Imagine this. You've just recently had a chemotherapy treatment, but in order to go home from the hospital you have to convince the doctors you can keep some food down. Your room service tray arrives, and you have to pick up the menu and read it to identify the food on your plate. That never quite convinced me to eat when I was sick!
Like I said in my last post, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has come a long way since 1982! Here is a run down of M.D. Anderson's current food services.
Cafe Anderson is located on the 1st floor of the Main Building where it has always been. But now instead of the smell of day-old coffee it smells pleasantly of fresh Starbucks coffee and good food! :) They provide cold and hot entrees, sandwiches to order, pizzas, soups, grill items, a salad bar, and desserts. AND...they have their very own Chick-fil-A! Hours are weekdays 6am-8:30pm, and weekends 7am-7:30pm.
Waterfall Cafe is located on the 2nd floor of the ACB building. They provide hot entrees, sandwiches, soups, salads, and more. Hours are Weekdays 6:30am-3pm.
The Oaks is located in The Rotary House Hotel. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offers a full buffet for breakfast and lunch. An a la carte menu is also offered. The food here is excellent! I love the French Onion Soup!
Deli and Grab-n-Go are also located in The Rotary House. At the Deli you can make a selection from the hot food line or shop in the convenience store. At Grab-n-Go, you can build your own salad, get hot nachos or a freshly made po-boy. Deli hours: Mon-Thurs-7am-10:30pm, Friday 7am-8pm, Saturday 12-8pm, Sunday 12-8:30pm. Grab-n-Go hours: Mon-Fri - 10am-3pm.
Starbucks is located in The Rotary House. I think we all know about this wonderful coffee bar! It is open Mon-Fri 6am-5pm.
There are also 3 coffee bars featuring Starbucks. They are:
Cafe 24/7 is located in the Main Building next to Cafe Anderson. They also feature Smoothie King smoothies. As the name implies they are open 24 hours a day.
Espresso in The Park is located on the 2nd floor of the Main Building near The Park. Hours are Weekdays 7am-3:30pm.
Cool Beans Cafe and Bakery is located on the 2nd floor of the CPB building near The Star. Hours are 6:30am-5pm.
M.D. Anderson also offers room service to their patients and guests. Guest meals must be paid for in cash. Hours are 6:30am-9:30pm.
The Jolly Trolley has been around since my time at M.D. Anderson and even longer. It is a snack cart that is brought all around the hospital during the daytime hours by our wonderful volunteers. They offer fruit juices, soft drinks, sandwiches, and snacks.
M.D. Anderson has definitely made some major improvements in the area of food service. Now there are places to eat in a lot more locations on campus, and the quality of the food is so much better! There are so many choices now. If you're up for a nice dinner go to The Oaks. Not in the mood for heavy food? Grab a sandwich or a salad at Cafe Anderson or Waterfall Cafe. Need a coffee fix? Visit one of 4 locations on campus featuring Starbucks! And maybe while you're waiting to get x-rays taken, and you get a bad case of the munchies The Jolly Trolley might pass your way. No more excuses folks! It's time to eat and go home!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
About M.D. Anderson Cancer Center...
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has grown so much in the last 25 years since I was being treated there. I remember in 1982 I was completely overwhelmed by the antiseptic smell that slapped me in the face as soon as the automatic doors opened. It felt like such a cold and uninviting place, and it scared me to death!
I am happy to say that M.D. Anderson is absolutely amazing now! It is absolutely beautiful with it's remodeled main building, added new buildings, sculptures, fountains, fish tanks, and more. But I realize I am comparing it to 1982 when I was there. To a new patient it can be extremely overwhelming to find your way around the place! I still get lost myself from time to time.
There are many new buildings, and it's like being on a college campus. Well folks...you are on part of The University of Texas Medical Branch campus. There is the Main Building, The Ambulatory Care Building (ACB), The Cancer Prevention Building (CPB), The Rotary House, The Faculty Center, and so many different clinics it's enough to make your head spin!
So here is what I can offer you to help ease your mind about navigating M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and to make your time there less stressful.
First of all, when you are given a schedule of your daily procedures it tells you exactly which building and which clinic to go to for each one.
Second, there are automated machines all over the campus. They have touch screens and you just tell it where you need to go and it will tell you how to get there. You can print out a copy of the instructions as well.
Third, there are information desks in every building. Working at these desks you will usually find are wonderful M.D. Anderson Volunteers. They are there to help you! Always feel free to ask them for help. You never have to feel embarrassed, and they understand that it takes time to learn the lay of the land. The volunteers are there out of the goodness of their heart , and because they want to be there.
And just for good measure let me add that other patients and their families understand what it's like to be new to the hospital too. They will usually be more than happy to help you if you ask. Remember that at some point they were new patients too.
There is also a patient transportation system. If you are unable to walk all the way from one building to another simply go to the 3rd floor and take the patient shuttle on the sky bridge. They also offer the use of wheelchairs if you need it.
M.D. Anderson has transformed into a beautiful place that is much more patient friendly, and doesn't smell like too much alcohol and betadine anymore. Don't let the size of the place overwhelm you. Use the resources they offer patients, and you will find it's really not so scary after all.
To learn more about M.D. Anderson Cancer Center visit the link to the right on this page.
I am happy to say that M.D. Anderson is absolutely amazing now! It is absolutely beautiful with it's remodeled main building, added new buildings, sculptures, fountains, fish tanks, and more. But I realize I am comparing it to 1982 when I was there. To a new patient it can be extremely overwhelming to find your way around the place! I still get lost myself from time to time.
There are many new buildings, and it's like being on a college campus. Well folks...you are on part of The University of Texas Medical Branch campus. There is the Main Building, The Ambulatory Care Building (ACB), The Cancer Prevention Building (CPB), The Rotary House, The Faculty Center, and so many different clinics it's enough to make your head spin!
So here is what I can offer you to help ease your mind about navigating M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and to make your time there less stressful.
First of all, when you are given a schedule of your daily procedures it tells you exactly which building and which clinic to go to for each one.
Second, there are automated machines all over the campus. They have touch screens and you just tell it where you need to go and it will tell you how to get there. You can print out a copy of the instructions as well.
Third, there are information desks in every building. Working at these desks you will usually find are wonderful M.D. Anderson Volunteers. They are there to help you! Always feel free to ask them for help. You never have to feel embarrassed, and they understand that it takes time to learn the lay of the land. The volunteers are there out of the goodness of their heart , and because they want to be there.
And just for good measure let me add that other patients and their families understand what it's like to be new to the hospital too. They will usually be more than happy to help you if you ask. Remember that at some point they were new patients too.
There is also a patient transportation system. If you are unable to walk all the way from one building to another simply go to the 3rd floor and take the patient shuttle on the sky bridge. They also offer the use of wheelchairs if you need it.
M.D. Anderson has transformed into a beautiful place that is much more patient friendly, and doesn't smell like too much alcohol and betadine anymore. Don't let the size of the place overwhelm you. Use the resources they offer patients, and you will find it's really not so scary after all.
To learn more about M.D. Anderson Cancer Center visit the link to the right on this page.
Monday, May 14, 2007
It's All About Attitude...
Let's face it...having a doctor look you in the eye and tell you that you have cancer feels like an Ali punch to your gut! I was only 11 years old and I remember Dr. Norman Jaffe saying the words...Osteosarcoma...cancer...chemotherapy, and I just lost it! Of course I went to pieces! I was devastated and scared! But shortly after that I knew I had a decision to make. Was I going to feel sorry for myself and wallow in self-pity, or was I going to stand up and fight it? This raises the question of prognosis. In 1982 the chances were a mere 20% for survival. But the way I looked at it was that 20% isn't 0...I had a shot and I was going for it! My maternal grandmother survived uterine cancer in the 1950's with nothing but surgery and radiation. She was a statistical anomaly...she wasn't expected to live...but she was a fighter! I told myself if she could do it then I could too! Statistics are just numbers that change everyday. Think about it. When the weatherman says there is a 20% chance of rain, and it doesn't rain...the percentage changes positively! If you are one more that survives cancer...the prognosis improves!
While a diagnosis of cancer will probably mean certain, and maybe even significant changes in your life, it doesn't mean your life is over! You have to make that choice in your mind and in your heart! Even if the type of cancer you have is terminal you have to chose how you will live the rest of your days. Have a listen to the song "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw. The refrain says, "I went sky diving, I went Rocky Mountain climbing, I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Manchu. And I loved deeper, and I spoke sweeter, and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying. And he said "Someday I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying"."
So no matter what your diagnosis or your prognosis keep your chin up and live each day to the fullest! Here is a link about a lung cancer survivor who has the right attitude! She is amazing! Have a look!
Cancer survivor skis to North Pole
I leave you with this scripture from 2 Timothy 4:7. It is the scripture I have been quoting since the day I finished my treatments and walked out of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center alive. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith".
My best to all of you out there in your own fight. You can do it...just believe...
While a diagnosis of cancer will probably mean certain, and maybe even significant changes in your life, it doesn't mean your life is over! You have to make that choice in your mind and in your heart! Even if the type of cancer you have is terminal you have to chose how you will live the rest of your days. Have a listen to the song "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw. The refrain says, "I went sky diving, I went Rocky Mountain climbing, I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Manchu. And I loved deeper, and I spoke sweeter, and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying. And he said "Someday I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying"."
So no matter what your diagnosis or your prognosis keep your chin up and live each day to the fullest! Here is a link about a lung cancer survivor who has the right attitude! She is amazing! Have a look!
Cancer survivor skis to North Pole
I leave you with this scripture from 2 Timothy 4:7. It is the scripture I have been quoting since the day I finished my treatments and walked out of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center alive. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith".
My best to all of you out there in your own fight. You can do it...just believe...
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