronic leukemia.
Acute leukemia is also split into acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). AML has more to do with the muscles, while ALL has to do with the lymph nodes. This eight year old that is close to my heart, who I will introduce later on, was recently diagnosed again with AML. Approximately 60% of children with leukemia have ALL, and about 38% have AML.
In my next post, I will introduce you to someone that is very special to me. Also, below I will post some neat pictures that show you more about leukemia in the body.
Resource Links for Content and Pictures:
Thursday, January 24, 2013
My Blogging Purpose
For those of you who don't know me, my name is Leigha Thompson. My blogs are going to be introducing the public to leukemia and mainly focusing on AML (which I will get into more later on). I will be focusing on this because of an eight year old girl named, Lauren Turner. This girl has impacted my life a great deal. My mom and her best friend, Kristie Turner, have worked together for many years. Kristie is Lauren and Hailey's mother. Posted below is a picture of me and Lauren at my graduation party.
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