Thanks to everyone  for all your support and advice

I dont have a genetic illness,but I am fighting cancer.  My children are 5 and 7, plus i have a 5,6,9,12 year old step kids.   I am and have always been a firm believer on being 100% open with your kids.  All my kids and step kids know exactly whats going on with me, they know about the doctor and what cancer means, and all my meds and treatments.   Now dont get me wrong my husband and I sat them down and explained it all in a way they could grasp it, then we placed them in a support group with other kids that have parents with cancer.  So on to your question, I think you should be honest with them and let them know in a way that isn't scary and they can understand.  Maybe have them sit with you and google it on the computer.  They may be young but they need to know that this is something that they should understand and that its best to be checked up yearly or every 6 monbths.  This will also help them when they are older and out of your home, they will learn to get checked up and will do this even when they are adults.  Now this is my opinion, and this is how I raise my kids, what you decided is your choice and its what you feel is right for your kids.  Best of lucky to you and your family!

Rebecca

hun i feel for you and i hope all turns out well with the tests.

i was diagnosed with cancer when i was 6 and i remember that my mother included me in all of it, explaining as tests were done and she made it alot less scary for me, her theory is that even though she sheilded me from some of it because of my age i was still the owner of my body and i had a right to know what was going on and not be kept in the dark.

maybe sit the kids down all together and just tell them that everyone in the family is having tests and that it means nothing at this point but if a problem is found with anyone then their problem will be treated early on?perhaps do some googling beforehand and find some research on the subject that isnt to overwhelming in case they have questions.

best of luck

xxxxxnat

At 14 and 15, your kids have been discussin genetics and deseases at school. So you can probably start talking about it now and they will understand the science behind it. I would think that where you whould have to be careful is the emotional side, as in, you may not want to present the idea as if it's a death sentence. Maybe gather information about it and how to cope and live healthy?

Hey, what a hard time you must bw going through! I think your kids are probably old enough to understand the situation if you explain it to them gently. You may have to be patient while they freak out a little bit, but then they will come back to ask questions, and i think if you sit down and talk about it for as long as they need to understand it, they will  be ok. I think its best to tell them now so you can all plan to be prepared and organised for regular health checks etc and they understand what its all about. Good luck!

 I have a few family things like this and I was told when I was 12. I felt this was a good time for me. As mine were to do with the female anatomy and I had just started to menstrate, so for me it was a good timing and it also allowed m e to understand why I was in constant pain when my friends were not. I also have scolosis which is in my dad's family (mine is mild) and bad knees. this is also in my family as my nan, aunty and dad all dislocate their knees, I have had to have 5 operations on them so far.

you say you want to avoid stress on them as this helps with the problem. I think them knowing now would help in this, also they can do other things to avoid any stress now.

from eperience it is not good to hold things back.

Must be pretty scary. They're not my children so when do YOU feel ready to tell them? If you feel you can talk to them without alarming them too much and helping them to understand what it is and the symptoms it could be helpful or even life saving. But just remember just because it is genetic doesn't mean it will happen to all, if any of your children. It does heighten percentages but sometimes it can miss generations. I hope for your sake. I think your 15 and 14 year old will understand you but you might have to keep an eye on the 11 year old yourself and remind her or him later on in life again of the illness.

xx

mys

I personally think waiting until they are around 18 would be a good idea. You know then that they are old enough to sit there and listen without being frightened by it and they will listen to the whole thing you have to tell them. I also think 18 is young enough that they can be prepared for if it happens to them. Plus they can know to be checked regularly for them.
 

Remember they also might not have it because they also have their fathers DNA.