https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:25:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-friends-child-diagnosed-with-leukaemia#post-2919491 Sat, 10 Oct 2020 20:32:04 +0000 foodiebee 2919491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry about all of this. Your emotions remind me of when a close friend of mine received a cancer diagnosis. I felt so helpless but desperate to do something. I can second the Marco Polo app suggestion above. It was a lifesaver for us while she went through treatment from afar. I'll be thinking of you all. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-friends-child-diagnosed-with-leukaemia#post-2919486 Sat, 10 Oct 2020 16:01:38 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2919486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@muffinsmuffins: My aunt set up the GoFundMe for us after a week or so when it became apparent that it was going to be a long journey (DH took a 6 month leave after we got home to care for DS). She was the one that communicated it out to a group of family and close friends who then spread the word to others. I was VERY uncomfortable asking for financial support from anyone so I'm glad she took the lead.</p> <p>I was shocked and amazed at the number of people that contributed. I think it was a good option for people who wanted to help but didn't know how. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-friends-child-diagnosed-with-leukaemia#post-2919477 Fri, 09 Oct 2020 21:31:38 +0000 Ms.Mermaid 2919477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@muffinsmuffins: supplying her kid with an endless assortment of wigs and hats and hair wraps in fun patterns might take some of the weight off your friend?<br /> I really like the Marco Polo app for this kind of thing - you can be “there” for her but it doesn’t require a response and she can just update you without typing anything out or calling. When we were going through our diagnosis process for my LO, I had a friend who I could just polo and be like, “had another appointment” and fill her in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-friends-child-diagnosed-with-leukaemia#post-2919475 Fri, 09 Oct 2020 21:17:24 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2919475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Grace: so glad your sister had a good outcome! Thank you for your story.</p> <p>@Jess1483: The pick me ups sound great! I think that after the first few days the flurry of support will die down so I’ll make a point to keep sending things. Great idea about the videos.</p> <p>@MrsSRS: right now all I can think is to throw money at this! House cleaner and groceries would definitely be something I would appreciate.</p> <p>@Bluemasonjar: I’m sorry you guys had a long haul in the hospital. How did you feel about the gofundme? Did it take a bit to come around to it? Did you have it set up quickly? I’ve planted the idea and my friend thinks it’s a good idea but feels weird about asking for financial help. She is planning a leave of absence from work and because it’s a far drive to the hospital, and their younger son is in speech therapy, I know it’s going to add up very soon for them...I would love to start one ASAP but I don’t want to push it.</p> <p>@poppygirl15: you inspired me to amazon some stuff for the little guy that will arrive tomorrow! Thanks!</p> <p>@woodentulip: Thank you for the kind words and I’m sorry you’ve be through similar. I totally forgot about the home maintenance. Looks like dad will probably be back and forth most and mom staying there so helping him will be great too. Parking adds up too so I’ll look into a pass for them.</p> <p>@Pollywog: this is what is stressing me out the most as well. Unfortunately we are 3.5 hrs away and he just started kinder weeks ago. Grandparents are thankfully in their town so caring for him til dad comes home this weekend. </p> <p>Thank you everyone. I just can’t believe we were relaxing at a cottage with them 8 weeks ago having a great time and now they are in the hospital in the middle of a pandemic starting chemo for a 6yo and talking about how to manage her losing her hair. I’m donating blood in her honour on my birthday in a couple weeks as she has benefited from transfusions over the past day. Good reminder for us to all consider donation! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-friends-child-diagnosed-with-leukaemia#post-2919474 Fri, 09 Oct 2020 19:29:12 +0000 Pollywog 2919474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What must be so stressful for her is who can watch her younger child. Could you offer to have him stay with you for a few days so she can focus on her older kid? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-friends-child-diagnosed-with-leukaemia#post-2919471 Fri, 09 Oct 2020 17:41:56 +0000 woodentulip 2919471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A friend went through this with a child the same age (also in Canada). My heart goes out to your friend and her family, and especially their little one as they navigate this.<br /> I will say that for our friend, what she most appreciated was assistance and gifts for her other child, gift cards for hospital or local food options (especially what is in the hospital), help with parking (we had another friend who was able to provide them a parking spot nearby to the hospital so that was a big help). And then help for their house--covering snow removal, leaf raking, etc. Basically anything we could do to help carry the burden outside the hospital so they could focus on the burden inside.<br /> ...our friend's son is now finished with treatments and things are looking great...and I look forward to the day your friend is able to say the same &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-friends-child-diagnosed-with-leukaemia#post-2919470 Fri, 09 Oct 2020 15:21:58 +0000 poppygirl15 2919470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m so sorry to hear this. Beyond what has already been discussed, a GC to Amazon is they can buy whatever they need might be appreciated. I’d also suggest a gift for the sibling. Something she could play with all on her own so it gives the parents some time when they don’t have to care for her, too. Even if it’s as simple as a reusable sticker book </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-friends-child-diagnosed-with-leukaemia#post-2919466 Fri, 09 Oct 2020 11:22:17 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2919466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DS spent 6 weeks in the hospital. Everyone deals with things differently but I appreciated friends who checked in regularly and were patient with my replies letting me steer the conversation.</p> <p>A few people sent care packages with a blanket, toys for DS, snacks. All were appreciated to brighten our days.</p> <p>There was a meal train set up so we had dinner delivered to the hospital nightly which was a great treat and our only break as we stepped away during shift change. A Gofundme was also nice to take one concern off our plates so we could focus on our son and not worry about missed work.</p> <p>Before coming home a friend did a basic grocery shop for us and stocked the fridge and others came over and cleaned our house. Both things you could outsource that made our homecoming easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-friends-child-diagnosed-with-leukaemia#post-2919464 Fri, 09 Oct 2020 09:40:17 +0000 MrsSRS 2919464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know how much financial wiggle you have, but arranging a house cleaner to do their house now so it's clean when they return is a good idea. If they left suddenly and are all at the hospital/hotel, someone needs to clean out their fridge and manage a neighbor to handle mail. Maybe consider mailing a weekly letter. Like a paper one. It would be something consistent for her to look forward to. You could just write chatty things and include a gift card or sheet of stickers for the little one or a funny picture. Just something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-friends-child-diagnosed-with-leukaemia#post-2919463 Thu, 08 Oct 2020 21:07:59 +0000 Jess1483 2919463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How sad and scary. This isn't exactly the same (thankfully) but I did have a friend whose 6 year-old died suddenly of a brain bleed about a month after they moved away. It was so difficult to figure out how to support and be there for them when I was so far away. I did donate to a gofundme set up in their name. Beyond that, I just texted every once in awhile, making clear that I was thinking about them and there for them in any way they needed, but also completely understood if they needed space or just plain didn't have the energy to text me back or anything. I think I told them I would keep reaching out, but expected no response from them at all--they could simply let me know if/when they needed anything from me (in your situation, I might offer more concrete help instead of asking if there was anything I could do--I think there are more ways you could help than I could, and I know it's less mentally exhausting to hear "can I do XYZ for you" than "what can I do for you?" </p> <p>In this situation, I think sending pick-me-up surprises to the hospital for all family members would be greatly appreciated. Maybe cheerful video messages (rather than video chats, or in addition to, so they can watch at their leisure). If it could be helpful down the road, maybe hiring a cleaner for their home or providing something for the younger sibling would be appreciated.</p> <p>I hope you find meaningful ways to support your friend, and that her son gets the treatment he needs. Prayers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-friends-child-diagnosed-with-leukaemia#post-2919462 Thu, 08 Oct 2020 21:05:25 +0000 Grace 2919462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sucks. My sister had acute leukemia when she was in her early 20s. There are 2 different kinds depending on which cells are cancerous, so don’t know if it’s the same one. Anyways, the treatment can be really rough, but the younger you are, the higher the chance of survival. I think it’s in the 90s for kids. So help them in whatever way you can (meals, clean house, anything to be helpful) but know that after this horrible time, the odds are likely that it will be ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-friends-child-diagnosed-with-leukaemia#post-2919461 Thu, 08 Oct 2020 20:11:02 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2919461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am devastated. My best friend that I’ve know my entire life’s 6yo child was diagnosed with acute leukaemia this morning. Our kids are the same age, 2 months apart. There’s more tests and plans for treatment to come tomorrow but it’s official. I feel helpless.</p> <p>I live 3.5 hours away from them and they were airlifted to the children’s hospital last night where they will be for the next month or more. The hospital is 5-6 hours away from me. They have a younger child as well who is almost 4.</p> <p>Has anyone been through this? I’m trying to tell her I’m here for her anytime she needs but also give her space because she’s overwhelmed. I don’t want to bother or force her to keep talking about it but I’m also desperate to do something. Our group of friends pooled funds and sent them dinner in the hospital tonight and purchased some gifts to deliver this weekend. It’s going to be a huge financial and logistical nightmare so I thought to start a gofundme as well but I don’t want to broadcast anything until they’re ready. We are in Canada so lucky that way. </p> <p>We have one of those relationships where we can go weeks without talking and we pick right back up. We had been texting a lot the past week as her child was having strange symptoms and she was so worried so I’ve been along closely through the progression. I just don’t know what to do. </p>