Health literacy in the United States is a serious problem. For example, about half of Americans do not take prescription medication as instructed, and many possess limited health literacy skills.

The doctor has told you that your child has cancer. You are processing the information and begin your search on websites, with organizations, doctors and anything else that can give you the information you need to begin treatment and get through this very difficult time. What you don’t think about is “you.”

Although this is next to impossible to consider, if you do not take care of yourself, you will not have the strength or fortitude to do what needs to be done. Once your child is diagnosed, the most important thing for them to have first and foremost is you. Here are some tips to help you so that you can help them: