Tonight's picture was taken in February of 2009. Mattie was in the clinic and his art therapists were asked to design a "Welcome" sign to the pediatric in-patient units. Jenny and Jessie are very creative, so they could easily design a sign without a problem. But they took the creativity one step further. They asked Mattie if he wanted to do a hand print and add it to the sign. That did not interest Mattie AT ALL. So then I suggested what about a foot print of Curious George (the name we gave to Mattie's left foot and leg, because it was his only limb not affected by cancer and therefore his left leg/foot became as useful as a hand)! This photo shows the foot painting process! Mattie loved the whole experience.
Quote of the day: Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's when you've had everything to do, and you've done it. ~ Margaret Thatcher
Two articles came out on-line today highlighting the Psychosocial Standards of Care. I included the links below. In the first article, I love that Mattie's pumpkin photo was featured in the article. In all reality, it was Mattie's cancer experience that inspired us to establish develop evidence based standards of care. Mattie battle showed us that childhood cancer is not just about the medicine and that the psychosocial issues do not end when the treatment does.... both for the child and the family.
When I love about the first article is it states, "Although the interests of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society lie more broadly in addressing the psychological, social, emotional and spiritual needs of all people living with cancer and their family members, its interest in pediatric psychosocial care was fueled by the experience of Vicki and Peter Brown who lost their only child to a very aggressive form of osteosarcoma." I have to say that until I read this, I had no real idea that we were directing the focus of an entire professional association as well. It is truly remarkable how Mattie's cancer was like a pebble hitting water....... in which the waves and ripples are producing measurable psychosocial by-products that will hopefully help other children like Mattie, and families like mine.
I invite you to read these articles. They are short but interesting!
Addressing psychosocial care in childhood cancer
https://www.changetogether.com/oncology/addressing-psychosocial-care-childhood-cancer
The Psychosocial Standards of Care Project for Childhood Cancer
https://www.changetogether.com/resources/best-practices/psychosocial-standards-care-childhood-cancer
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