The following excerpt is taken from Chapter 16 of Childhood Leukemia: A Guide for Families, Friends, and Caregivers, 3rd Edition by Nancy Keene. To order a book, call (800) 998-9938. Permission is granted to print and distribute this excerpt for noncommercial use as long as the above source is included. The information in this article is meant to educate and should not be used as an alternative for professional medical care.

• The Room
• Food
• Parking
• The Endless Waiting
• Befriending the Staff
• Being an Advocate for Your Child
• Playing

There are few things in life worse than arising from a lumpy, pullout couch to face another day of your child's hospitalization for cancer. Hospitals are noisy bureaucracies that run on a time schedule all their own. For a child, being hospitalized means being separated from parents, brothers, sisters, friends, pets, and the comfort and familiarity of home. A child's hospitalization can rob both parent and child of a sense of control, leaving them feeling helpless. With a little ingenuity, however, you can make the most of the facilities, liven up the atmosphere, and even have some fun.