How I turned my kidney and brain cancer diagnoses into something meaningful
When I was diagnosed with kidney cancer at age 29, I thought I had a life-changing story to tell. I was enjoying a great career and my young, growing family in Austin, Texas. When my doctor called and said I had a very large mass, I didn’t even know what that meant. I traveled to MD Anderson in Houston, where Dr. Surena Matin removed a butternut squash-sized tumor from my kidney, leaving me with a big scar on my abdomen. Four months later...
Ovarian cancer survivor: How I’ve managed stage IV cancer for 10 years
After my first ovarian cancer recurrence in January 2009, I figured longevity was probably not in the cards for me. Because once stage III...
Personalized acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment let me stay true to my faith
When I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia — a type of blood cancer — I knew that my case was going to be a tough one. As one...
Leukemia diagnosis gives basketball player Andrew Jones a new perspective
Andrew Jones was a rising star on The University of Texas men's basketball team in late 2017, when he started experiencing flu-like symptoms. Thinking it was just a virus, the sophomore guard pushed himself to keep playing until a broken wrist finally forced him onto the sidelines. But the symptoms persisted, even after Andrew’s wrist healed and he’d returned to the basketball court.
“I just thought I had the flu,” Andrew —...
Why I’m grateful for Texas’ Tobacco 21 legislation
I first became aware of MD Anderson when my dear friend, James Ragan, of blessed memory, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 13....
My advice to other patients: Focus on today
I am a strong, athletic, never-been-sick type of person. I am also very career-driven. So when I was diagnosed with stage IV squamous cell...
Pregnant brain tumor patient finds answers, comfort at MD Anderson
Kylie Temple knew from a young age that she loved kids. As a NICU nurse in Mississippi, Kylie spends her days around infants, and in 2015,...
5 things I learned from my non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment
In late 2014, I was diagnosed with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. At the time, I had no idea what that would...
5 lessons I learned during tonsil cancer treatment
MD Anderson is a very humbling place. When I was there for my tonsil cancer treatments in late 2016 and early 2017, I’d always see someone...
Why I chose MD Anderson for breast cancer treatment
When I was diagnosed with stage IB invasive ductal carcinoma — a type of breast cancer — in at age 36, my husband and I were clueless as to...
Mother knows best: Motherly advice that shaped our doctors
A mother’s nurturing love and support can help guide a child – or adult – to great things. Mother’s Day is an opportunity to recognize and...
Nurse creates art to help childhood cancer patients through treatment
It takes more than Band-Aids with cartoon characters to put children receiving cancer treatment at ease, but Leo Flores knows how.
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HER2-positive breast cancer survivor: I believe in MD Anderson
Jennifer Smith didn’t come to MD Anderson first for her breast cancer treatment, but she wishes she had. After she’d undergone treatment at...
10-year glioblastoma survivor: Get busy living
Rare. Unusual. Anomaly. All of these words are synonymous with being a long-term glioblastoma survivor. All statistical data suggests that...
Why I involved my kids in oral cancer recovery
When I was diagnosed with stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, a type of oral cancer, my husband and I tried to be as open and...