What to Expect
When your child begins treatment for cancer or a blood disease, most likely you are stepping into a whole new world. We want to help put your mind at ease by giving you an idea of what to expect when you and your child come to Children’s Hospital.
In this section, we’ll help you find out what to expect before, during and after a visit and answers to some common questions.
Hematology/Oncology Clinic
Children’s Hospital provides care for children with cancer and blood diseases up to the age of 21 years. Most of these children begin their journey with us at our Hematology/Oncology Clinic, sometimes called “Hem/Onc” (heem-onk) for short.
You most likely have many questions about Children’s and how to prepare your child for a clinic visit. Get more information about your child’s clinic visit on the main hospital Web site including:
- Important things to do before the appointment
- Tips on helping your child feel safer about the upcoming visit
- Paperwork to remember the day of the appointment
- Suggested questions to ask your child’s doctor
- How to prepare for care at home
Surgery
Preparing your child and yourselves for surgery may help reduce your family’s stress during this time.
Our team is committed to helping children who need surgery and their families cope well with the experience. We want you to know what’s going to happen each step of the way.
Visit the main hospital Web site to learn more about what to expect if your child is having surgery including:
- What to do once surgery is scheduled
- Tips to help your child feel safer about the surgery
- What to bring the day of surgery
- What to expect the day of surgery
- Helpful questions to ask your child’s doctor
- How to prepare for care at home
Your Hospital Stay
Children who stay at the hospital (inpatients) to receive care for cancer and blood diseases stay in our Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) Inpatient Care Unit.
Visit the main hospital Web site to find out what you need to know about your child’s stay at Children’s, including:
- Things to do before your child’s arrival
- Preparing your child for a hospital stay
- What to expect during your child’s stay
- Helpful questions to ask your child’s doctor
- Information to help you after your child has been discharged