Navigating Serious Illness with Early Childhood Children

In this episode, Ela Molina talks with Jen Harman about Ela’s daughter’s experience with cancer. Isa Molina was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 22 months old. Jen was Ela and Isa’s psychologist at St. Jude while Isa went through treatment. Ela and Jen reflect on that time. They offer tips for using play, setting limits, keeping a routine, and using positive reinforcement with young children. Ela highlights how helpful child life and music therapy were for Isa in the hospital. For parents and caregivers, Jen and Ela emphasize the importance of helping others through finding their own calling.

A special thank you to our moderator, Jen Harman, formerly Assistant Director of the Psychology Clinic at St. Jude, and our parent caregiver, Ela Molina.

Learn more about Isa’s diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) on Together by St. Jude™.

This episode was recorded on 05/22/2024.