Stanford Cancer Center

Elite '08

188

141

Noelle W.

San Jose, CA

The World According to Noelle
~Allergic Girl's Guide to Life~
Issue 100

My world stopped the day I found out my mother was diagnosed with a rare form of Cancer. A Cancer that maybe four people out of one million could be affected. I quit my job. I took her to all of her chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the Stanford Cancer Center. I know the SCC like the back of my hand.

The Stanford Cancer Center first opened in March of 2004, my mother was one of the first patients received for treatments at this facility. I remember the balloons, daffodils and orchids, the free SCC sliver tins with mints. Upon entering the building one will notice the high ceilings and warm earthy tones. One cannot help but notice the soothing music played on the piano in the lobby area. In other sections of the SCC one will see someone playing the harp.

Level One:
   * Cancer Clinics (A - F)
   * Concierge / Patient Navigator
   * Cyber Cafe
   * Health Library
   * Information
   * Laboratory
   * Pharmacy
   * Radiation Oncology
   * Radiology / Mammography
   * Café Saluté

Second Level:

   * Administration and Physician Offices
   * Apheresis Treatment Area
   * Boutique (scheduled to open later this year)
   * Clinical Trials Office
   * Conference Center
   * Infusion Treatment Area (Oncology - Hematology -
     Bone Marrow  Transplantation)
   * Meditation Room

Garden Level:

   * Access to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
   * Radiation Oncology Administration and Physics
   * Radiation Therapy
   * Zen garden and fountain

The SCC is a 150,000-square-foot facility- beautifully designed. There are comfortable seating patient areas in the clinic area as well as the lab area on level one. Everything is clean and modern with the newest technology. What is most appealing is how the widows allow the light to enter the building creating a calming experience for people undergoing Cancer treatments and for their family members that are there in support.

Everyone at this facility from the bottom to top does their best and is compassionate and quite successfully meets the needs of the patients and the family members. In my efforts to do research on my mother's rare form of Cancer I was able to go to the library on the first floor and gather information. At the Cancer library I gave the name of my mother's cancer and they prepared a package that was ready for me the next day. I also was able to pick up a few cookbooks from the SCC Library and whipped up a few dishes for my mom to try.

I remember the many times my mother and I would spend in the Infusion Center on the second level. My mom would sit in a comfortable reclining chair, sometimes I would sit on a comfy chair or the couch/bench and we would watch television together. Each infusion station comes with its very own flat screen television so the patient can watch television. The awesome thing about the Infusion Center is the fact its open Monday through Sunday- in the evenings and on holidays.  

Where to eat on-site:
Café Saluté serves hot paninis, organic salads, sushi, soup, pasta, espresso drinks, italian sodas. For breakfast you will find fruit, danishes and many other pastries.

Operating Hours for Café Saluté:
   * Monday - Friday          7:00am - 5:30pm
   * Saturday and Sunday  CLOSED

Pharmacy Info: Walgreens Pharmacy at the Stanford Cancer Center
Hours of Operation:
Mon - Fri       8:00am - 7:00pm
Saturday       9:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday         Closed
Phone:         (650) 838-0429

Valet:
Is offered at a low cost. There are free wheelchairs available and the Valets will kindly get one for anyone being treated at the SCC. This service is awesome- especially on rainy days.

Better than the television show Grey's Anatomy- and yes its true more handsome real life versions of McDreamy and McSteamy work here : ) The Bay Area is God's Country- Wonderful medical facilities like the SCC, great weather, many different cultures and last but not least Yelp HQ in the City by the Bay.

My mother survived my mad or bad (lol) driving skills as we frequented the SCC for almost a year for her treatments. My mother is a Cancer survivor and I contribute that to her positive outlook on life even in the most challenging circumstances. Mom- you're my best friend & hero, for everything you've taught me in life I am deeply thankful and I love you.

Noelle's Notes:
I am truly grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff that make Cancer treatments at the SCC a positive experience both for the patient and their family.

Noelle's Post Secret:
Mama, mama you're the Queen of my heart
Your love is like
Tears from the stars
Mama, I just want you to know
Lovin you is like food to my soul
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