Challenges and rewards
Lisa Diller, MD (right), of the Perini Clinic meets with Anne McLean, a survivor of childhood leukemia.
The pediatric fellows represent the next generation of pathbreakers in the lab, classroom, and clinic at DFCI and beyond. One of the department's major goals is to make cancer therapy more effective and less toxic. "We'd like our treatments to be more specific, using drugs that kill only cancer cells," says Sallan. "We would like treatments to be freer of unpleasant side effects like hair loss and nausea. We've made huge strides in end-of-life care, and symptom management — but we can always do better."
That "do better" mantra seems to resonate through the department and Jimmy Fund Clinic, where staff members often are asked how they handle the sometimes-heartbreaking work.
When Fisher has to deliver sad news to families, he focuses as much as possible on tangible, practical information-sharing. "In my experience, there's nothing more scary than our imaginations," he reflects. "So being able to convey information can be very comforting. I try to help families in some measurable way; that's why I'm a doctor.
"Pediatric oncologists are self-selecting," he continues. "We don't have good work hours, and it's not a glamorous occupation. Yet the challenges in this field are greater than almost any I could ever imagine. So are the rewards."
