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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 11, 1986)
Section B S group aids parents of cancer patients By By Carolyn Veiga Reporter lore than 7,000 American chil- aren will develop cancer this year. For every child that suffers the pain ■ treatment and effects of the dis- Ke, a parent suffers too. ■Donna Penson of College Station ha organized a parent support ■)up with the help of a social worker from St. Joseph Hospital. He support group provides a rap session format for parents to discuss their child’s illness. ■Penson’s 15-year-old son, Johnny, ■s diagnosed as having a brain tu mor two years ago. “At the beginning, 1 had a rough time,” she says. “One day, Johnny was quarterback for his eighth grade football team, and the next day, he had cancer. “It’s been hard. Sometimes Johnny says, ‘Mommy, am I going to die?’ But I’ve got to tell him that we’re (his family) fighting for his life as much as he is. And we’re going to do everything possible to keep him going.” Penson first became aware of a parent support group in Galveston, where Johnny was being treated in a hospital. She realized the impor tance of starting a program here. “I’m interested in helping parents Photo by Anthony Casper Gayla and Jave Cronauer. build an awareness up and make them realize that other people are inflicted with the same problem,” Penson says. “I want parents to real ize that they’re not alone. There are other people out there who have kids with cancer, and they know what each other’s going through. “I find that Johnny’s doctors are very supportive of this organization, and Johnny’s physician feels that talking to others about the illness is an ideal release mechanism for par ents.” Johnny’s physician, Dr. George Mcllhaney, is a family practicioner in College Station. He says the group benefits the parents, who often have a tendency to isolate themselves from the rest of society. “The family members (of children with cancer) feel that they’re the only ones with a problem,” Mcllha ney says. “I think when you get to talk with other people, you don’t only get support from them, but you also help them in a situation or crisis. “That’s always beneficial for the way we feel about ourselves. It gives us all a sense of accomplishment and well-being.” Mcllhaney says the most difficult thing a parent must deal with is ac cepting the fact that their child has a fatal disease. “I hate to see a child in pain,” he says. “I know doctors are supposed to be tough, but it bothers me.” Mcllhaney says parents are the most important priority to consider when he detects cancer in children. Depending on the age of the child, Mcllhaney says, the parents should be told first. Gayla Gronauer’s son Jave, 5, was diagnosed as having leukemia by Mcllhaney six months ago. “When I first found out Jave (Gronauer’s son) had cancer, I thought to myself, ‘How long does my child have to live?’ ” Cronauer says. “But Dr. Mcllhaney has been so supportive and positive. He tells you what a long way leukemia has come nowadays, and there is a good chance for a cure.” The society reports that leukemia is the most common form of cancer in children. 87 AGGIELAND Staff applications avail able in Room 230 of Reed McDonald. General Meeting for applicants Monday, April 14 at 7 p.m. in Room Oil Reed McDonald. Applications due April 15 “I’m just hoping Jave stays in re mission,” Cronauer says. Mcllhaney says he highly recom mends the program to his patient’s parents but thinks they must make the final decision to attend. Cronauer says, “It really doesn’t bother me to open up with others because if there is some way I can help someone else understand, and somehow relate to what they’re feel ing, then I want to do it.” But Penson says some parents feel uncomfortable talking abput their child. Mcllhaney says, “It’s the unknown which frightens us the most. When parents don’t share their problems with others, they’ll never reach that initial step of finally coming to terfns with the situation. “It’s good having someone there that says, ‘I’ve been through that, and this is what I did.’ ” Cronauer says seeing her son go for treatments is the most painful experience she encounters. “Jave hates going to the doctor,” she says. “Though he’s too young to really understand what cancer is, he knows whafs going to happen to him when he goes for treatment. “The spinal taps are very painful for him, and he screams uncontrol lably. You can’t do anything to calm him down. Even though he’s scream ing his head off, I know the treat ment has to be done. “I’m split right down the middle. Jave says to me, ‘Mommy, please don’t let them hurt me.’ “But I know it’s going to cure him. I just know it,” Cronauer says in a trembling voice. Cronauer says that meetings are composed of parents now, but any one who wants to contribute to the group may attend. She says she ex pects that once more people begin attending the meetings, the parents will invite guest speakers such as doctors, psychologists and cancer re searchers to speak. Meetings are held every second Thursday at 7 p.m. at Peace Lu theran Church on 1100 FM Rd. 2818 in College Station. The next meeting is scheduled for April 24. Photo by Anthony Casper Cancer victim Jave Cronauer at play. T Two Can Dine for $4.99 Bring a friend to Long John Silver s where two can dine for one low price. 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