Key points from today’s guests:

Amy Ansley, treated for breast cancer

• Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer last fall and was treated at The University of Kansas Cancer Center.
• Among her other concerns, talking to this about her two young kids was a challenge. Her role as a school counselor and missing time at school for treatment also added to the complexity of what to communicate.
• One of her children went to a Turning Point summer camp where they focused on talking about cancer and it really helped him because he realized he wasn’t the only kid with a parent with cancer who was going through this situation.
• Her children had moments of confusion until she opened it up to them to ask questions and make it feel like a “safe space.”
• She is in remission and is going to regular check-ups and labs now.
• Amy has been overcome by the support of her family and the community and how they have helped her through this journey.
• She said the biggest thing is that the kids are going to remember is that you were there for them.

Dr. Anne O’Dea, breast medical oncologist; medical director, Breast Cancer Survivorship The University of Kansas Cancer Center

• It’s a fine balance between taking care of yourself and taking care of your family and worrying about the responsibilities you have.
• Children having the ability to ask questions provides important clarity about things such as cancer not being contagious, how treatment works, and what the process is.
• Kids associate doctors with pain, so it is important to create conversations around helping their parents.
• It is also important to create a space where kids feel comfortable talking to you.
• Don’t put this pressure on yourself to be perfect and never be tired and never cry. Ask for help. There are resources to help you through this.
• Amy has done a wonderful job explaining the situation to her children.

Annie Seal, children’s program director, Turning Point

• Turning Point provides individualized support to patients and caregivers through consultations and groups.
• It helps parents navigate how much information to provide children about cancer based on their age and developmental stage.
• Don’t be afraid of saying the wrong thing by saying nothing. Kids have to see that just because it’s hard doesn’t mean we don’t have to talk about it.
• Becoming emotional is OK when having these discussions.
• Just be there and be present for your children. We want them to know that we are there for them.

Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 8 a.m. is the next Open Mics with Dr. Stites. Could a good night’s sleep be the key to saving your heart? A CPAP machine is the answer for millions living with sleep apnea. We’re breaking down the largest study of its kind following people with those devices.

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