When Your Child is Diagnosed with Leukemia: First Steps from a Cancer Parent

When Laura's daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, her world stopped. What followed was a powerful journey through fear, resilience, and fierce advocacy. In this episode, Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree—a lifelong educator and now author of The Cancer Parent’s Handbook—opens up about the most terrifying day of her life, how she transformed pain into purpose, and why parent-to-parent support is critical in the childhood cancer community. Her reflections are raw, heartfelt, and offer wisdom for every parent facing a medical diagnosis with their child. 

What we talk about:

• Diagnosis day & emotional impact

• Finding empowerment through peer support

• Practical coping strategies for parents

• Giving kids agency during treatment

• Long-term reflection, gratitude & growth
  
  

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction to Child Life On Call + meeting Laura
Katie welcomes listeners and introduces Laura, an educator and mother of three, who shares her personal journey through her daughter’s cancer diagnosis.

[02:00] Life before diagnosis and early warning signs
Laura describes her daughter Cecilia’s vibrant personality and the subtle symptoms—like fatigue and pallor—that signaled something was wrong.

[04:30] Diagnosis day: from classroom to clinic
Laura recounts the moment she received the devastating call while teaching choir class and the whirlwind that followed as her daughter was diagnosed with leukemia.

[06:30] The emotional toll and the beginning of advocacy
Facing fear and uncertainty, Laura begins to advocate for her daughter’s care while navigating the shock and grief that comes with diagnosis.

[07:45] Camp experience and the danger of living “in cancer”
Laura reflects on a pivotal moment at a childhood cancer camp where she recognized the importance of not letting cancer define her family’s entire future.

[09:00] Collaborating with doctors + writing the handbook
Inspired by the gaps in communication, Laura begins collaborating with her care team and eventually writes The Cancer Parent’s Handbook to empower other families.

[11:45] The moment she knew she had to advocate fiercely
After a doctor’s offhand comment about potential cognitive decline, Laura took matters into her own hands and became a determined voice for her daughter’s future.

[14:00] Giving children power during treatment
Laura explains how offering simple choices helped her daughter feel more in control and less fearful during difficult medical procedures.

[16:30] Coping skills and caring for the caregiver
She shares the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and creating a support system to survive the marathon of long-term treatment.

[21:00] Practical ways to normalize medical trauma
Through routines, honest conversations, and using Child Life services, Laura found ways to help her daughter feel safe and empowered during medical care.

[26:00] Empowerment through routine and consistency
By incorporating rituals like bike rides and post-procedure treats, Laura created a sense of predictability that helped her daughter manage weekly treatments.

[28:00] The unexpected gifts of reflection and gratitude
Laura opens up about how practices like gratitude journaling helped her find peace and moments of beauty during even the darkest days.

[30:00] About The Cancer Parent’s Handbook + where to get it
Laura shares her motivation for writing the book and how it’s now available for parents everywhere seeking guidance through their own childhood cancer journey.

 

📚 Resources from Laura:

• 📖 The Cancer Parent’s Handbook Website
  
  

• 🛒 Purchase the Cancer Parent Handbook here!
  
  

• 🌍 Follow the CancerParentHandbook on Instagram

 

The Inside The Children's Hospital Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The content shared in each episode, including stories, discussions, and interviews, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Inside The Children's Hospital Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Inside The Children's Hospital Podcast. Inside The Children's Hospital Podcast does not endorse any specific medical treatments, procedures, or opinions shared in the podcast. If you or your child are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that Inside The Children's Hospital Podcastand its affiliates are not responsible for any decisions made based on the information provided.