CLL patient: Observations from an MD Anderson waiting area
As I sit here near MD Anderson's Sundial landmark watching people come and go, I see one thing they have in common: hope. A woman just came in holding her young son's arm, his legs moving in an uncoordinated lurch. They come here hoping for a miracle. An older gentleman is leaving, oxygen tank cradled on the back of his wheelchair helping him to breath. With help, he gets into a car, hoping for a cure.
People come from all over...
How my ovarian cancer diagnosis strengthened my marriage
2012 promised to be a great year for me. I was graduating from college in May and marrying the man of my dreams in the fall. But at the end...
Tips for traveling to MD Anderson for cancer treatment
I'm pretty accustomed to Transportation Security Administration agents, little clear bags with less than 3.2 oz. of fluid, pat downs, bag...
6 ways to cope with chemobrain
You might forget an appointment, or where you last saw your car keys. Or you might struggle with remembering the name of an acquaintance you run into at the grocery store. Sometimes after chemotherapy, people experience side effects of cancer treatment including "foggy" moments or lapses in memory that can be frustrating, particularly since it can linger for a few months to long after chemotherapy is complete. Chemobrain can...
Choosing to live in hope: Watching my dad battle oral cancer twice
About two years ago my dad was diagnosed with what we thought was terminal oral cancer. The day before Christmas 2011, we were told he had...
Six things caregivers can do while visiting MD Anderson
Like cancer patients, caregivers are subject to stress throughout their loved ones' cancer treatments. Taking time to participate in...
Why one prostate cancer patient traveled across the country for proton therapy
Doug Neal didn't waste a moment. After his prostate cancer diagnosis, he started researching, determined to find the best treatment. He talked...
Finding the silver lining after my dad's AML diagnosis
When my mom and dad called me downstairs to talk, I rolled my eyes. My grades hadn't been as good as they should have been my second semester...
How a dog helped me through my melanoma treatment
I'm a dog person. When I moved out of my parents' house to go to college, I really wanted to get a dog of my own, but it just wasn...
Advice for couples from cancer caregivers and survivors
CT scans and chemotherapy sessions don't exactly make great dates. Coping with cancer treatment can be hard on couples, as it introduces new...