Pediatric oncology is a team sport; one person does not cure a child with cancer. It really takes an entire team of people and I am so grateful for all my colleagues who make my job a bit easier and certainly so much more fun. So, who is on the team?
Doctors
One doctor cannot know everything and I can confidently say I have needed the expertise each subspecialty in the hospital to care for my patients at one time or another. Collective knowledge is a good thing.
Nurses
Where would we be without our nurses!? PSA: nurses don’t just dispense medications. They assess patients and tell us when something isn’t right, they are the first interpreter of abnormal vital signs, they kindly remind us when we have ordered too many medications for the amount of IVs we have available, they remind us to discontinue medications that are no longer being used, they double check the chemotherapy orders with a fine tooth comb and verify it and so much more. I hope you never have to see the scene of a child or any person being resuscitated during a “code” situation at the hospital, but if you have been there, you know that nurses can move fast. One will be pulling medications from the “crash cart”, one will give the meds, one will be getting vital signs and/or labs, one will be scribbling vital signs and recording medication administration (usually on a paper towel, an arm, or a glove), others will be getting the patient positioned correctly and pulling other equipment that’s needed. It’s the craziest most amazing thing to witness and trust me when I say that you want those nurses by your side. To all my nurses, thank you for what you do and thank you for all you have taught me and for always making me laugh. 
Nurse Practitioners, Physician’s Assistants
Sometimes these people are called mid-level providers or physician extenders. Really, they are just amazing healthcare providers. They see patients, diagnose conditions, write chemotherapy, and keep us all sane.
Social Workers and Financial Counselors: Angels on Earth.
They assess needs and provide support in so many ways: Emotional support, home schooling, parking placards, provide resources for scholarships, identify financial assistance programs, insurance enrollments…the list goes on. These are the most caring, generous and resourceful people on Earth.
Child Life Specialists
These folks are unique to pediatrics. They are trained professionals that engage our kids and have magical powers to explain diagnoses, procedures, and difficult conversations to kids at an age appropriate level. Kid freaking out over IV access? Call child life. Sister of patient sitting with wide eyes in the room in the above code situation? Call child life. Need to explain how surgery is going to happen? Call child life. Love these guys.
Physical, Speech, Occupational Therapists
Chronic illness, big surgeries, long hospital stays, strong medicine – they all take a toll on our kids and it’s hard to keep up with normal developmental milestones. They teach them how to regain strength, how to walk, how to get in and out of bed after surgeries, how to use crutches, how to swallow and speak, how to tie their shoes. They keep them on track with life as best as possible.
Pharmacists:
Need help checking drug interactions with that herbal tea the patient just admitted taking? Call your friendly pharmacist. They mix the drugs, they check the drugs, they check the doses, and answer all questions medication related.
The List Goes On
Home care coordinators and home care nurses, PCAs, scheduling assistants, nutritionists, lab and radiology technicians, psychologists and counselors, the home-bound teachers, EMS and transport personnel, Arts in Medicine, the volunteers, and EVERYONE in between (please don’t be offended if I accidentally left you out! Much love to all!)
Everyone makes a difference and truly no one fights alone.
#ChildhoodCancer365 #morethanfour
