Student found out bad news yesterday

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7th grade girl, found out she has a tumor in her lungs, came crying to me about it and I just feel horrible, because I can't help her or make her feel better. I called her mother to ask her about it, she said she's going to have surgery in 2 week. I wish I could help in some way.

Specializes in Varied.

Tragically sad :( You're doing a great job by allowing her the place to discuss it.

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You can. Be supportive, but at the same time, prepare her to fight this. First, start with asking the mom if it is OK to start some mild patient education with her. Second, teach her some anatomy and physiology about the lungs and how respirations work. Nothing too complicated. Then, teach her about post-op exercises. Give her an inspirometer now if you can get a hold of one. Make sure she masters it. If you can, visit her at the hospital and continue your support there, make sure she is doing her exercises. If she has a chest tube, review this with her to ensure she understands. Also check out her level of activity, if she can get out of bed, encourager it. Luckily the tumor is benign.

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

I hope she ends up OK. Lung cancer is still one of the bad forms of cancer, as we all know, but just as with many other types, more people are surviving. One of my nursing school professors, as well as one of my sister-in-laws, had surgery for lung cancer a few years ago and both are still with us.

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

The student has had cancer before, but in her leg and she had it have it amputated, so she has a prosthetic leg. It's scary that it's now in the lungs, but I know she can make it. She already told her friends and I saw them crying together, hopefully I can ask if they can do a get well card for her and I'll go visit her when she gets out of surgery.

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The student has had cancer before, but in her leg and she had it have it amputated, so she has a prosthetic leg. It's scary that it's now in the lungs, but I know she can make it. She already told her friends and I saw them crying together, hopefully I can ask if they can do a get well card for her and I'll go visit her when she gets out of surgery.

Oh, my. The poor kid.

You're doing what you can by being there for her. Make sure you get Dr. notes on her restrictions, if she's going to need home tutoring.

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