Paediatric tectal glioma

My 15 year old daughter has just been diagnosed with tectal glioma brain tumour after a whirlwind week of MRIs. She’s just had a drain put into her brain to help removed trapped fluid. Monday is the first multidisciplinary meeting to get the formal diagnosis for staging. How do other parents cope with new diagnoses while supporting their other children, while continuing to work full time and juggle hospital appointments? I’m a solo/single parent and I have no family to provide any kind of support emotionally or with my other children. Feeling totally overwhelmed. I’m also not sure how to tell my other teenagers - my youngest is 13. Advice welcomed. Thank you. 

  • Hello Emonty251124

    I'm very sorry to hear about your daughter's recent diagnosis of glioma. Undoubtedly this will have been a whirlwind of a week for you and it's understandable that you're feeling overwhelmed by things. 

    Hopefully, some of our other members will post to share their experiences and advice with you soon but in the meantime, I wanted to share the information we have on our website about talking to children about cancer. It may be helpful for you when talking with your other children. 

    I also wanted to give you the link to The Brain Tumour Charity particularly as they have a specialist support service for children and families in addition to a private support community for parents of children with brain tumours. Hopefully you will be able to connect with other parents there who can share their stories and advice with you as well. 

    If you would like to talk with one of our nurses at any point you're welcome to call them on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. I know they will be happy to offer any advice, information and support they can. 

    Keep in touch Emonty251124 if it helps to have somewhere safe to put down in writing how you're feeling, to ask questions or to chat with others. We're here for you and will do all we can to offer support and advice as you move forwards on this journey. 

    My best wishes to you all, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Hi Emonty,

    What a terrible position to find yourself in. Unfortunately, I cannot offer you any advice. I just want to let you know that I am thinking of you and willing you the strength to cope with this.

    Now that you have found this forum, you need never feel alone again. There is always someone here to support you.

    I hope that you will get more clarification in respect of staging after Monday's MDT meeting. Please keep in touch.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx