Recently by Gail Goodwin

I've been an MD Anderson patient for close to three years and, in spite of it all, I've continued with our annual Christmas explosion. There's never been anything left undone ― from gifts for all, to decorations everywhere, to special goodies in the kitchen. Here's a secret: it hasn't always been fun.

Last year, my son and his wife gave me one of the best gifts ever. I walked in the back door after our trek home from a Dallas Thanksgiving and discovered a note on our kitchen door: "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"

That was news to me. But when I walked inside, I soon understood what the message meant.

The 12 large plastic tubs full of decorations that live in my attic were now in the laundry room. I walked into the living room and found the Christmas tree with the lights sparkling and all ready to go.

What a present! Still working through the fatigue of my cancer, I hadn't been certain how I would get everything ready for the holidays. Having that shining tree up gave me the motivation I needed and we had a Christmas to remember.

Now, the months have rolled around and, once again, it's the most wonderful time of the year. My fatigue is much better, but my right hip is not. I've decided to give myself a present.

Continue reading The Guilt-free Goodwin Christmas.

There were princesses and transformers, ladybugs and cowboys wandering the halls of MD Anderson last week. If any of them jumped out and said "BOO!," we hope it didn't scare you.

The annual Fall Festival, sponsored by the Department of Volunteer Services, was the source of the fun. But coordinators of the festival report that this was a true collaboration of individuals and departments from across MD Anderson.

Pediatric patients in the Children's Cancer Hospital were decked out in funny, silly and sometimes even spooky costumes to get an early start on Halloween trick or treating.

The event began with a dual parade, one leaving from the Robin Bush Child and Adolescent Clinic and the other from the Children's Cancer Hospital inpatient floor. Employees lined the hospital hallways and were ready to fill pumpkins, bags and little hands with sweet treats.

Employees offered every variety of candy to the pedi paraders. Tootsie Pops, Snickers, Milk Duds, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Hot Tamales, M&M's, Jolly Ranchers, Hershey's Kisses, Jelly Beans, Skittles, Starburst Fruit Chews -- does your stomach hurt yet? This was trick or treat paradise.

Continue reading A Festival of Fun.

They weren't playing that song, but you could tell by the big smiles on every face that they were all celebrating.

Marking September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, almost 300 pediatric cancer survivors and their caregivers gathered to honor the occasion, along with faculty and staff from MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital. The event was held Sept 10 at the John P. McGovern Health and Medical Science Museum in Houston.

Highlighting the evening was a special presentation of medals to the survivors. After an introduction about the Childhood Cancer Survivors Clinic in the Children's Cancer Hospital by Joann Ater, M.D., Child Life Director Kate Shamszad called out the honoree names. Ater gave the medals to  the survivors to much applause from the crowd. Cesar Nunez, M.D., closed the ceremony with some heartfelt words about surviving cancer.

Tree of Life
Another feature of the event was the debut of the Tree of Life, which was created by more than 300 Children's Cancer Hospital patients and their siblings over the course of a year. Ian Cion, artist-in-residence for the hospital, guided the children to make flowers, birds, bugs and grass, as well as the tree itself.

Continue reading I Will Survive!.

High hopes and high fashion strutted their stuff at the recent MD Anderson Children's Art Project 2011 Holiday Collection kickoff celebration at The Galleria in Houston.

It was Simon Fashion Now Week at The Galleria and the Children's Art Project joined in to introduce its new holiday line of cards and gifts.

On this day, however, the designers of the Children's Art Project products took center stage. Thirteen young current and former cancer patients did their part to highlight the Children's Art Project and National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Each designer was introduced by a local media personality before receiving a trophy and then making the traditional walk down the runway to show off their award. The audience learned a little about each designer, whose interests range from playing in the school band, to video games to one young lady who explained that she likes to create fancy fingernail designs and bottle cap bracelets.

Award-winning artists
Emily Freeman sported a fashionable soft green chapeau that she brought back as a souvenir from her Make-A-Wish trip to Paris. Emily, who was presented with the Autumn Wonder Award for her beautiful Autumn Tree design, was eager to express her thanks to the Children's Art Project for its support during her treatment.

Continue reading Children's Art Project Designers Take to the Runway.

In April 2000, 7-year-old Megan Evans moved from ballet lessons, gymnastics and Rollerblades into the more serious world of pediatric cancer.

Diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, she began treatment for her cancer and spent a semester in the MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital elementary school classroom. During that time, Megan was introduced to the Children's Art Project and has since been a CAP designer numerous times.

A fashionista at heart, Megan's hats became her major wardrobe accessory. To show support, her school held a monthly "hat day" until Megan was ready to take off her own head covering.

Even after completing treatment, Megan remained involved with the Children's Cancer Hospital. She never missed a summer at Camp Star Trails and Camp A.O.K., returning to Star Trails for several years as a counselor.

Continue reading Megan Evans: A Pediatric Cancer Survivor on Her Toes.

Gail Goodwin, program manager in External Communications at MD Anderson, is a survivor of a stage III oligodendroglioma, a rare malignant brain tumor. She is grateful for her "dream team" in the MD Anderson Brain and Spine Center -- specifically, her surgeon Jeffrey Weinberg, M.D., who was one of the conference chairs, and her oncologist Charles Conrad, M.D., who spoke at the conference.

Two years ago, when I was only a few weeks out of brain surgery, I was waiting in the Brain and Spine Center, and someone came by with information about a brain tumor conference. Since my entire situation was still a little much for me to comprehend, I said maybe next time.

Next time did come. Together in Hope, a conference for brain tumor patients and their families, was held this May 20-22. Once again, the Brain and Spine Center at MD Anderson and the National Brain Tumor Society teamed up to provide patients and their caregivers information on:

• pathology
• surgery
• the newest treatment strategies
• what current research advances can mean for future therapies

Continue reading Together in Hope...There's truth in that phrase.

I'm a survivor.

That's a bold statement to make when I'm just a little more than two years out from brain surgery. But according to the American Cancer Society, you and your caregivers are survivors from the day of your diagnosis. So, I'll take that definition and celebrate.

I hope that all survivors will join me as MD Anderson observes National Survivorship Day with an entire week of events and activities, June 4-10. This is held in conjunction with National Cancer Survivors Day, which occurs annually on the first Sunday in June in hundreds of communities worldwide to celebrate survivors and their caregivers.  

A week's worth of activities
The celebration kicks off with a police-escorted Ride for Life on Saturday, June 4. Sponsored by Riders for the Cure, this event supports Anderson Network's annual September Survivorship Conference for patients and caregivers.

When you visit MD Anderson June 6-10, you'll be aware that something special is going on. Large, brightly-colored balloon sculptures will be scattered around the hospital and clinic buildings, and pins to commemorate the week will be given to all survivors and caregivers.

From activities such as origami, collage and balloon twisting to special seminars on using makeup to make a difference, weight changes after cancer treatment, and learning that caregivers are survivors, too, the week is chock full of fun and entertainment.

You can try pilates, NIA dance play, two kinds of yoga and Kundalini meditation -- and then schedule a massage to just relax.

Stop by for a scarf-tying demonstration, learn relaxation techniques using music, and attend an expressive writing session led by one of the authors of "Chicken Soup for the Soul."

Continue reading Celebrate Being a Cancer Survivor.

What do you say when someone asks you how you're doing? What's the correct way to respond? Do they really want to know or is this just a rhetorical question?

Most of us do this all the time. We pass colleagues in the hallway, we run into friends at the store, we see acquaintances at a meeting. It's just natural. We say, "How are you?"

But since I've been in treatment for cancer, I'm never quite sure how I should respond to this question. Do they really want to know or is this just polite chit chat?

Do they want me to tell them how I'm truly feeling -- that my latest medicine makes my legs hurt, that my feet ache and that I'm so very tired? Are they actually interested in the fact that my lips are chapped and that my skin feels stretched across my face?

Continue reading How Are You?.

Polo, which has been referred to as the "Game of Kings," was probably first played by nomadic warriors more than 2,000 years ago. Imagine what those warriors would have thought about the annual Polo on the Prairie tournament that has been played on the Musselman Brothers' Lazy 3 Ranch near Albany, Texas, for the past 25 years.

As a first-timer at the event, I was amazed at the entire spectacle. From Friday evening's delightful fish fry on a beautiful green lawn to the real-deal polo game and barbecue dinner on Saturday, Polo on the Prairie was a weekend of tradition for many supporters of MD Anderson.

This was a landmark year for Polo because it turned 25. Over the years, the event has spread the news of MD Anderson's top-rated patient care and research and has also honored those whose lives have been touched by cancer.

Continue reading Dust Off Your Boots for Polo on the Prairie.

Throughout the year, pediatric cancer patients spend time creating their own unique art designs, using vibrant colors and a steady hand. Upon completion, their designs are featured on a wide variety of stationery and gift items, with sale proceeds supporting patient-focused programs at MD Anderson.

The Children's Art Project Valentine Collection combines each artist's creative gusto with a brand new line of products. For the children, each collection is an opportunity to reveal their exciting work and inspire us with their dedication and spirit.

The "Black Hearts" design, created by Noura, 11, of the United Arab Emirates, is one of the pieces in the current Valentine Collection that is generating a lot of interest. It features pink and red watercolor hearts set against a bold black background. The use of color makes it seem as if the hearts are ready to jump off of the paper. This design can be found on the new iPhone covers and several stationery items.

The Valentine Collection also introduces a new addition to Children's Art Project jewelry line. The "Domino Necklace" is a distinctive piece featuring various heart designs surrounded by crystal accents. Three styles are available including "Black Hearts," "Silver Heart" and "Open Hearts." The artwork on the pieces was developed by Fadila, 10, of Egypt, Taylor, 9, of Alabama, and Noura, who is responsible for the "Black Hearts" artwork.

Another popular item is the "Kids Valentine" collection. Each set contains 32 colorful fold-over cards featuring eight designs, complete with a place to write in the name of its lucky recipient. This longtime favorite provides a great overview of the different styles of each child's artwork.

With each new product and collection, the real significance is the young patients who spread optimism and love, and isn't that what Valentine's Day is all about.

Where to find Children's Art Project gifts
Houston shoppers can find items at area grocery stores and other retail establishments, the Children's Art Project Boutique in the Uptown Park Shopping Center and at all four MD Anderson gift shops.

Products are also available online at www.childrensart.org or by calling 800-231-1580 to place an order or receive a free catalog. 

Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MDAndersonChildrensArtProject.

You should never say that things are getting boring because sure enough, they'll change on you.

For 18 months of treatment for brain cancer, I've had the same routine of bimonthly lab work and monthly chemo with an MRI and visit with my oncologist every other month. The report is generally the same: the scans look good, you should walk more and eat less. But, you always know there's a chance that there will be different news the next time.

Last month I went so far as to say that this brain cancer business was getting boring and guess what happened ... suddenly, it wasn't so boring any more. At my doctor's appointment, I knew right off the bat that something was amiss because my blood pressure was low -- so low that they took it again on the other arm. Then, the report came that my blood counts were low, too.

After 30 years of high blood pressure, all of a sudden here was a doctor advising me to eat salt and cheese and red meat. No one has ever said that to me. I celebrated with potato chips! I paid for it with very swollen feet and, once again, high blood pressure.

The doc kept an eye on me with frequent blood draws and reports that things were going even lower. Last week I got the news that even after a month of waiting and lots of vitamins, my bone marrow was sending me a message -- time to go off the chemo. I had managed to take 16 of the recommended 24 rounds. Now I was being put on a maintenance program of Accutane.

Yes, Accutane -- the same medicine that many teens take for acne. My oncologist assured me that I would be taking a much higher dose than those teens. But the good news would be that, after suffering through extremely dry skin, I would eventually have skin like porcelain, the kind that everyone would want to touch -- no matter that I kinda thought my skin looked OK already. And, being over 60, I wasn't too excited about having people touch it, either.

I asked how long I would be taking the Accutane and my oncologist replied that he had patients who had been on it for more than a decade. A decade? I was counting on being finished with all of this by next April.

So, things aren't boring any more. I'll be meeting face-to-face with my oncologist soon to receive more information. Maybe I'll even be able to recommend a great brand of skin lotion to everyone.

But, mostly, my advice is to never get cocky and announce that your cancer treatment is boring. The fact is, it's necessary. If you're blessed with good reports, thank your lucky stars and the God who watches over you -- all while keeping your big mouth shut!

Read other post by Gail Goodwin