We are Happy to Help...at Georgetown University Medical School with Dr. Aziza Shad

A couple of weeks ago our family was asked to join Dr. Shad on her Hematologic Disorders lecture to second year medical students at Georgetown University Medical School in Washington DC. It's like, ahem, "going home" when in or near the hospital, but this was a blessed occasion to enhance (or add color commentary, if you will) the lecture about Late Effects with Ryan's/our family's journey, or Survivorship Care, of Childhood Cancer.

Dr. Shad did her most articulate task of lecturing on the very sobering statistics on Childhood Cancer, as well as the Late Effects that truly effect about 75% of survivors. Ryan and our family are living proof that these services and Late Effect Clinics are definitely needed for the masses of children surviving and thriving into adulthood today.

Our team panel of Dr. Shad, Ryan, and I set the bar for students to ask questions, and for Ryan and I to give them a small "glimpse" into our lives today. (I had previously given the lecture hall a brief synopsis of our story at the top of the hour.) But you know who really knocked it out of the park? Ryan! He was truly amazing in sharing his story with kids his own age sitting in that hall as second year medical students...most of them about 24 years of old, same as Ryan. He then had them on their feet with his straight talk from the heart that included his feelings, his friendships, the Special Love Camps he loves so dearly, his education, and his medical needs in 2018. He was swarmed by many afterwards to thank him for being so frank in his disclosures, including one male student that Ryan went to high school with that no idea about Ryan's journey while they were in school...until today.

It was one of the most powerful moments to witness with my son "teaching" others of his vast experience as a five-time cancer survivor, and I was one proud Mama Bear of his moving answers to the questions posed to him. I am/we are also extremely proud of who Ryan has become today, as it was so evident in how he handled himself this morning and was: "happy to help!"  From this poignant day, we can hope that perhaps one of the students gleaned something in their educational journey today that will stick with them as they become the medical doctors of the future.

BSoleille! The bright side of making the most of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!

Terri