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January 4, 2008 Helping Your Child Deal with Cancer
Thanks to the great people at Make-A-Wish, Jack, Robynn, and their parents will visit Disney World later this month. To find out more about Jack's story, visit www.jacksbattle.com. This week's book selections are terrific resources to help young children better understand cancer and the unpredictability of life. More information on Gliobastoma Multiforme: Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), also known as grade 4 astrocytoma, is the most common and aggressive type of primary brain tumor, accounting for 52% of all primary brain tumor cases and 20% of all intracranial tumors. Despite being the most prevalent form of primary brain tumor, GBM's occur at only 2-3 cases per 100,000 people in Europe and North America. Treatment can involve chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, all of which are acknowledged as palliative measures, meaning that they do not provide a cure. The five year survival rate of the disease has remained unchanged over the past 30 years and stands at less than three percent. Even with complete surgical resection of the tumor, combined with the best available treatment, the survival rate for GBM remains very low. Causes and Risk Factors Although glioblastoma multiforme brain tumors can occur at almost any age, they're most common after 50 years of age. Diagnosis A neurologic evaluation should be done if a patient has slowly increasing signs of mental dysfunction, new seizures, persistent headaches or evidence that there is pressure inside the skull, such as vomiting or swelling or protrusion of the blind spot at the back of the eye. A neurologist (a doctor who has received special additional training in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the brain, spinal cord and nerves) performs a complete examination, which may include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, a computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan or a chest X-ray to determine if the tumor has spread from another part of the body. An MRI usually finds low-grade astrocytomas earlier than CT. Cerebral angiography is rarely used to diagnose a brain tumor, but it may be done before surgery. Depending on the patient's symptoms, specialized tests may be done, including tests of the field of vision, the sharpness of vision and hearing. If the results of other tests are not conclusive, an examination of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord may be done, although it is usually unnecessary. Treatment Treatment of a brain tumor depends on the nature of the tumor, how rapidly it is growing, what symptoms it causing and where it is located. Radiation therapy is required to treat gliomas. Chemotherapy also benefits some patients with such tumors. Research is being done on a number of techniques that in the future might help treat gliobastoma multiforme, including:
Only about one out of every four patients with this type of tumor survives two years. Prospects are better when:
January 11, 2008 Craft Corner
You'll Need:
Directions:
For more fun crafts visit wqlnkids.org/crafts. January 18, 2008 A Lesson about Triangles
A triangle has 3 lines that meet at different points creating 3 sides. Do you know what makes the triangle special? It provides an incredible amount of support just because of its unique design. Did you know that a geodesic dome is made up of many triangles? Just for the record, a geodesic dome is a structure that looks like a ball just like the Spaceship Earth exhibit at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Center. Types of Triangles Scalene is a triangle whose 3 sides have different lengths Isosceles is a triangle with two equal sides Equilateral is a triangle whose 3 sides are all the same Acute is a triangle with angles that measure less than 90 degrees Obtuse is a triangle with an angle that measures more than 90 degrees Right is a triangle with an angle that measures 90 degrees Here is a fun craft to do at home with your child to teach them about triangles and to show them their importance in our world. 
Creating a Geodesic DomeWhat You Need:
What You Do:
January 25, 2008 Financial Literacy
First help children learn the value of each coin using this rhyme! Penny, penny, Easily spentKids know money! They love to buy things. And, when they receive money from gifts or allowances, it’s often their money to spend as they wish! Many kids tend to spend money on impulse. They see something and they have money, so they buy it. Putting a little aside each time they get money is a great habit for kids to develop. This habit of saving will hopefully stay with them throughout their lives. Here’s an activity to help your children begin learning to save money: 
Create a Bank Using craft supplies and a box or plastic container, create a special savings container. Explain that children all around the world earn money in various ways and store that money in all sorts of containers. What You Need:
What You Do:
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