Advance care planning: What patients and caregivers should know
Advance care planning can seem daunting, but it’s a necessary process to make sure that your health care preferences are honored if you become too sick to speak for yourself.
“I define advance care planning as an ongoing process of communication about your goals, values and wishes in terms of your health care decisions,” says senior social work counselor Melanie Cavazos.
She and gastrointestinal medical oncologist...
After losing their son to cancer, parents support Kinder Children’s Cancer Center
Ethan Perry was an outgoing kid with a big personality. He enjoyed playing sports, creating inventions and playing violin in his middle school...
Leukemia survivor finds companionship of rescue dog during treatment
Mark Janes’ chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) diagnosis came after he’d initially visited his doctor for swollen lymph nodes in his neck....
Volunteer finds joy and purpose in connecting with others
Human interaction and connection.
That’s what’s been most impactful to MD Anderson volunteer Arsalan Hojabri. And he quickly learned how important they are to cancer patients and caregivers as well.
Hojabri started as a college volunteer at MD Anderson in April 2024 while pursuing his master’s degree in medical science from Baylor University.
On any given day, he could be directing patients to the correct room for...
Acoustic neuroma survivor regains hearing after surgery with cochlear implant
Casey Brown was diagnosed with a benign skull base tumor called an acoustic neuroma in September 2022.
Her diagnosis came after...
Proton therapy helps survivor overcome two cancer diagnoses
In early 2022, Phil Sprick noticed a lump behind his cheekbone while shaving. He visited his ear, nose and throat doctor a few weeks later...
Stage III colon cancer survivor grateful for MD Anderson’s expertise
There was a point during colorectal cancer treatment when Tommy Allen didn’t think he was going to live. He was in pain 24 hours a day, the...
Metaplastic breast cancer survivor grateful for immunotherapy combination clinical trial
Alejandra Cintora González is an active wife and mother who eats healthy and doesn’t smoke. So, when she was diagnosed with metaplastic breast...
Mucosal melanoma survivor trusts MD Anderson to treat rare cancer
Joy McDevitt was diagnosed with a rare cancer called mucosal melanoma of the nasal cavity on Aug. 6, 2024. She had seen an ENT because she...
MD Anderson helps bladder cancer survivor through recurrences
What began as a summer family vacation in New York ended with a bladder cancer diagnosis for Houston-area resident Bill Hennessey.
...