Children's Hospital Colorado

Life After Leukemia Treatment

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Supporting families after treatment

Completing cancer treatment is an exciting milestone for patients, families and our care teams. However, when a patient completes their cancer treatment, life doesn't just flip back to how it was. A family may continue to experience the impact of leukemia both physically and emotionally following treatment.

Our families discuss life after their child's leukemia treatment

It can be challenging to find the right support after leukemia treatment is complete. Listen as Bob Casey, PhD, Director of our Cancer Wellness Program, shares what experiences families may encounter during this transition.

Life after leukemia treatment resources

Supporting cancer survivors

Cancer diagnosis and treatment can have a lasting impact on a child and their family. These resources and camps can help families cope after they’ve completed cancer treatment.

Browse our resources for cancer survivors

The HOPE Survivorship Program

HOPE is one of the nation’s first programs focused on cancer survivorship and helping survivors manage late effects that may result from treatment. We are committed to helping each survivor live the healthiest and fullest life possible.

Learn about the HOPE Survivorship Program

Tips for returning to school after leukemia treatment

Kaden’s mom shares what helped Kaden transition back to school during and after treatment. Here are a few of her tips:

  • Bring a child life specialist to school.

    “Have the Child Life team come to school with your child and their siblings to talk to their classes about leukemia. This helped normalize the experience and helped the other students be less nervous about how to be around Kaden.”

  • Start when they’re ready, even if it’s not for a full day.

    “For us, getting back to school, even in short days and sometimes an hour or two at a time, helped bring normalcy back. Kaden was in kindergarten when he was diagnosed, and there were days his teacher would call me to pick him up because he'd fall asleep in class. He still wanted to go to school the next day and be with friends and feel normal. Encouraging him to push through was helpful. He often found he felt worse after a day at home than a day at school.”

  • Let them be kids again.

    “Try to let your child participate in activities during and after treatment – like sports and school – when they feel up for it. They’ll have good days and bad days, but it can help them feel better on the days they feel good enough to participate.”

"Do you feel the same? No, but I think you are a better mom than you were, and this is part of your growth journey."
Julie, Kaden’s mom

Additional childhood leukemia resources

Partnership with the University of Colorado School of Medicine

Children's Hospital Colorado partners with the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where many of our physicians and care providers serve as faculty.