By the way, St. Jude is a great hospital that does a lot of good. It’s just a running joke in the peds oncology world that they get ALLLL the donations
When I was preparing my will my attorney said it's a good idea to leave money to LOCAL charities since the national charities already get money hand over fist. You can make a local charity's year via your will.
I have a lot of family working at St. Jude, can confirm their ALSAC branch is super business savvy lol But the money machine is a different institution from the hospital!
I love that the Pediatric Oncologist recognized that Dr. Bill Bill was sent there by some attending either too lazy, embarrassed or both to ask such a question. Bill far to often suffers due to the system around him.
I feel like Bill is very slowly going through some character development. I hope he's not a resident into his 50s because he keeps getting stuck with all the worst jobs.
Bill will be the hardened veteran who can stand up to neurology, nephrology, and cardiology. He will be the one to train others effectively and cut out the BS that is the doctor's ego. It's unfortunate and infuriating that he has to get ground up, chewed up, spit out, and trod upon to get there. But in the end, Bill will be the one.
I remember doing just that in my intern year. Worse because I was going into radiology and had to bother my future attendings/colleagues for stupid things with half-baked reasons not of my own. As an attending now I don't give the trainees a hard time over this. At the end of the day everything is done in the name of patient care.
I used to babysit for a pediatric oncologist in college. She was so nice that when I told her what I charged for babysitting, she was worried it wouldn’t be enough and insisted on giving me another $5 an hour. They may be oncologists, but it’s still pediatrics. There is always a unicorn headband.
I love that this is quite accurate for adult oncology as well. So many med students are afraid to visit us at first, thinking we are "the sad place where people die". Sure we have our sad moments, but most of our work is providing hope in hopeless situations and that warmness can be felt easily in our ward. Oncology has amazing people working in it and the patients are usually in a good mood too! And we looooove our studies and research. We get SO excited when we see those Kaplan-Meiers!
My heme/onc rotation was often very happy because we got to tell ppl their treatment was working or their cancer was in remission or cured every day, which far exceeded any bad news we had to give.
I just saw my oncologist yesterday, and I walked out very happy. I had tongue cancer, with my initial surgery nearly three years ago. Yesterday, we discussed my most recent scan, and it looks great. I'm now more than 2 years cancer free, and my oncologist said that we can push out my visits to every 6 months now unless something comes up.
Same in hospice. While we know there is an inevitable downturn, getting to tell my patients they can eat whatever they want, do any activities they can tolerate and just enjoy themselves. You really get to know people differently.
Pediatric oncology drs are the best. They work so hard to find cures or even just knocking back the cancer till a treatment is found. My love to the peds oncologists at Cincinnati children's hospital. My nephews is 14 years old now because of their devoted treatment when he was 9 months old.
I love Cincy! I have epilepsy and I've been going there for annual checkups for a while, I'm now a legal adult but I can stay for a few more years until they have to kick me out
My best friends daughter had AML acute myeloid leukemia and she was only 3. They fought so hard for her and they cried when they couldn’t find a way to cure it. University of Maryland medical center amazing doctors and nurses the entire staff were attached to her Zayla Mae Griffin. She was everything. So full of life and energy. May her soul rest peacefully ❤May all of the babies and the adults too be freed from that evil disease. May the families of those who lost their loved ones my love❤ I’m proud of all the ones who made it we celebrate you for being here❤
I learned from a pediatric heme-onc that children oncology is usually more pleasant than adults. She explained that although children are innocent and it's sad to see them suffering, they're usually surrounded by supportive friends and family, they taken very well care of, and usually have much more positive outlooks. Vs. The 76 year old man with major comorbidities, no one coming to support him, has no resources, and will likely soon die alone after reflecting on his many missed lifetime opportunities.
Adult oncology is actually pretty similar! I personally am convinced that only nice people get cancer, and those people usually have supportive families and friends too.
@@Vivienne17b Its coz people that are alone usually go for palliative or no treatment option since why bother get an extension and you'll see these people in vegas somewhere or inside cheap inns spending all of their money before kicking the bucket.
I was a pediatric cancer patient at 6yrs old, it was my first experience with anything that wasn't a checkup with my pediatrician. They were amazing, and i credit the many (many!) Doctors and nurses i worked with that I survived to grow up and to see my kids grow up. Research is important! I'm still part of my long term effects study, because we never stop learning about it and what the treatments do. I joke that i don't donate money, i donate more dna every year
@@mateuszcielas3362 truthfully there are times that are harder than others. The biggest thing is to live in the moment and share joy or grief with families as appropriate. Really feel it. Then let it go and move to the next patient/home.
There's an older kid's cartoon series called American Dragon about a modern day kid dealing with mythological creatures. Two young girls he meets are twins who are able to see the future but the one only sees the good things that will happen while the other sees all the bad things. The one who sees all the good things is constantly depressed because she's not prepared for the bad things while the one who sees the bad things is bright and cheerful because, most of the time, she is pleasantly surprised by all the good or just neutral things that happen as well. I get the same vibe from the pediatric oncologist. Anytime they get a win it's a pleasant surprise and that's what they'll focus on.
Shout out to my Scottish Rite/Atlanta Children’s hospital pediatric oncologists whose names I don’t remember because I was 8, it’s been over two decades and I’m still here! That wouldn’t have been the possible without you. Thank you for saving my life.
My sister was in the local children's hospital when I was a little one and I was playing with one of the kids with cancer. I didn't grow any hair until I was about 2 (no one has any idea why) and the patient's mother came over to my dad and asked, "So, what kind of cancer does your kid have?" He had to explain it was his other kid being treated for an infection and I was bald for some unknown reason. The mother sang the praises of all the pediatric oncologists at the facility and said, "If either of your kids get cancer, bring them here. It's great!" He said that he was taken aback at how upbeat they were considering the cancer. Having the right doctors really makes a difference!
At the hospital where I work, they have Child Life Specialists who work with the kids with cancer. They play games together, put together special blankets, stay with the kids during scary treatments, and obviously support the parents. They're my favorite team in the hospital, I'd love to do the job, even with the heartbreak and sadness, you know you made a kid smile for at least a little while.
Hi! I am a Certified Child Life Specialist that has worked with pediatric oncology patients. We do all of the things mentioned above and more! Things like diagnosis education for patients and their siblings, therapeutic play/art activities, and yes, sometimes we even have facility dogs or contracted therapy dogs! Just depends on each hospital and each patients’ needs. :)
My "nephew" (dear friend's son) passed away from leukemia when he was 4. I remember going to the childrens hospital with them for his infusions, and it was a very welcoming and comfortable environment (for a hospital). This video was rather cathartic and a very nice reminder that it's not only sadness ❤️
Makes sense these people would find happiness. I used to be severely sick as a child though never terminal. My memories of those days and the terminal children I knew make me appreciate life a lot. I got a gift that not everyone recieves.
As a PHO doc, I can tell you got it about 100%. The slightly abnormal lab could also be the PTT that is 1 second too long or the PT of 13, but an INR of 1.1. These are both classics.
One of my kids was a patient there for about 3 years (traveled many of the specialty wards in his short life, but sadly AML got him in the end). I have lots of fond memories of the wonderful and supportive staff there. And it's a beautiful hospital too!
I owe my life to two amazing doctors and staff at Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital. One to repair a hole in my heart, the other to create my hips from the bone bank so I could walk. Both hips replaced now, but they lasted beyond what was considered their life span. Big shout out to Dr. Salter from many years ago.
Thank you! My mother, a (retired) pediatrician, always says that pediatric care is special because, even in most difficult cases, there is still hope that the patient could "outgrow" the disease.
While I never had a peds oncology rotation I was terrified that it would be horribly sad during my hematology/oncology rotation. Oh man. I love oncology. You can do so much to help those patients. It's incredible.
I was lucky (or unlucky) enough to be diagnosed with a Ewing sarcoma in my right elbow when I was 17, leaving me just young enough to experience the pediatric side of oncology here in the Netherlands, in the Prinses Maxima Centrum in Utrecht I'm sure things are quite different between here and the states, but I'm also sure the doctors there are equally fantastic people who do their best to make their patients feel comfortable and help them through such a tough time in their lives. A big thanks to everyone in the field, even the people at St. Jude's o7
Yoooooo today's my husband's 20th cancerversary! He had a really effing weird hugeass pediatric thymoma. ....and used his giant cancer scar as a pickup line on me when he was in grad school 😂. ....it worked 😭. Anyone who'd shamelessly bare their glow-in-the-dark white chest in public at 3am while sober is a total chad right? Anyway, he's a science bro now, and we've got a little science dude of our own! All's well 😊 Thank you pediatric cancer docs!! 💖
@@mateuszcielas3362 Just to clarify, I'm not a medical doctor but a molecular geneticist (so also on the biology side). We're currently researching a new BRAF fusion and recently encountered an unknown MET fusion which we expect to be activating and susceptible to Crizotinib. That one we also plan to research further.
@@mateuszcielas3362 Just to clarify, I’m not a medical doctor but a molecular geneticist (so also more on the biological side). We’re currently researching a new BRAF fusion and recently encountered an unknown MET fusion which we suspect to be activating and susceptible to Crizotinib. That last one we also plan to research further.
My daughter is currently being treated for cancer at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Every single person there is truly amazing. They clearly care deeply about patients and their families and everything they do is done to make the experience better for us. I’m a nurse, and I could never do what these incredible folks do. I’m so very grateful for them. 💜💜💜
Heme/onc here. Was waiting for the retic count before it was asked for. I need to put that quote on my office wall. Up there with “how dare you consult me without a biopsy”
Peds oncology clinicians are woven from a different thread. That specialty is sacred imo. When I assisted bone marrow biopsies I could barely keep it together when they wheeled those kids in.
I know I couldn't work in pediatric oncology. My heart just couldn't take it and I would leave within a week. So I thank everyone who does, because it is a fundamental work and blessed be you heart if you can cherrish those good memories while overcoming the bad ones.
As the mom of a ped onc survivor it’s nice to look back and find things to laugh at about the whole ordeal. Thanks for sharing your humor with us doc. You’re the best.❤
Reminds me of the time I applied for a research assistant position at a pediatric oncology unit. They wanted to improve how to communicate prognosis data to parents so needed someone to go through surveys and interviews with parents who had recently lost their child to cancer. Incredibly important work, but in hindsight, I’m kinda glad I did not get the job 😬
I have learned more about the medical industrial complex from watching your videos than I ever could have hoped from google research. You can not imagine my gratitude for what you have taught me.
Loved the comment about the blood smear. Favorite pediatrician story: when I was a PA student I did an outpatient Peds rotation with a doc in private practice. He could spot trouble a mile away and did his own blood smears which was totally awesome. I thought about Peds in medical school and didn't go that route but have deep love always for Pets especially Peds specialists.
Bless all the Ped Oncology Doctors for keeping up your spirits and those of your patients! Bless those precious children! Love love love your wonderful and ever so funny posts!😂
I was a pediatric oncology patient. They always greeted me with smiles and enthusiasm as if I were one of their favorite people coming back for a fun visit instead of a weeklong treatment session and rehydration or treatment for some side effect that got out of hand. I loved the staff.
Thanks for recognizing those who are helping with young patient cancer care. While I've never been a cancer patient myself, I was born with a congenital heart condition that required (& still requires as an adult), medical intervention. It's definitely hard to get through things like this, but I'm grateful for my nurses and staff over the years who have helped me and others through these types of situations. Thank you for spreading awareness. ❤
@KaylaCorrbin another MLS in the wild. I always say a silent prayer for my leukemia " patients ". I'm a x2 cancer survivor and I know what they are in for. But there are new treatments and I pray cures for all someday. I'm here today thanks to Pembrolizumab.
Hi Dr. Glauc! I'm a med student and a cancer researcher. I haven't decided if I want to work with adult or pediatric cancer yet. It's good to hear people who work with childhood cancer still love their job!
@@lindsayschwartz4433 I am hoping to check it out soon! My pediatric rotation is coming up. Ped-onc is a common enough elective for that clerkship, right?
I have an Autistic special interest in childhood cancer and if I were brave enough to even try to survive med school that’s what I would want to do with my life. The stories I’ve heard from that community are heartbreaking and I wish I could help make it better.
Some places have medical librarians, that can be a place where those auth special interests can thrive. So there are options to help that aren't med school, best of luck finding a path.
@@3countylaugh Thank you! I work as a lab assistant and phlebotomist right now, so I do get to be close to the action, albeit mostly with adult patients right now. Makes sense that a medical librarian would be a good place for a special interest though.
@@jacksonfour2965 Lol I wish. Unfortunately the support I would need cannot be provided by likes, and med school (and more importantly, residency) does not tend to be the most accommodating place.
I was diagnosed with lymphoma back in 2020 while i was in my late 20s. I found out peds onc sees up to 25 or 26. When i arrived a few people asked if i was going to be seen in peds onc too. "No im an old person"
I LOVE Bill!!! I just wish he would end up with all the good things in life!!! Lol I probably relate a little to strongly w him. NOT that I'm wanting the best for me JUST him. He also deserves snuggles and hugs which at least kids are generous with! Love my nephews and nieces 😊😊😊
Thank you for the St. Jude reference. A lot of misinformation out there about that place. They help some, but not all, but so many think they take all cases and perform miracles.
They do research as well, which is just as if not more important. I remember talking to a dad whose little girl was a patient at at Sick Kid's in Toronto, and was part of a collaborative clinical trial with St. Jude's. It was her last hope for a cure.
My dad asked my opinion, as a pediatrician, whether he should donate to St. Jude or Shriner's. I told him that St. Jude does a lot of important research, but there are a lot of limitations on the patients they will actually see. Shriner's takes care of any child with any condition they treat.
Yes, where I come from, children die of many, many diseases which equally sad , regardless of the cause, yet a huge amount of the funding, publicity and sympathy goes to the ones with cancer
In my experience, if you don't live in Memphis, the likelihood that your child will ever qualify to be cared for at St. Jude's is exceptionally low. If they do qualify, there is a high chance that they will quickly fall out of the protocol and be sent home to hospice care. Perhaps my viewpoint is skewed as a rural pediatrician...
I don't think it's skewed at all, pretty accurate if you ask me. Also, if the child does not have a cancer that they're presently doing research on, chances of care are exceptionally low as well.
I had an ad for St. Jude's on this which made it even funnier. 😂 I donate to St. Jude's frequently and will continue to do so but thia has prompted me to look into donating to my local children's hospital as well.
0:38 they get so excited about new defined Gene anomalies because they know the pharma companies are going to hop on it and they can get the next kid into clinical trials or maybe even definitive treatment in the future. Paeds-Onc moves so fast.
@@kohakuaiko No, I meant "drowning the pain away with booze after hours because you just had to watch another couple lose faith in humanity after their child succumbed to cancer and you know you need to do it again tomorrow"
The hospital I work as a nurse got a huge ped onko unit. It's such a incredibly sweet environment and the nurses there have such a unique mindset when it comes to their work.
Hi Doc! God Bless you all for what you do for the children- You are truly Blessed for your service and I am so very grateful for you all. ALL children are God’s angels as are you❤️
Gotta admit that as an MLT my favorite part was the satisfaction of getting results from a slide after and abnormal CBC. And my second favorite part was the retic value comment, even though adding on the retic after the fact means I need to manually find the sample and rerun it. I appreciate that value was checked
Anybody else get a Saint Jude Children's hospital commercial immediately following this video? Made me LITERALLY laugh out loud. And that's not a critique of the hospital, just great irony. 😅😂
I'm a Pedi hem/onc nurse. This is Perfect!! St. Jude is awesome, but we actually give the same protocols to our patients and do clinical trials which shocks many parents.
Shot out to this! I decided to become doctor because I wanted to help kids with cancer, I still love pediatric oncologist but my path and health brought me somewhere else, especially in places where I hope I will help kids in even more difficult situations ❤
Right now I am doing my umpteenth LTFU/CCSS (Long Term Follow Up, what I call Long Term F••• Up) study sponsored by St Jude's as a childhood cancer survivor with secondary tumors. Wouldn't be alive if diagnosed 10 years earlier, wouldn't have brain tumors, microbleeds, epilepsy, et. al. if diagnosed 10 years later. In Palliative Care now w/UCSF. Thanks, Dr, Glaucomflecken, for nailing Pediatric Hem-Onc, as well as other specialties. My current joke: I'm dying of pediatric cancer at age 57!
Great video. Not far off for adult oncologists. We too memories all those pathways and get excited when a new one is discovered. More pathways to try to inhibit and by inhibiting, make the cancers regress.
I love you for this one. Mom of a pediatric brain and spinal cord tumor teenager. St. Jude makes me so livid. They cherry pick their patients and don't help many at all. Everyone thinks they give all peds oncology kids free care, and that's far from the truth. Thank you for this video. Now to email it to his palliative oncology doctor 🤣
Same! You are not alone. So many of us parents in the pediatric brain tumor community feel the same. Sorry you are going through this, sincerely hoping 🙏 for the best outcome for your son and your family. Sadly, our son didn't make it. 💔
Having spent some time training at SJCRH the disney ears and money is pretty accurate. Its an amazing place to be a patient but they really do have so much money
As an oncology nurse for large children (adults), I have never been able to stand the word “kiddo” in peds. Like fingernails on a chalkboard. So much respect for those who care for the little ones though ❤
I would love to see your take on the subspecialty of Pediatric Neuro Oncology! My son saw an excellent doctor at Rady Children's in San Diego. He was nothing like your neurologist rho!
