Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Hancocks on I-240
Many, many thanks to Hancock's Fabric Store on I-240 for help in finding and getting the best price and discounts on fabric for the scarves for our survivor project. Most of the images will be black and white with a splash of color. The color will be a scarf or hat in the color that represents their particular cancer.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
More Survivor News
Had a great meeting yesterday afternoon at Stevenson Cancer Center. Von, Jari, & Joel were very encouraging and supportive of the Survivor Project. They have a couple of things to run by "legal," mainly to see if we need some type of contract saying who does what toward the completion of the project. Then they should be referring people to participate in the project within the next couple of weeks. We're hoping to have a calendar printed and for sale by sometime in November!
We also got a tour of the Center. It's amazing! I hope you never need it, but if you ever have cancer, consider it. It's state of the art - for both treatment and research! The equipment they have for radiation is some of the best. They are in the process of installing one of the newest and best proton therapy machines.* They can do PET Scans, and other diagnostics on site. They can do chemo on site. There is a cafe, a large "living room," family areas, children's play areas (as children often accompany parents who are there for treatment). The living room is right next to the cafe, with lots of comfortable seating, coffee tables, books and a player, grand piano with everything from classical music to Beatle's tunes. Lot's of books and resource materials.... Children are generally treated at the children's hospital, but radiation equipment is too expensive to duplicate. So, children needing radiation would use the equipment in the Center, and there are toys and books for them in that area, too. There's even a beauty salon to help women get a wig, get it styled, and learn how to deal with hair loss and how to style their hair as they lose it and as it grows back. Ah, I keep thinking of things I saw, but suffice it to say, they seem to have thought of pretty much everything to make help people deal with the experience of cancer and treatment. It is all so much less "clinical" than anywhere I went for diagnosis or treatment. Much more comfortable and relaxed.
I asked Trish what stood out to her. She said it was the people. Everyone we met, receptionists, treatment staff, people in the hallways, elevators, or offices, had a smile on their face. It was as though they were actually glad to be there, as though this was more than just a job. Von, Jari, and Joel were the same way. This wasn't about fund-raising so the Center would be there and they would have a job. This was all about the patients and how to meet their needs.
*The proton therapy machine will be one of three in the nation by the time installation is complete. There are currently 6 cities (if I remember right) where proton therapy is available, including OKCity. This will make the 2nd location here. Pretty unique that Oklahoma City will have two! But OU is also involved heavily in research as well as treatment, so there is double value in having this machine located here.
We also got a tour of the Center. It's amazing! I hope you never need it, but if you ever have cancer, consider it. It's state of the art - for both treatment and research! The equipment they have for radiation is some of the best. They are in the process of installing one of the newest and best proton therapy machines.* They can do PET Scans, and other diagnostics on site. They can do chemo on site. There is a cafe, a large "living room," family areas, children's play areas (as children often accompany parents who are there for treatment). The living room is right next to the cafe, with lots of comfortable seating, coffee tables, books and a player, grand piano with everything from classical music to Beatle's tunes. Lot's of books and resource materials.... Children are generally treated at the children's hospital, but radiation equipment is too expensive to duplicate. So, children needing radiation would use the equipment in the Center, and there are toys and books for them in that area, too. There's even a beauty salon to help women get a wig, get it styled, and learn how to deal with hair loss and how to style their hair as they lose it and as it grows back. Ah, I keep thinking of things I saw, but suffice it to say, they seem to have thought of pretty much everything to make help people deal with the experience of cancer and treatment. It is all so much less "clinical" than anywhere I went for diagnosis or treatment. Much more comfortable and relaxed.
I asked Trish what stood out to her. She said it was the people. Everyone we met, receptionists, treatment staff, people in the hallways, elevators, or offices, had a smile on their face. It was as though they were actually glad to be there, as though this was more than just a job. Von, Jari, and Joel were the same way. This wasn't about fund-raising so the Center would be there and they would have a job. This was all about the patients and how to meet their needs.
*The proton therapy machine will be one of three in the nation by the time installation is complete. There are currently 6 cities (if I remember right) where proton therapy is available, including OKCity. This will make the 2nd location here. Pretty unique that Oklahoma City will have two! But OU is also involved heavily in research as well as treatment, so there is double value in having this machine located here.
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