Tag Archives: Pediatric Oncology

The Dangerous Myth of a Good Death

Placing expectations on the dying can cause real harm

Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable. ~ Mary Oliver As a pediatric oncology nurse, I saw more than my fair share of death. My dying patients were children — some infants, some toddlers, some teens — all … Continue reading

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How Do Bereaved Parents Contribute to Pediatric Palliative Care?

An interview with Dr. Justin Baker, Director of the Pediatric Palliative Care and Quality of Life Service at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Part Two

Today SevenPonds speaks with Dr. Justin Baker, M.D., Faculty Chief of the Division of Quality of Life and Palliative Care at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Originally trained as a pediatric oncologist, Dr. Baker later transitioned to … Continue reading

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What Is Pediatric Palliative Care?

An interview with Dr. Justin Baker, Chief of the Division of Quality of Life and Palliative Care at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Part One

Today SevenPonds speaks with Dr. Justin Baker, M.D., Faculty Chief of the Division of Quality of Life and Palliative Care at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Originally trained as a pediatric oncologist, Dr. Baker later transitioned to … Continue reading

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Children with Cancer Teach Us What the Holidays Are About

On the pediatric oncology unit, everyone knows that the only gift that matters is love

Many years ago, I worked as a nurse caring for children with cancer. And when I told people what I did for a living, their response was inevitably something along the lines of “Oh, that’s so sad! How can you … Continue reading

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When A Child Has A Terminal Illness

Reflections on a short, full life, part one

Each month Kathleen Clohessy, R.N., offers a new perspective on living with a terminal illness. Kathleen comes to SevenPonds with 25 years experience as a registered nurse caring for families and children facing life-threatening illness. She began her career in the … Continue reading

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“Birds of America” by Lorrie Moore (1998)

Lorrie Moore's stories deal artfully with illness and mortality in young children

  Lorrie Moore has made an appearance on this blog before for a reason. Her simple, incisive writing and her tragically everyday characters make for some very affecting pieces on life, death and sickness. Moore’s 1998 collection of short stories … Continue reading

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