177. Parenting Through Pediatric Cancer: Laura Lang-Ree’s Story of Strength and Hope

In this deeply moving episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss welcomes Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree, a mother, author, and fierce advocate for families navigating pediatric cancer. Laura shares her heart-wrenching yet empowering journey through her daughter Cecilia's leukemia diagnosis—a journey that sparked her mission to create resources and support for parents facing the unimaginable.

Laura opens up about the shock and fear that consumed her when her three-year-old daughter was diagnosed with cancer. She recalls the early days of scouring the internet for guidance, only to find a lack of practical, emotional, and logistical resources for parents walking this difficult path. Determined to change that, Laura took her own experiences and turned them into something meaningful: her book, The Cancer Parent's Handbook: What Your Oncologist Doesn't Have Time to Tell You.

Throughout this episode, Laura and Chuck discuss the emotional rollercoaster of being a cancer parent, the often-overlooked mental health challenges that come with the diagnosis, and the importance of building a strong support system. Laura’s insights are both practical and heartfelt, offering listeners a candid look into what it's like to parent through a cancer diagnosis while continuing to nurture the rest of the family.

Key Takeaways from Laura’s Story:

• The Importance of Advocacy: Laura stresses how crucial it is for parents to become informed advocates for their children, even when the medical world feels overwhelming.
• Managing Emotions Amidst the Chaos: She shares strategies that helped her manage fear, grief, and anxiety during her daughter's treatments, including mindfulness, journaling, and leaning into her faith.
• The Power of a Support System: Laura talks about how she learned to accept help from others and how critical it was for her family's well-being.

Turning Pain Into Purpose

What started as a personal mission to survive the emotional toll of her daughter’s diagnosis turned into a broader mission to help others. Laura created She Is You, an online community where parents can find support, share their stories, and access the tools they need to cope with pediatric cancer. Her book is packed with real-world advice, from handling medical jargon to advocating for your child's needs.

Laura also reflects on the incredible strength she discovered within herself and within the pediatric cancer community. Her message is clear: no parent should walk this journey alone. Through her work, she hopes to ease the burden for others by providing the guidance she wished she had during those first terrifying days.

Faith, Resilience, and Hope

At the core of Laura's journey is her unwavering faith. She credits her relationship with God for giving her the strength to persevere through the darkest moments. Her story serves as a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable hardship, hope and healing are possible.

Listen to the full episode to hear Laura’s raw and inspiring story, and learn more about the resources available to parents navigating a child’s cancer diagnosis.

Stay Connected with Warriors Unmasked For more powerful stories of resilience and courage, visit Warriors Unmasked or book a coaching call with Chuck directly.

 

GUEST LINKS:

• cancerparentshandbook.com
• Instagram at @‌laura_dekraker_langree

LINKS:

• www.thecompassionateconnection.com
• www.warriorsunmasked.com 
• Join Chuck’s Text Community: 251-418-7966

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome  
• 03:12 Laura’s World Shattered: Cecilia’s Cancer Diagnosis  
• 07:25 The Search for Guidance and the Lack of Resources  
• 10:58 Becoming an “Expert” in Pediatric Cancer  
• 15:14 The Emotional Impact of a Child’s Diagnosis on the Entire Family  
• 19:36 Strategies for Coping with Overwhelm and Fear  
• 23:45 Creating The Cancer Parent’s Handbook: A Guide for Parents  
• 28:30 The Role of Faith and Community in Laura’s Healing Journey  
• 33:15 How to Advocate Effectively for Your Child’s Medical Care  
• 38:52 Laura’s Tips for Maintaining Mental Health During Crisis  
• 44:07 How the *She Is You* Community Offers Support to Cancer Parents  
• 49:30 Words of Encouragement for Parents Facing a New Diagnosis  
• 52:48 Final Thoughts: Finding Purpose Through Pain  
• 55:11 How to Connect with Laura and Get Her Book