I've been really touched by the patients I've seen this last week at PMH. I'm on the oncology ward and dealing with a wide spectrum of cancers and ages and good/bad prognosis. Almost every kid has brought a tear to my eye, but their strength of character is amazing during these difficult times and has a direct relationship with the attitude of family and doctors and all support staff.
Of course there are hard times but when I see kids who have to be in isolation for a month following stem cell transplant and are limited to a 5mx5m area I just don't know how they cope...
Its also great to see the kid who has been really unwell all week and sleeping most of it, finally smile as he starts to get over the chemotherapy.
It has really brought to light the psychosocial aspect of treatment, and each week a team of ~15 staff from every health field meet to talk only about the psychosocial care of these kids. The medical team are amazing and every aspect of their care is well thought out and discussed as a team... here's a great example of a medical/alloed health team.
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Working with children is extreemly challenging, let alone when they are ill and there is nothing we can do to make the pain go away!!! in cases where these children ahve so many things going on in their lives, multi-disciplinary teams are so important so that everyone is aware of their progress, management and long term prognosis to make sure the child is taken care of in the most effective manner (and so they dont get run aorund in circles getting asked the same question!!!)
as health professionals, we ahve to realise, that we do everything that we can for these children in the hope that we can make a difference. and if we do our best, then we give this child every hope of survival
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