Caring for a Child With Cancer
- "90 Day Fiance" star Deavan Clegg is currently caring for her 4-year-old son Taeyang, who has a type fo cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
- With a touching video posted to Instagram, Clegg marked Taeyang”s one year anniversary since his diagnosis.
- Know there are many resources out there to turn to if you are caring for a child with cancer. One former caregiver told SurvivorNet taking care of a child with cancer requires "a lot of organizing and a lot of advocating."
- One of our experts says it's crucial for caregivers to make sure they take time for themselves.
- If you are struggling to pay your bills associated with cancer treatment, SurvivorNet has put together the financial resources that are available to you for help.
Even though it’s a “difficult day” for “90 Day Fiance Star” Deavan Clegg as she marks one year since her little son was diagnosed with cancer, she’s focusing on the positives and celebrating that it means he’s “one step closer to his recovery.”
Four-year-old Taeyang is the child of Clegg, 26, and her reality star ex Jihoon Lee, 28, who she appeared with on "90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way." And he’s been fighting for his life since he was diagnosed with a “very aggressive” type of cancer called B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, when he was 3.
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“Today marks the one year anniversary of Taeyang being diagnosed with cancer,” she wrote in her caption.
“Today is a difficult day for all of us. Reflecting back on the past year and all the trials it has brought. The past year our lives were turned upside down and shattered. Many days we thought we were going to lose our sweet boy.
“Although he isn't cured and is still battling this horrible disease. We know this anniversary marks one step closer to his recovery.”
Clegg went on to express how thankful she was for all of the support she’s received since the diagnosis. From cards, to outfits, to blankets, to donations, Clegg’s family, friends and fans have stepped up to support Clegg and Taeyang during their time of need.
Clegg had previously indicated that she had to stop her normal job to become Taeyang’s full-time caregiver. Because of this, she was having difficulty paying for his medical bills – something so many survivors and their families are familiar with.
If you are struggling to pay your bills associated with cancer treatment, SurvivorNet has put together the financial resources that are available to you for help.
“Because of you we were able to provide proper care for Taeyang during this difficult time,” she wrote. “I can't thank you guys enough and how much I appreciate every kind gesture.
“My heart feels warm and I know everytime we get a new card or even a message on social media … you guys help us push through. Thank you so much! One year down .. two more to go! We got this. Thank you all. #cancer #childhoodcancer #cancerawareness”
Caring for a Child With Cancer Like Deavan Clegg
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, like Deavan Clegg’s son was, it can feel extremely overwhelming trying to ensure they’re getting the best possible care. But know there are many resources out there to turn to if you are caring for a child with cancer.
If you’re wondering what you can do to ensure your child is getting the best treatment possible, consider the following recommendations from the National Cancer Institute.
- “Build strong partnerships” Communicate openly and honestly with your child’s care team. You want to build a solid relationship with the people treating your child so you feel confident asking any questions and discussing your child’s treatment path.
- “Take advantage of the many specialists who can help your child” There are many people who can help you and your child after the diagnosis arrives. Don’t hesitate to ask for specialists to help you and your child learn about their disease, understand how it will be treated and cope with difficult emotions.
- “If you get information online, make sure the source is credible” Doing your own research is a great way to advocate for your child, but it’s important you’re looking at reliable sources such as (but not limited to) the National Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Society of Clinical Oncology, among others. Talk to doctors about what you’re finding and don’t hesitate to get multiple opinions regarding your child’s treatment path.
- “Make sure you understand what your child's health care team tells you” You need to ask for clarification if something about your child’s diagnosis or treatment is confusing.
- “Keep your child's pediatrician updated” Make sure your child’s cancer care team is sending updates to their regular pediatrician.
In addition, know you’re not alone if you’re struggling with your emotions as you watch your child face cancer. Photographer Jayne Wexler, like Deavan Clegg, previously spoke with SurvivorNet about what it was like caring for a child with ALL.
"It's really hard to see your child going through this," she said. "If it can be me, I would take it in a second, you know.
"You just go on autopilot and you do what you have to do."
"I Try To Stay Strong, But Sometimes You Need To Cry": Playing The Role of Cancer Caregiver and Mom
Part of doing what she had to do required Wexler to do "a lot of organizing and a lot of advocating."
"You need to keep track of what's happening, because there's a lot of components to dealing with cancer," she said. "So, you don't have that much time for yourself.
"I try to stay strong, but then sometimes you just want to go and cry and you need to cry, and it's good to cry. But it's been a roller coaster."
The Impact of a Childhood Cancer Diagnosis on the Whole Family
Don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you’re feeling overwhelming while caring for a child with cancer. We
xler found that support from her family and therapy helped her immensely, and Julie Bulger, manager of patient and family-centered care at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, previously talked to SurvivorNet about how crucial it is for caregivers to make time for themselves while caring for a loved one with cancer.
RELATED: Patrick Dempsey's Advice to Cancer Caregivers: Take Care of Yourself, Too
"It is important to have some things that you can do outside of the focus of caring for somebody that you love with cancer," Bulger said.
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