Provide Emotional Support
An important aspect of continued emotional support involves the prognosis. Although leukemia is no longer invariably fatal, it must be remembered that survival statistics are only average estimates and apply to children treated with are latest protocols since diagnosis. For the low risk child the chances may be better, but for the high risk child they may be significantly poorer. Of those who do survive after discontinuing therapy, some relapse. Therefore at present only the passage of time is positive confirmation of the child's being ultimately "cured" of the disease. Remission, even in excess of 5 years, cannot be equated with a cure. With increasing concern regarding late effect of treatment, continued surveillance of the child's health status is needed. The nurse who is working with family members must individualize information regarding the "numbers" and the potential risks. An understanding of each member's emotional needs, as well as competent care of physical ones, is essential to the positive, growth-promoting support of family. Comprehensive emotional support for the family of the child with a potentially fatal illness is discussed in Chapter 41.