Parenting a child with a terminal illness

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a therapist who not only is good with issues that have to do with the usual crap(adult child of alcoholic and drug using parents, divorces, remarriages, trust issues, verbal abuse, etc.)plus might have some insight into parenting a child with what is basically a terminal illness and requires a lot of care and causes a lot of stress for individual, the parents and perhaps even the other''healthy'' sibling. I know I have a lot of personal issues that I really want to work on this year, but I also have this rather extenuating circumstance with my child that I know might be causing me and my family more stress and grief than I can always acknowledge.It would help to find someone who ''gets'' it through a deep sense of compassion or through experience...I would really like to find someone in or near Alameda who might be available in the evenings. I believe my plan is through ''Value Options''. Thanks for any suggestions, I am new to the area. looking for a better way to be.

Therapist for Adolescent with Chronic Illness

My 16 year old son was diagnosed recently with an a rare autoimmune disease that had caused acute kidney failure. We are looking for a therapist in the Berkeley,Albany, El Cerrito area that specializes in both adolescents and chronic illness. He is on several medications to treat the illness that can cause depression. He was a talented athlete but is having trouble with fatigue, getting back in shape, etc. He feels socially isolated and depressed. The disease can be life threatening, is incurable and has a high reoccurance rate. He is in remission right now but will need to remain on immunosuppressant drugs and prednisone for a long time. He misses a lot of school for doctor appointments and sometimes illness and/or fatigue. Thanks for you suggestions!

Psychotherapist for dealing with chronic disease

My rheumatologist has recommended that I see a therapist to help deal with a chronic auto immune disorder. I'm in Berkeley. Thanks. Worried Mama

Seeking support of other parents

My child (who is preschool age) was born with a somewhat rare chronic disease. Although it is not likely to be fatal, dealing with it is a burden for both me and my child. I am not really scared or worried about my kid's medical situation - I am totally burned out on going to the doctor, figuring out how to manage my child's situation and battling with my kid to do things necessary to stay healthy. I am in therapy and love my therapist, so I am not looking for therapy recommendations. I get to take breaks and get respite from the situation, so I don't need that kind of help. I want to be around other people who can relate and offer support. Any suggestions for support groups for kids with chronic diseases or something like that? thanks!

Coping with grief about child's illness

Our pediatrician thinks our child may have an illness that is incurable and, ultimately, fatal. We are waiting for diagnostic tests (and then will wait again for their results). It looks as if it may be weeks before the picture is clear. I don't feel it would be a good idea to confide in my colleagues or even my other children at this point. Perhaps the diagnosis will turn out to be something less serious, and even if it doesn't, I'm not sure when is the right time to disclose something like this. I would like my child's life to stay normal for as long as it can, and he is too young to grasp something this awful. But living with this anxiety and dread is making it hard to fulfill my responsibilities at work and maintain a semblance of normality at home for my children. My husband is unwilling to discuss the situation, and says he won't even think about it until the diagnosis is certain, which leaves me feeling even more alone. I am sure many of you have lived with fear, and coped with bad news, and I would be very grateful for any advice about how to get through this. Barely managing

I think that it is important -- even now -- to find a therapist or counselor who has experience w/ such things b/c you NEED to have someone to express your fears and feelings to. Also, if your child does eventually die as a child, you will need the support and understanding of someone outside your family. Our challenge was to find a way to live with the knowledge that our child was dying yet give our child our utmost love and affection as long as she was with us. It is a strange paradox to be in and it is an exhausting and isolating experience (among many other things).

Find someone with experience as a counselor to confide in. The stress and fear will eat you up otherwise when you need most to love and care for your child and family. I know a superb woman (she's in Marin and San Francisco) who saved my life during my child's death. Her name is Nancy Langley and she should be in the phone book. If not, post another message and I will find her # for you. My warmest wishes and hopes for you and your family. Mother of a child who died.