If your mom just had breast cancer surgery, you’re probably very happy to have her back home from the hospital. But mom may not be back to her usual self right away. She may be feeling tired or sad and she may need more help from you than usual. Here are some things you can do to help mom while she’s recovering from her surgery.

"One way to deal with your worries is to find out exactly what’s going on with mom and how her sickness may affect you."

• Give mom a hug and tell her how much you love her. If mom’s lying in bed, you can sit next to her and hold her hand. You don’t even have to say anything. For mom to feel your love is the most important thing.
• If mom is feeling tired, you can spend quiet time with her watching TV, reading or resting. Your company can make a big difference in making mom feel better.
• Tell mom about what you’ve been doing in school or about some of the fun things you’ve been doing with friends. Mom probably feels sad about missing out on your life and she’ll feel better if you tell her about what’s been going on.
• If mom isn’t too tired, bring an activity to do with her. You can bring a book to read or a coloring book to draw in. Another idea is to look through some old family albums together. Mom wants to be a part of your life, and doing fun things together is a good way to include her.
• Let mom know you want to help and ask her if she needs anything. She may need more help with household chores for a while, while she’s getting better. Even just bringing mom a drink or making sure your room is clean can be a big help.
• Make mom something special. A card, a picture or a crafts project can help show mom how much you care and she can keep your special gift near her bed to cheer her up if she’s feeling sad.

Here are some other web sites you can visit for kids who have parents with cancer.
www.kidscope.org
www.kidskonnected.org