By Honna Janes-Hodder, Nancy Keene
2nd Edition August 2002
ISBN: 0-596-50014-9
528 pages, $29.95 US, $46.95 CA

This book is the most complete parent guide available, featuring detailed and precise medical information about solid tumor childhood cancers: neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, liver tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, and bone sarcomas. In addition, it offers day-to-day practical advice on how to cope with procedures, hospitalization, family and friends, school, social and financial issues, communication, and feelings. The second edition is completely revised and was reviewed by top medical experts in the field of solid-tumor cancers.

Woven among the medical details and the practical advice are the voices of more than 100 parents and children who have lived with cancer and its treatments. As many parents have already found, advice from "veteran" parents can be a lifeline. Obtaining a basic understanding of topics such as medical terminology, how drugs work, common side effects of chemotherapy, and how to work more effectively with medical personnel can improve the quality of life for the whole family suffering along with their child. Having parents describe their own emotional ups and downs, how they coped, and how they molded their family life around hospitalizations can be a tremendous comfort. Just knowing that there are other kids on chemotherapy who refuse to eat anything but tacos or who have frequent rages can make one feel less alone.

Parents who read this book will encounter medical facts simply explained, advice to ease their daily lives, and tools to be strong advocates for their child. Childhood Cancer also contains a personal treatment summary and long-term follow-up guide for your child to keep as a permanent record.