Childhood Cancer Postcards: The Final Days of Egleston

Phin outside Egleston in August, 2024

The old Egleston Children's Hospital at Emory is a ghost town now, abandoned since patients were transferred to the new Arthur M. Blank Children's Hospital last September. Among the nurses and technicians we met while Phin was there in summer 2024, during what we called "the evacuation stage," rumors swirled about what would become of the sprawling complex. Many told us in no uncertain terms that the place was in bad shape, but as the date of the big move to the new children's hospital approached, we watched it enter a phase of accelerated crumbling. Lights would burn out and stay dark. Elevators would break and nobody would come to fix them. A collective attitude of "abandon ship" prevailed all around.   

But not everywhere.

Outside the cafeteria, there was a large forested area with strong Hundred Acre Woods vibes created by winding walkways meandering beneath looming trees and lush terraces. 

Only once was Phin able to explore this place, although he passed it many times on his way to and from the bone marrow clinic. It happened a week or so before we left for home. Phin, his grandfather, and I stopped for drinks at the cafe inside and decided to check it out before heading back to the Ronald McDonald House. 

What we found there reminded us that wonder can open up even in places that are closing down.

The tiny door Phin noticed was hidden away from everyone except those confined within the children's hospital. Now, it's hidden away from all. 

I'm glad Phin found it when he did.