Their parents, the leaders of the family clan, are immobile for a while. There is no time, and little energy, to focus on the siblings. They may feel utterly alone, abandoned, desolate in their pain. If you recognize these strong emotions of siblings as normal, not pathological, you will be better able to help your child talk about and cope with his overpowering feelings. Although the time after diagnosis is emotionally potent, stress levels associated with life-threatening illnesses tend to decrease over time.
Siblings also tend to have good psychological outcomes.
In many cases, siblings report the experience as life changing in many positive ways. Concern for Sick Brother or Sister Children really worry about their sick brother or sister. It is hard for them to watch someone they love be hurt by needles, sickened by medicines, lose weight, and be bald. It is hard to feel so healthy and full of energy when the brother or sister has to stay indoors because of weakness or low blood counts. The siblings may also be old enough to understand that death is a possibility.