Daniel
Abstract
RoadmapsDaniel SAGE Publications, Inc.1996DOI: 10.1177/104345429601300113 Tamara E. Scott RN, PNP AS PEDIATR1C ONCOLOGY NURSES we are often asked, "How do you do it? Isn't your job so depressing?" There are certainly sad and difficult times for us, but in the words of C.S. Lewis, "The pain now is part of the happiness then." The recent death of a favorite patient of mine reminded me that death does not have to be a horrible experience. Daniel, a 7 year old, 7 months into therapy, with a third relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He had no matches for a bone marrow transplant, but his physician wanted to try a mismatched sibling transplant. His liver function was too poor for him to undergo a transplant. With great love in their hearts, his parents made the painful decision to forgo any further treatment and take him home to spend quality family time together until his death. When I asked Daniel how he felt about going home he said, "I'm so happy!" When his parents asked him what he wanted to do most, he replied, "I want to go camping." February weather was too cold to camp, but that did not stop Daniel's