Reconnecting With Family and Friends
If you've just finished a long hospital stay, you'll be excited to see all your
friends. But you may have a lot of questions. Like, "Will friends treat me the same?"
"Will I be able to keep up in class?" and "Will I be able to play sports again?"
You might have family concerns, too. How will brothers and sisters react? Will
parents be totally overprotective? And what if you have to depend on mom and dad more
than you'd like?
These feelings are perfectly normal. Most teens who've had long hospital stays
do get back into the swing of things just fine. All it takes is a little time and
patience.
Getting Into a Routine
In the hospital, you probably missed the everyday routines of home — everything
from hearing your alarm clock in the morning to catching the bus to getting called
to dinner. Routines, no matter how small, feel good because they help us structure
our lives. They let us know what to expect.
That's why it's a good idea to try to get back into a routine as soon as you can.
Going back to school will automatically help you do this, but there are other ways
too. For example, you can:
- begin to take on some chores at home (as long as you're physically able)
- start to take responsibility for your care like changing bandages or scheduling
your medicines
- keep track of your doctor visits
Setting some realistic expectations for yourself doesn't mean you can't accept
a little extra TLC now and then. That's part of the healing process too.
Going Back to School
You've probably spent a lot of time wondering what that first day back will be
like. It's probably best to expect that it will be both exciting and a little overwhelming.
Fortunately, there are people who can help make your transition back to school
easier. Once your return date is set, your health care team, along with you and your
parents, can work with your teachers, school nurse, school counselor, and principal
to determine what you'll need to be comfortable, safe, and successful at school.
You may find it best to ease into things. You can start with brief visits to school.
Or try a couple of days a week at first or even half days initially — whatever
works for you. For extra moral support, walk in with a friend those first few times.
Because cancer and its treatment can affect how you learn, think, feel, and act,
you may find that you need some extra help, especially at first. If you're having
any trouble with concentration, memory, or fine motor skills, let your parents and
teachers know so they can help.
Sometimes special accommodations can help — things like:
- special equipment
- extra time to complete assignments
- help with certain physical activities
- rest breaks built into the day
- tutoring
Don't be embarrassed if any of these things are recommended for you. They're meant
to help you succeed.
Your school can find ways to include you in activities, like sports or clubs. Talk
to your doctor about which activities are OK and which ones aren't. If some things
(like contact sports) aren't a good idea now, get involved in other ways, like keeping
score or acting as a coach's assistant. Ask about other activities you find interesting.
Don't let your desire to jump back in keep you from listening to your body. If
you're too tired to go to the coffee shop or mall after school, don't push it. Go
home and rest, and plan to join your friends on a day when you feel up to it.
If you aren't feeling well, or think you might have a fever, let your teacher or
school nurse know right away. Get in touch with a parent too. The sooner you deal
with a problem, like an infection, the better off you'll be.