"I don't know how you do it"

[KelRN215]

This has to be the most common comment I get when I tell people that I am a pediatric nurse and that my primary population is pediatric oncology.

Yesterday I went hiking with a group of people I'd never met before, so naturally I got this from every person. One of these people was a social worker in the substance abuse field... I'd say the same thing back to him. I'll take kids with cancer over drunk adults any day.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

I told MY oncologist that I worked in a peds CICU and he just looked at me and said "oh that's so sad".

I dunno man, you're the oncologist pumping likely futile chemicals into 80 year olds whose bodies aren't meant to handle that sort of abuse anymore and will probably die anyways, only a longer and more painful death; whereas 90% of my kiddos get their hearts fixed and go on to enjoy the rest of their lives. Which is sadder? The suffering elderly in my opinion.

btw I'm 26 and if this oncology related problem of mine comes back when I'm 80 I will flat out refuse the surgeries and the treatments and take it as my time to go.

Anyways I will take my kiddos over adults ANY day. The rare times we get adults on our unit (because the congenital cardiacs stick to the peds units) they are so whiny and needy, I can't handle it! (I am also much more aware of myself as a patient and try to always be on my best behavior haha)

^THIS^

My uncle, who is now in his early 70s, was told in the spring for the 5th time that he has cancer. He has had two relapses of oral cancer requiring radical surgery, prostate cancer and now his oral cancer has metastasized to his lungs. (They found it when they were screening him for a hip replacement.) He has refused treatment this time and I'm so proud of him. They gave him abut 6 months; so far he's still hanging in there. He and my aunt have just moved into a life-lease building where she'll be looked after once he's gone. But he isn't a typical adult patient at all. I had a PICU patient who had undergone the same surgical procedure he'd had for his last relapse right around the same time and done by the same surgical team. When the resident came by to see my patient I mentioned that I had a family member who'd had the same surgery and the resident's face lit up. "Oh, you must be talking about Mr. R! He's such a lovely man." When I asked if he'd met my aunt, his voice sounded strangled... "Um. Yes." I winked at him and told him it was okay, we all know she's crazy... Now THAT's one adult I'd never want to have as a patient!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I paid more attention today when someone found out I was a hospice nurse and said "That's gotta be sad".

Yes, it is. And very fulfilling as well.

I was not offended by his statement but it just reminded me of this thread.