A day in the life
A family's first visit to the Jimmy Fund Clinic often begins in the Institute's parking garage, where an attendant points them toward the colorfully decorated clinic on the third floor of the Dana building. A new-patient coordinator has already spoken with the family and recorded the child's medical history. For this and subsequent visits, the youngster has vital signs and blood checked before being examined by his or her physician or nurse practitioner. The family may also meet with a social worker or psychologist to talk about emotional or other concerns that can arise during treatment.
"There are a lot of extras available to patients," notes Clinic Director Lewis Silverman, MD. "We have nutritionists available if the family or clinician feel that would be helpful, and complementary therapies such as acupuncture and guided imagery are also offered."
"Kids see this as a second home filled with peers who know what they are going through."
— Lisa Scherber, Jimmy Fund Clinic
Chemotherapy infusions can take from five minutes to more than five hours, with medicines to prevent nausea and other side effects given beforehand. (About 80 percent of children treated at DFCI are on clinical trials to test new therapies, well above the share of adults in such studies.) If a child needs extended chemotherapy or develops complications, he or she may be admitted next door to Children's Hospital Boston. Radiation treatments are given at nearby Brigham and Women's Hospital.
The Jimmy Fund Clinic continually looks for ways to strengthen its services. A group of doctors, nurses, and other staff members meets weekly to improve operations, and a complete renovation is being planned to enhance the clinic's efficiency and appearance. Helping with these efforts is the Pediatric Patient and Family Advisory Council. Composed of parents, patients, and staff from DFCI and Children's, the council has been working to ease the transition at the end of a young patient's treatment, among other projects.
"Pulling back from the Jimmy Fund Clinic when your treatment is done can be very traumatic," notes council Co-Chair Nancy Stratton, whose son received care for a brain tumor in 1996. "There's such a bond that develops between staff and families. It's very hard to separate."
- ext: Highs and lows
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