A good father makes all the difference in a child’s life. He’s a pillar of strength, support and discipline. His work is endless and, oftentimes, thankless.
The father of a Child with Cancer has an even harder job because he must continually stay strong for his child, even when they are in so much pain that it makes him want to cry.
The vulnerability they experience is stupefying and causes self-doubt, general worry, and frustration with the medical care they receive.
The father of a Child with Cancer rises to the challenge, whether holding a vomit bucket while their child empties their insides, squeezing into a tiny bed with their child overnight in the hospital, or delivering countless meds through syringes.
Even when at work, there is no magical “off switch” to shut off the immense stress and worry that onco-dads feel about their family. “It’s hard to focus, especially after a night where you rushed your child to the hospital with a seizure.”
With moms focusing more on the child in need, dads often shoulder more of the responsibility at home, especially with siblings. There’s nothing quite like having to explain to a toddler that their brother or sister had to be rushed into the hospital again during the night, or explaining what a seizure is, or answering all of the questions they have, like is their brother/sister going to die?
To all these Dads we say, “Well Done, keep up the good fight, and we wish you love and strength!”
To the Dads whose children are in Heaven, we send you very special hugs – we understand how much you are hurting today, and we carry you and your pain in our hearts. Although it is heartbreaking and difficult, try to take solace in the fact that your child is out of pain now and no longer suffering.
