Recently by Gail Goodwin

I've been an employee at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for almost 10 years. Not long after I began working here, I learned about the well-woman exams given through the Cancer Prevention Center - a mammogram, a pap smear and a good ol' general going-over was included, along with the bonus of an official blue M. D. Anderson patient card. At that time, it seemed to me that this card might be a handy thing to have in my hip pocket - just in case, you know.

Really and truly, I never dreamed that it would be me who would become an "employee with cancer." Why on earth would something like that happen to a nice girl like me? I had no notion that it ever would, but sure enough, it did.

In truth, it wasn't that coveted blue card that got me in the doors of M. D. Anderson. It was just a simple call for an appointment. Rumor has it that it's impossible to become a patient in this cancer center, but I'm here to tell you that this isn't so.

If you have cancer, and I will always pray that this doesn't happen to you, M. D. Anderson is the place you want to be. M. D. Anderson is currently (and consistently) ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 cancer center in the country - really in the world. M. D. Anderson knows all about cancer - the doctors, nurses and other staff here will give you the latest and greatest treatments available. Bottom line, you can count on M. D. Anderson.

I must be honest, my cancer journey has definitely been paved by my many friends here at the institution. But, it's an entirely different experience to walk through the front doors of Clark Clinic as a patient versus as an employee.

I'll never forget the first time I did that. I was greeted by a volunteer who I loved. She threw her arms out wide to hug me and said, "Ohhhhhhhh, Gail." I walked a few steps forward and ran into my favorite UT policeman, James. "Miss Gail, what's this I've been hearing about you?" he asked. Then, the other person in the elevator on the ride up to the Brain and Spine Clinic was another friend. My family was astonished and couldn't believe that I knew all of these people. M. D. Anderson is a huge place, you see.

But, if you want to know the truth, M. D. Anderson is a warm, caring family. The folks here usually take care of you like one of their own. Like I said before, brain cancer was never something that I expected to happen to me, but it's been a great way to expand my list of loved ones.

Renowned artist Peter Max will donate a custom portrait to benefit the Children's Art Project at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Peter Max, who capitalized on the psychedelic '60s and is still painting today, loves to combine his passions for painting and astronomy. In November, he will jet his way to the Off the Wall Gallery in the Houston Galleria where a special selection of his recent works, "Colors of a Better World," will be on display.

Max, who was born in Germany, still finds himself fascinated by his original interest in the universe and astronomy. He explains that the comparison of the size of a person to the size of the earth is an incredible thought. "I'm just amazed at this universe and still wonder how it happened," he says.

However, a chance invitation to attend art school got in the way of his desire to be an astronomer. "I went to art school and got the bug," Max explains. However, his artwork is filled with suns and moons and stars, all astronomical images.

Based in New York City, Max says that he can't wait to get to work each morning and always hates to leave. Fortunately, he lives near his studio where he comes in daily to paint.

Along the way, Max also discovered his philanthropic side. To that end, he's donating the painting of a custom portrait to a lucky bidder in a silent auction at the Off the Wall Gallery. Bids may be placed at the Houston gallery beginning Saturday, Nov. 7, and continuing through Saturday, Nov. 14, at 8 p.m.

The winner of the portrait will be notified at the event or by phone on Monday, Nov. 16. All proceeds from this auction will go directly to the Children's Art Project at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to help make life better for children with cancer. Through worldwide sales of young cancer patients' original artwork featured on seasonal note cards and gifts as well as through generous donations, the project has funded offerings from the Children's Cancer Hospital such as educational programs, college scholarships, summer camps, ski trips, the Child Life program and other exciting activities that benefit cancer patients and their families.

Don't miss this chance to see the recent work of Peter Max. Previews of the art begin Nov. 7 at the Off the Wall Gallery in the Houston Galleria. Max himself will be at the gallery on Saturday, Nov. 14, 6-9 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 15, 1-4 p.m. The gallery would appreciate an RSVP, 713-871-0940, if you plan to come by.

It's been 10 years since the Children's Art Project at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center published a story book, but this year they're at it again with "Our Shadow Garden."

The latest story book is both educational and an interesting read. The storyline focuses on a grandmother who loves to garden, but has been prohibited from being in the sunlight. Her young grandchild and husband conspire to make her happy again, coming up with a special garden that blooms at night.

Hence, "Our Shadow Garden" is planted. In the book there are sidebars where young readers can learn about special plants that thrive in the nighttime, and nocturnal birds, bats and bugs. There's even a gardening glossary and instructions on how to plant a seed.





The text, which is written by certified Texas Master Gardener Cherie Foster Colburn, is based on Colburn's own issues with a disease that kept her out of the sunlight for a time. Colburn is a landscape designer and owner of Nature's Tapestry. In addition, she is also a freelance garden writer and has been a garden/feature writer for numerous publications. Colburn is owner/developer of www.GardenStops.com, a site for Texas gardening info and a frequent speaker for various organizations, including garden clubs and community groups. "Our Shadow Garden" is her gift to the children of the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center's Children's Art Project, to show the love and healing power inherent in gardening.

The artwork in the book has all been created by young patients in the Children's Cancer Hospital at M. D. Anderson. While some of the art is new, inspired by the Children's Art Project's educational classroom curriculum in the Children's Cancer Hospital, other art has been previously published before finding a new use in "Our Shadow Garden." 

The Children's Art Project at M. D. Anderson began in 1973 with a mission of making life better for children with cancer. This volunteer-driven project blends business and caring to do just that. Through worldwide sales of young cancer patients' artwork featured on seasonal note cards and gifts, the project has funded educational programs, college scholarships, summer camps, ski trips, the Child Life program and other exciting activities that benefit cancer patients and their families.

Each child with art in the book is a current or former cancer patient at M. D. Anderson. The artwork they create is often featured on the products produced and sold by the Children's Art Project. Since CAP began, more than $26 million has been returned to M. D. Anderson to support many psychosocial programs.

"Our Shadow Garden," which retails for $20, and other CAP products are available through the Children's Art Project at its Uptown Park retail store in Houston, online at www.childrensart.org or by calling (800) 231-1580 to place an order or receive a free catalog.

What I didn't know on April 1 when this cruel April Fool's Day joke (I wish!) was played on me, is that the State of Texas has a law that prohibits anyone who has had a seizure from driving for six months or until they are seizure free.

On that day, April 1, I did have a seizure. Actually, what happened is that I stopped talking, which is pretty unusual for someone like me. When I didn't respond to a colleague's urging to leave for a meeting, when all I did was smile, she knew that something wasn't right. Lucky for me that she called an ambulance. Unlucky for me that I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Lucky for me that I work at M. D. Anderson.

It didn't take long for me to be lined up with a team - a surgeon with "golden hands" and a well-respected oncologist. Individually, they met with me and my enormous family support team, each for over an hour. By the time the day was done, it was determined that I did indeed have a brain tumor and that the first thing to do was to get it out of my head.

So what does one do when faced with something like that? Well, in good M. D. Anderson style, I continued to work up until two days before the scheduled surgery. I wasn't frightened. I have been drinking this M. D. Anderson Kool-Aid for almost 10 years and I knew I was in good hands. The aspect of being operated on in our state-of-the-art BrainSUITE was exciting and at least I didn't have to be awake.

The people who were frightened were all the members of my family. My husband, my children, my parents, my sisters, well, everyone. My colleagues at work couldn't believe it. All my other friends were shocked, too. Six months out, I think I can also say that I was surprised - I never expected anything like this to happen to me.

But today, October 1, is a really good day. I've turned some kind of invisible corner in the last few days. I feel good. I can work. I have goals to accomplish. Best of all, I can drive!

 Read more about Gail and her treatment on GBG is a Brainiac