My son is almost a year OT and doing well. I have been wondering when/if to tell him about possible long term effects. He is 14. I am talking about possible sterility, heart issues, secondary cancers....things that could come about later in life. I don't want to worry him but would feel guilty if something comes up and I kinda was prepared but it came at him out of no where. He knows he needs to be careful because of AVN and low bone density. Of course, I think about the far future, he is married and wants to have kids---oops! doesn't work. But then I think why worry him for nothing. Why tell him and then have the possibility of risky behaviour. He should know--right??? When and how? What do your kids know? I know it is only a small chance of sterility but this is the one that sticks with me. At the beginning of treatment, I spoke with Onc about it and because my son was treated on a very high risk protocol with radiation--it is a real risk. Secondary cancers and other damage can be checked for and monitored and I feel these things can be brought up casually. I guess the sterility is my big question.
Just curious,
Nana
Nana,
Does he go for annual follow-up visits? If so, I'd have the oncologist discuss it with him.
I have no idea Nana, but have the same questions/concerns as you. I like Kim's suggestion, as they could field questions from him better than we could as well.
Kim and Tonya,
I thought of asking Onc to talk with him, we still go every 2-3 mths. But as wonderful as our Onc are, they are just so concerned with today that talking about future what ifs is not their strong suit. We don't have a survivor clinic anywhere near us-so we go to clinic. I also don't think Jakob would ask questions quite yet. These concerns are mine and Jakob doesn't know he should have questions![]()
He should be told about this by a doctor before he is in the position where he might want to know. But I think 18 is probably OK. The doctor can ask him if he wants to be checked and then he can provide a sample and find out.
