#007 Stephanie‘s Story of Parenting Through Childhood Cancer

CW: Childhood Cancer, PTSD

Episode Description

In this episode, Jen and Tesha talk with Special Guest, Stephanie Reid. Stephanie’s daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia at age 2. After her treatment and recovery, Stephanie found her entire family was still struggling, while everybody else moved on.

Topics Discussed

(0:00) Introductions: “Talking is huge step to healing”

(2:00) Stephanie's story: Her daughter, Keaton was diagnosed with cancer at 2 years old. The treatment and recovery took its toll on the family. After Keaton was finished treatment, Stephanie was surprised to discover how much work still needed to be done to put herself and her family back together.

“Life stands still from that moment of hearing, “Your child has cancer.””

(7:26) Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Stephanie was later diagnosed with PTSD, and discusses her symptoms, triggers, finding a therapist, and how COVID-19 has brought back a lot of these feelings

“I just wish that somebody had been watching me, as closely as I had been watching Keaton”

(23:50) Mom Guilt: Stephanie talks about feeling guilty about things that were missed, feeling responsible for her daughter's cancer, guilt of leaving one child to be in the hospital with the other child.

“It still really hurts to think about”

(28:30) Wanting to be seen: Jen, Tesha, and Stephanie discuss just wanting to feel acknowledged, wanting to know that our feelings are normal, wanting somebody that could relate.

(34:14) Moving Forward: Stephanie talks about fInding your people, going back to doing regular things, and learning to advocate for families dealing with Childhood Cancer.

(41:51) The Next Chapter: Stephanie is going back to university, to become a social worker, and wants to work with parents and children that have been affected by cancer.

About Stephanie Reid:

“Your child has cancer.”

Unfortunately, I have heard those words. Those words have devastated me and taken me to a place I hope to never be again.

My name is Stephanie and I am a mom to two beautiful girls. One is a cancer survivor and the other is a survivor of the horrible effects of childhood cancer. While I would take the cancer from my daughter in a second, I hope to never lose sight of what her cancer has taught me. Cancer tried to take my daughter, it tried to take my marriage, my self worth and my mental capabilities. Cancer will try to destroy anything and everything it can, which is why, through my stories, I hope to show not only my daughters but other parents who might be faced with those 4 devastating words that sometimes there can be some amazing lessons learned when you are faced with the most traumatizing circumstances.

Stephanie can be found on Instagram @messyhair_sandyfeet

Links for more information:

Childhood Cancer: https://www.childhoodcancer.ca/

PTSD: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967

Want to be a guest on the show?
Email: nowwhat.podcast.info@gmail.com

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