Playing to your strengths

Talking to a child about a parent’s, grandparent’s, or sibling’s cancer and how it will affect the family isn’t easy, but it is necessary. My book can help. It includes tips for talking with children about a family member’s cancer and treatment. It also suggests ways to help children cope with some of the feelings they may experience during this time.

By talking with your children honestly and helping them express their emotions, you make it easier for them to feel safe and secure. And as their parent, you are the best judge of how to talk to your children. But the first conversation about cancer is often the hardest. The information in my book will help you start that conversation and give you the tools to keep it going every step of the way.

What are your plans for helping other parents connect with their child using the power of your story?

I would like to raise awareness campaigns, book launches, audio books, encourage parents to read evening and mornings, writing articles, inspiring others to talk and share their own stories. Actually, I am working on a new project together with BYP TV and few media partners, to help child cancer patients to write their own book, have lots of fun along the way. We are launching their books at The Stardust Awards in London at the end of October. I know there are a lot of people who volunteer for helping children who are diagnosed with cancer but I want to give them the experience of writing and publishing their own story, create their own legacy and being part of an exciting project of their own.

What Changes have you experienced since giving yourself the gift of sharing?

Sharing experiences is important to spiritual growth. You benefit not only from hearing the experiences of others, but from sharing your own experiences. Although none of us may like the idea of sharing details about times when we were discouraged or when we were a discouragement to others, these are important confessions for us to make.

When you are feeling stressed in your situation, your cortisol goes through the roof to deal with the stress. The cortisol makes it difficult to think, put things in perspective and consider your options. The antidote for elevated cortisol is oxytocin, which is another hormone related to bonding, closeness and feeling less alone. When you express your feelings – fears, anger, disappointments, etc. – and feel others genuinely empathizing, caring and showing compassion towards you, your oxytocin goes up and your cortisol goes down.

And when that happens, you begin to feel less alone and then you feel relief, hope and your ability to think and consider options – including learning skills that you didn’t think you could learn – come back.

So, share what you’re feeling, show empathy and compassion towards each other, and together you will all make it through whatever difficult times you’re going through.

What is your solution?

They say you have to fight some bad days to earn the best days of your life. My solution is to read my own book, called ‘The Monster in Mummy’ which shows exactly how it can be done with ease.

Life is so very precious and I do hope you find some inspiration from my journey to keep going, no matter what life throws at you – Love to you all!