Children's Memorial is committed to treating the whole child, and quality-of-life is a major concern. At the Hospital's Falk Brain Tumor Center, radiation and chemo sessions can have devastating side effects. To judge whether the treatments are too harsh for a kid to bear, the staff needs to know about the child's daily life. Allison Cieslak has fought brain cancer for 5 years. Her treatments always include a chat about school and activities. The care team listens carefully for clues that her therapy is too intensive – or that she could handle more. The head of Allison's care team, Dr. Stewart Goldman, is engaged in research to find less destructive therapies. "I haven't seen a 'Eureka!' yet," he says, "but I've seen a lot of good steps in the right direction." While research offers long-term hope, the Hospital also provides short-term help. When Therapy Ends After half a lifetime being treated for a tumor, how will a teen's life change? CONTINUE Communicating With a Critically Ill Child Find parenting strategies and age-appropriate discussion tips for talking and living with a child who's ill. CONTINUE Meet the staff and see hospital resources. MORE