7 they were on the other side of their frightening storm. But in January 2023, Chris began having side pain and developed textbook signs of kidney stones. Testing determined he had multiple myeloma, a rare cancer of the plasma cells in his bone marrow. They learned that Chris’s cancer was treatable, but not curable. When they told their children about Chris’s cancer, “they were all in shock, and all three of our children burst into tears,” Melissa says. “Joseph thought he was losing his dad and fell to his knees. Eva and Alivia said they didn’t understand how this happened.” The children now wondered: Would they lose both parents? As a healthcare provider, Melissa was experienced in delivering difficult news to patients and their families. But nothing had prepared her for this. “I’ve told many people about the loss of their loved ones. I’ve told many people they have cancer,” says Melissa. “But to tell my kids, only seven months later, that their father had cancer in addition to their mother—it was probably the hardest thing I’ve had to do.” A way forward Melissa and Chris wanted their children to know they had support during this tumultuous time. “As a family, we developed a plan for them to talk to us if they were scared or had questions,” Melissa says. She also reached out to the children’s guidance counselors and teachers. During one of Chris’ appointments with Dr. Kelly Miller, an oncologist with Kettering Health Cancer Care, they were introduced to the CLIMB® program (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery). CLIMB, developed by the Children’s Treehouse Foundation, is a national program that uses hands-on art activities and age-appropriate projects to help children develop skills to cope with the emotions related to the cancer diagnosis in their family. At Chris’ first treatment, DeAnn Gallatin, LSW, an oncology social worker for Kettering Health Cancer Care, gave the couple more information about CLIMB. “She was so kind and went over everything,” Melissa says. Kettering Health’s CLIMB program is for children ages five to 12. When Melissa told DeAnn that 13-year-old Eva was a worrier who tended to internalize things, they welcomed her into the program. An oasis in the storm Over the next six weeks, Eva and Joseph were eager for their —Continued on page 8 “I didn’t cause cancer. I can’t catch cancer, but I can help people with cancer.” —The “three Cs” of CLIMB Eva, Joseph, and Alivia Williamson enjoyed hands-on art projects and other activities that helped them cope with their parents’ cancer diagnoses.
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