Samantha has always had her own sense of style. Last year for Halloween, I took her costume shopping. I headed for the princess aisle, but she wanted nothing to do with that. I think that was because those are her everyday clothes. Eventually she decided to be "Mike" from Monster's Inc. She wore the monster feet at her ice skating class, but for trick or treat, she went with her ruby red Dorothy slippers.
This weekend, Sam developed a runny nose. (Gina these symptoms came on after our trip to the theater!) I was trying to ask her if she had any other symptoms like ears hurting or sore throat. She got nearly hysterical. After calming down, she told me that she didn't want to be sick like bubby. We had a long talk about bad cells & how she has different blood than her brother & that everyone gets sick. I'm not sure she was convinced. I called her pediatrician and a hospice nurse from J5 for advice and recommendations regarding resources for siblings. I don't want to over-react, but I don't want to under-react either. I've also asked a friend who lost her brother to cancer to talk with Samantha.
When I got home from work, she showed me this picture she painted in school:
She told me that it is a picture of "bubby when he was sick. He has none hair." I want to do the right thing, but I don't know exactly what that is. I think taking her to a counselor right now would cause her more anxiety. I may try to reach the school social worker next week - this is a short week for the kids. Her teacher says there are no behavioral problems, that she seems well-adjusted & happy. Any advice would be appreciated.
Sam seems like a very well adjusted little girl working through a huge loss, actually 2 losses, as best she can. I would talk to a doctor about the best way to easy her anxiety over getting sick. I would also do the best I could to praise her all the time.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had better advice.
You and your entire family are handling an incomprehendable loss with so much grace.