Coping With the First Weeks After Diagnosis
Hearing that your child has cancer is one of the hardest moments a parent can face. Everything can feel overwhelming—your emotions, the information, and the sudden shift in your world. These first weeks are often filled with fear and confusion, but you do not have to walk through them alone. This guide is here to support you with simple, clear steps to help you breathe, understand what you're feeling, and take things one moment at a time. You are stronger than you realize, and we are here with you.
Emotions
The first weeks after a childhood cancer diagnosis can feel like a whirlwind of fear, confusion, and emotional overload. Many parents describe feeling shock, disbelief, fear of the unknown, anger, guilt, grief, and—sometimes even in the darkest moments—a surprising rise of strength they didn’t know existed. These emotions may come all at once or change from hour to hour, and that’s completely normal. This experience is overwhelming, and there is no “right” way to feel. As you process the news, grounding yourself in small ways can help: taking in information slowly, writing down questions and instructions, practicing simple breathing or sensory grounding techniques, stepping outside for a moment of air, and giving yourself permission to accept help from others. You don’t have to navigate every detail alone, and you don’t have to understand everything at once. What matters most is taking one step, one breath, and one moment at a time.
During these early days, gathering key medical information can help you feel more prepared and supported. Understanding your child’s diagnosis, the treatment plan, emergency contacts, medications, and available hospital resources can make the road ahead feel a little less uncertain. Just as important is building your support circle—those trusted people who can accompany you to appointments, help with siblings, bring meals, or simply sit with you when the weight feels too heavy. Your care team, including oncologists, nurses, therapists, child life specialists, and social workers, are also part of that circle and have guided many families through this journey. And beyond them, the Mighty Like Myles Foundation stands beside you, reminding you that you are not alone. You are supported. You are mighty.
How to Stay Grounded in the First Weeks
The first weeks after a childhood cancer diagnosis can feel like a whirlwind of fear, confusion, and emotional overload. Many parents describe feeling shock, disbelief, fear of the unknown, anger, guilt, grief, and—sometimes even in the darkest moments—a surprising rise of strength they didn’t know existed. These emotions may come all at once or change from hour to hour, and that’s completely normal. This experience is overwhelming, and there is no “right” way to feel. As you process the news, grounding yourself in small ways can help: taking in information slowly, writing down questions and instructions, practicing simple breathing or sensory grounding techniques, stepping outside for a moment of air, and giving yourself permission to accept help from others. You don’t have to navigate every detail alone, and you don’t have to understand everything at once. What matters most is taking one step, one breath, and one moment at a time.
During these early days, gathering key medical information can help you feel more prepared and supported. Understanding your child’s diagnosis, the treatment plan, emergency contacts, medications, and available hospital resources can make the road ahead feel a little less uncertain. Just as important is building your support circle—those trusted people who can accompany you to appointments, help with siblings, bring meals, or simply sit with you when the weight feels too heavy. Your care team, including oncologists, nurses, therapists, child life specialists, and social workers, are also part of that circle and have guided many families through this journey. And beyond them, the Mighty Like Myles Foundation stands beside you, reminding you that you are not alone. You are supported. You are mighty.
What Medical Information to Gather
Gathering essential medical information during the first weeks can help you feel more confident and prepared as you navigate your child’s diagnosis. Start by documenting your child’s diagnosis details, including the cancer type, stage or risk group, any relevant genetic markers, and the tumor’s location. Understanding these basics will make the treatment plan easier to follow. When meeting with your oncologist, ask about the types of treatment being used—such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, or immunotherapy—along with the overall timeline, the length of each cycle, expected side effects, and what symptoms should trigger an emergency visit. Having these answers written down gives you something solid to reference later, especially on days when overwhelm makes it hard to remember everything being said.
It’s also helpful to organize critical contact information so you can reach your care team quickly when questions or concerns come up. Save the direct phone numbers for your oncologist, nurse line, after-hours emergency line, and assigned social worker. Keep a dedicated medication list with dosages, timing, and pharmacy details—it will save time and reduce confusion during hospital visits. Lastly, ask your hospital team about additional resources such as child life specialists, mental health support, financial assistance programs, transportation help, and parking passes. These practical supports can make a meaningful difference in your day-to-day experience and help your family feel more supported throughout this journey.
How to Build Your Support Circle
Building a support circle can make an enormous difference during the first difficult weeks after your child’s diagnosis. Start with your immediate circle—the people you trust most. These are the friends or family members who can sit with you during chemo appointments, help care for siblings, drive you when you’re exhausted, or simply offer emotional comfort when the weight feels too heavy. Beyond them is your extended circle: the people who want to help but may not know how. Give them specific tasks—bringing meals, mowing the yard, cleaning the house, running errands, sending encouraging messages, or picking up medications. People truly do want to support you; sometimes they just need guidance on what would make the biggest difference.
Your support system also includes a group of professionals who walk this journey with families every day. Your medical support circle—oncologists, nurses, therapists, child life specialists, and social workers—has the experience and knowledge to guide you, answer questions, and help you navigate each stage of treatment. Never hesitate to lean on their expertise and their compassion. And beyond the hospital walls, the Mighty Like Myles Foundation stands with you as part of your wider community support circle. We are here to remind you that you are not alone, you are supported, and you are mighty.
A Special Message From Us To You
As you navigate these early days, remember that there is no perfect way to cope and no single path you’re expected to follow. What matters is that you keep taking each moment as it comes, giving yourself the same compassion you give your child. You are doing an extraordinary job in an unimaginable situation, and you deserve support, understanding, and care along the way. The Mighty Like Myles Foundation stands beside you—today, tomorrow, and through every step of this journey. You are not alone, and you are more mighty than you know.