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.