As a caregiver to a Rainbow pediatric oncology patient, you may already know that Rainbow provides the most advanced care to your child or young adult.  From the disciplines of medicine to social services and therapy, you can be assured your child is in good hands.

But often, there is one component missing and that is connection.  Connection to others who know how you feel, such as parents and caregivers who are in the process of caring for their children.  Or to those who have completed the journey and can offer reassurance.

Research shows that having a way to express your emotions can be very therapeutic.  So whether you keep a journal, or post a message or two on this board, we hope you can find some connection with yourself or others as you travel this often difficult journey. 
(If you are interested in keeping a journal, ask a nurse or social worker for a complementary guided journal created just for you by University Hospitals Case Medical Center.)

We have listed a few ideas to help get you started:

• List ways you can take care of yourself and write about how they will help you care for your loved one.
• Write about your biggest fear and ways you can imagine coping with this fear.
• Write about what “living in the moment” means to you.
• Write about what this experience can teach you.
• Name a particularly strong emotion and how you are dealing with it.  Try to end your prose with a positive statement.
• List ways this experience has impacted your relationship with your spouse/partner and how to make it better.