Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

Tag: Childhood cancer

  • Denis Parsons Burkitt

    JMS Pearce Hull, England   Fig 1. 7-year-old boy with Burkitt’s lymphoma involving his right mandible (A) before treatment and (B) after treatment by Burkitt.3   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…

  • Parental grief

    Ellen Zhang Boston, Massachusetts, United States   Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels We didn’t know the ending because this was us back then. Sometimes wanting is not enough. When the oncologist spoke. While you started to cry only because your mother did. As we cradled you gently. Beyond the singularity of such moments. There…

  • The oncologist’s mask

    Prasad Iyer Timah Road, Singapore   H.J. Pollitt: Hypnotized. Frederick H. Evans. Early 20th century. Philadelphia Museum of Art. 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…

  • Eating with my daughter and her cancer

    Remco Havermans Maastricht, 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…