'I think you are pretty; i don't know why everyone can't see that': reflections from a young adult brain tumor survivor camp.

摘要

Little in my 33 years as a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner prepared me to participate in the Heads-Up Conference held at Camp Mak-A-Dream in Gold Creek, MT, last summer. Thirty young adult survivors (18 to 25 years of age) of pediatric brain tumors gathered for education on late effects of therapy, mutual support, and recreation. Attendees came from all over the United States and had been treated at a number of centers. Most received multi-modality therapy, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. I attended to facilitate small group discussions and to instruct survivors about health promotion. But instead of teaching, I became the student.