In order to feel confident about the medical treatments your child is receiving, it's important to have clear and comfortable communication with the doctors, nurses, social workers, and other professionals involved in your child's care.

Any parent of a child who has cancer is under tremendous stress. Feeling overwhelmed by your child's diagnosis is a normal response. However, it also is critical to educate yourself because you will have important decisions to make on your child's behalf. You should never be afraid to ask questions. (Visit our Basic Questions page for a list of helpful questions to ask you healthcare team.)

Following are some suggestions that other parents who have been through the experience have found useful.

• Prepare your questions.
  When you know you will be meeting with a doctor or nurse to discuss your child's treatment, prepare your questions in advance. Always ask the questions first that are of most concern to you. It's often useful to write out your questions before the appointment, as it will help you stay on track.

• Take notes.
  Taking notes will help you recall the answers to your questions.

• If you don't understand what you've heard, don't be embarrassed to say so.
  When you don't understand something, let the doctor know by saying exactly that. If you don't speak up at the time, he or she may assume that you have followed what was said. Sometimes it can be helpful to ask the doctor to draw a diagram in order to clarify what he or she has just described.

• If you are unsure about what you've just heard, you could try repeating it aloud for confirmation.
  For example, if you are uncertain about what the next step might be for your child, you can say, "You mean we should…"

• You will have more than one chance to get answers.
  If all of your questions have not been covered, or if you need more time before proceeding, ask to arrange another time in the future when you could continue your discussion, either in person, on the telephone, or through e-mail.

• Don't go alone.
  Because you are worried about your child and under a great deal of stress, it's difficult to remember everything that you hear. It's a good idea to bring a relative or friend with you to the appointment. Having another pair of ears to listen and remember can be very useful.