YOU DON'T HAVE TO DIE

Straightforward advice from parents-who-have-been-there on how to cope with childhood cancer. The Gaeses are parents of Jason, author of My Book for Kids with Cansur, written when the youngster, stricken at age six with lymphatic cancer, was recovering from the disease. Although details of the Gaeses' own story are included here, this is not simply another account of how one family dealt with cancer but, rather, a well-constructed guidebook, packed with practical advice for parents facing a similar ordeal. The Gaeses—writing with the assistance of Bashe (coauthor, That's Not All Folks!, 1988)—have covered just about every conceivable aspect of the situation. They draw on their own experience, mistakes and all, and supplement that with information gleaned from a variety of knowledgeable sources. Among the topics discussed are telling the child about his disease; talking about death; dealing with siblings, other family members, and doctors; handling insurance and financial aid; taking care of the child after the hospital phase is over; and working with the discipline and the school problems of the recovering child. The authors also provide data on types of childhood cancer and note appropriate sources for further information. Their checklists of potential side-effects of treatments are designed to reassure the anxious parent, and their dietary recommendations are clear and concise. There are guidelines for evaluating unproven and unconventional cancer- control treatments.. A confidence-inspiring sourcebook for stricken families.