Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Tag: Childhood cancer

  • Denis Parsons Burkitt

    JMS PearceHull, England Aphorisms from wise medical men and women have fallen out of fashion. Because each line is to a degree debatable, one of my favorites is: Attitudes are more important than abilities.Motives are more important than methods.Character is more important than cleverness.Perseverance is more important than power.And the heart takes precedence over the…

  • Parental grief

    Ellen ZhangBoston, Massachusetts, United States We didn’t know the ending because this was usback then. Sometimes wanting is not enough.When the oncologist spoke. While you startedto cry only because your mother did. As we cradledyou gently. Beyond the singularity of such moments. There is a universal grieving for parents losing a child.All things lead to…

  • The oncologist’s mask

    Prasad IyerTimah Road, Singapore As a pediatric oncologist I have learned to put on an invisible mask before seeing my patients and their parents. I try to bring them some cheer and keep the enveloping darkness at bay, if only for a moment. The mask is also a shield to protect myself, lest my face…

  • Eating with my daughter and her cancer

    Remco HavermansMaastricht, Netherlands “Can I get you anything to eat sweetie?” “No thanks.” “Sweetie, are you sure?” “Perhaps I’ll like an apple,” my daughter replies without looking at the nurse. That was an hour ago. She still hasn’t finished the apple the nurse brought her and I’m worried. It’s early in the evening and my…