Newcastle Herald Saturday 20/8/2011 Page: 12 Section: Weekender Region: Newcastle NSW Type: Regional Size: 920.67 sq.cms. Frequency: MTWTFS-
Brief: CURE KIDS Page 2 of 4
The book uses questions and illustrations to explain the complexities of cancer, radiation, chemotherapy and surgery in language suitable for primary school-aged children as well as adults. It refers to cancer as a "broken arm sickness" it's not contagious. Despite writing about Amelia's cancer, the medicine," Alison says. speed with which the family had to adjust to "We thought we may as well prepare them the demands of their new life meant Alison for the truth, because they were going to live didn't deal properly with her emotions until through the reality anyway." Alison thought her daughter's classmates at 12 months after Amelia's diagnosis. "The hardest time was nighttime, when the Valley View Public School could also benefit kids were in bed and you're allowed time to from understanding the changes they would think," she says. "You can't get away from it. see in their friend. But falling into a crumpled heap doesn't help She visited the classroom to answer anyone. When you have kids they're still going questions, explain Amelia's treatment had to get you up in the morning and the sun is still weakened her immune system and emphasised the importance of children staying going to come out every day." Amelia received chemotherapy at Westmead home from school if they were ill. every three weekssometimes for three days Buoyed by how her explanations had proven in a row for six months. helpful, she decided to condense them into a It shrank the tumour, but in February 2007 book, Amelia Has Cancer. surgery was unavoidable. "It kept my brain busy and I hoped it would Amelia's doctors say she is now cured, but her take away the nightmare in the first couple of journey towards health hasn't been without weeks for other families," she says. obstacle. "That was my main priority, to be helpful to Her tumour was wrapped around the nerve other families in a time of complete chaos. that controls the swallowing reflex and she "I look at it in terms of a very painful experience for our family and a book like this was unable to swallow not even her own saliva for 14 months following the operation. would have helped."
explain to Patrick and Nathan that chemotherapy targets fast-growing cells, and for that reason, Amelia would lose her hair. They were also honest about the fact that cancer could be fatal. "[We explained] that's why it's important to go to appointments, to make sure Amelia gets
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