RESUMO
Although pediatric cancer treatment has been reviewed by several authors, the lived experiences of children undergoing this process have seldom been discussed in the literature. The data for this article were obtained from a larger qualitative study that provided a collective view of the pediatric cancer experience at San Jorge Children's Hospital in Puerto Rico. In this article, findings that are directly related to the hospitalization process of these young patients are described, including the hospital as a safe haven, dealing with pain, taking control, and thriving in adversity. These findings provide a rationale for the development of a biopsychosocial model of health that emphasizes reciprocal interactions among the biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions that influence health.