2 Comments »

trainier2020 said:
My experience at MD Anderson has been wonderful. I have spent a lot of time there beginning April of 2009. It all began with a multitude of tests. Testing my lungs, heart, bone marrow and vast amounts of blood vials were given. This is a bit of a whirlwind and a bit confusing at times. Now that I've been there and done that. I would recommend on these testing days, when you have back to back appointments, you'll be walking from elevator C to elevator A,then back to C, D, etc. getting to each appointment, it can all be frustrating. As with many clinics or doctor's offices they are probably running behind, so set yourself in the chill mode. Take something to do: knitting, a laptop, book, or whatever is your favorite time occupier. This will be one of your toughest days. Oh and be sure to wear clothes that are easy to take off and on. You will be frustrated at the end of the day.
Okay, so you are done and ready to see your doctor. You will find him/her very caring and open to any and all questions. MD Anderson is thorough, dotting all i's and crossing all t's. You will have a nurse assigned to you and her phone number. Mine was Sherry. She is the most amazing person. I would call her freaked out about something or another, she would return my call. Oh and here is THE most amazing thing, your doctor will call you. My doctor, I would love to tell you her name, she deserves big kudos, she would call me. It would shock me. She would call just to say she was thinking about me and wanted to see how I was. Or when I would call Sherry with questions, I would receive a call back from my doctor. How amazing is that!
My doctor is now on medical leave and I have a new doctor temporarily, HE CALLED ME!
I can't even get my nurse at my hometown oncologist to call me back in a timely matter if at all.
From the minute you walk in the front doors you are greeted with open arms, information, and assistance.
My hospital stays were also amazing. Very caring nurses. On one of my stays, I was visiting with my nurse, I told her I had just begun to knit and loved it. The next day, she brought in needles and a ball of yarn and helped me get started. Now I am a mad knitter!
You know what they say about hospital food. MD Anderson has a service where you can order anything you want (off of the menu) from 7 am to 7 pm. You are not forced to eat when they plop the tray on your bed stand. Plus they are in black tie. I'm not saying the food is four star, and honestly when I was in the hospital getting chemo and the stem cell transplants, NOTHING sounded or tasted good.
After my first transplant, when I was released to go home, I had separation anxiety, I broke down in tears, I didn't know why at the time, but it was separation anxiety.
Okay so I am a big fan of MD Anderson!
Oh and my third transplant (allo) was approved by MD Anderson. They are now saving my life! It can't get any better than that!
# 20 October 2010 at 10:05 pm

Hugh said:
I could not improve on this person's fine description of MD Anderson Cancer Center, except to add that all of this rings true of me as well. I am a 66 year old male and had the same feelings.
Interesting to hear that you will be having a third transplant as next month I will too. Good luck to you with that!
Hugh
# 21 February 2011 at 5:35 pm