HEALTH CARE
Hospital has childcare for parents fighting cancer
February 15, 2010
Andrea Gordon
FAMILY ISSUES REPORTER
Nathan Smyth's paintbrush is poised in the air. His tongue pokes out in concentration as he applies the last stroke to his masterpiece.
To an adult eye, the sea of brown paint may be a mystery. But to this 3-year-old, it's clear what his imagination has wrought. "Look, a palm tree!" he announces, before bee-lining to the dress-up area to wriggle into a fireman's uniform.
This is the Magic Castle at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, a free childcare service for children whose parents or other family members are receiving cancer treatment. It's a tiny oasis tucked between the patient library and gift shop off the bustling hospital lobby. Just follow the dinosaur tracks to the large windows adorned with artwork.
Today, with his parents looking on, Nathan is king of the Magic Castle. He zooms around with trucks, wields chalk, chats with a 4-year-old playmate about the merits of Tinkerbell.
Now and then he pauses for a smile from early childhood educator Eleanor Szakacs. For six years, she's tended this haven of imagination and play, while upstairs parents confront the reality of cancer.
For Nathan's parents, Heather and Jeff Smyth of Pickering, the Magic Castle is a gift beyond measure. Heather, 35, was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia 11 years ago. Biopsies, scans, and oncology checkups have been part of her life. So has chemotherapy.
In November, a bone marrow transplant kept her in isolation for weeks and in hospital more than a month.
Through it all, she draws comfort knowing her son is just floors away immersed in make-believe or cuddled up with Szakacs for a story.
"We have family and friends who would take Nathan every time," says Heather.
"But this is part of our routine. He knows our doctors and nurses. Cancer isn't strange for him, it's part of what we do... He has literally been coming here all his life."
With Nathan in his castle, the Smyths focus on appointments and treatments. During their weekly visits, Jeff can pop down to take him for lunch.
"It's a huge stress reliever for us to know he's just downstairs and he's well taken care of," says Jeff, 39, a youth worker.
Over the years, hundreds of families have relied on the Magic Castle, launched in 1996 by a former patient who had gone through the anxiety of needing childcare during her treatment.
A partnership between the hospital and non-profit childcare provider MotherCraft, it's paid for through the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation's fundraising efforts. There are hopes to expand the service, but even at the best of times, scrambling for money is a challenge.
The future of the Magic Castle was recently in jeopardy, until a donor came forward.
It's a small but critical support for families dealing with cancer, says Dr. Gary Rodin, head of psychosocial oncology and palliative care.
"Per square foot, I think it's one of the most valuable things we do."
Szakacs, who has won awards for her work at the Magic Castle, says the resource is especially important to parents without extended family or friends to look after their children, or who can't afford a babysitter.
Most of all, it makes a difference to kids.
"It gives the children a sense of helping and being involved in the process," says Szakacs. "They come to the hospital and see there's a caring place for them, and they can be part of it."
The Magic Castle is open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to children of anyone visiting patients. For advance registration call 416-946-4501 ext. 5157.
Toronto Star
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