5 min read
You've Just Been Diagnosed: First Steps
A calm, short list of what to do first when your child is newly diagnosed, before you feel ready for any of it.
If you are reading this in the first days after your child's diagnosis, take a breath. You do not have to understand everything at once, and you do not have to do it alone. Here are a few things that help families find their footing.
Find your social worker
Every pediatric oncology program has social workers whose job is to help families with the practical and financial side of treatment. Get their name and number early. They are your single best first connection to help.
Start one place for everything
Keep a single notebook or notes app for questions, names, medications, and instructions. The information comes fast, and one trusted place to put it all reduces the load on your memory.
Ask about money early
Asking about financial help is not a sign you cannot cope. It is the smart first move. Help exists for travel, lodging, meals, insurance, and lost income, and asking sooner usually means more of it is available to you.
Tell siblings something honest
Brothers and sisters notice when something is wrong. Age-appropriate honesty helps them feel safe, even when the news is hard.
You will not absorb all of this today. Bookmark it, and come back when you are ready for the next step.
Related help