Design for Living
Reader's Digest US|May 2018

When a patient sees her doctor’s dismal cancer treatment rooms, she knows just the cure

Juliana Labianca
Design for Living

IN 2011, Nancy Ballard went for a routine checkup that turned into something extraordinary. At 60, the recently retired entrepreneur had just completed her master’s in botanical illustration. In fact, she was carrying a painting of a plant she’d done when she arrived at her doctor’s San Francisco office. “It would be great if we had artwork like that for our chemotherapy rooms,” the nurse said. Ballard asked to see one.

This story is from the May 2018 edition of Reader's Digest US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 2018 edition of Reader's Digest US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM READER'S DIGEST USView All
GOTCHA!
Reader's Digest US

GOTCHA!

We asked for it: What's the best prank you ever pulled?

time-read
3 mins  |
March/April 2024
KITT THE COURAGEOUS K-9
Reader's Digest US

KITT THE COURAGEOUS K-9

Officer Bill Cushing needed a partner. His dog needed a purpose. Together, they rescued each other.

time-read
9 mins  |
March/April 2024
Let's Dance!
Reader's Digest US

Let's Dance!

It's good for your body, soul and even your brain

time-read
6 mins  |
March/April 2024
DISASTER ON THE RIVER
Reader's Digest US

DISASTER ON THE RIVER

Two canoeists struggle to keep themselves and their friendship-afloat

time-read
9 mins  |
March/April 2024
WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THE STUFF WE RETURN
Reader's Digest US

WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL THE STUFF WE RETURN

Think your rejects go back on the shelves? Think again.

time-read
10 mins  |
March/April 2024
Words to Live By
Reader's Digest US

Words to Live By

Poems offered me an anchor as I lost my son, so I shared them

time-read
4 mins  |
March/April 2024
LOST, FOUND, HOMEWARD BOUND
Reader's Digest US

LOST, FOUND, HOMEWARD BOUND

A collection of heart-thumping, tail-wagging, zoomies-inducing pet reunion tales

time-read
10 mins  |
March/April 2024
Paging Dr. AI
Reader's Digest US

Paging Dr. AI

IF YOU'VE EVER Googled symptoms (and who hasn't?), you've probably scared yourself with a dire diagnosis, with no doctor there to vet the source and put the information in context. But we can't help ourselves. So can AI help?

time-read
1 min  |
March/April 2024
The HEALTHY WELLNESS FROM THEHEALTHY.COM
Reader's Digest US

The HEALTHY WELLNESS FROM THEHEALTHY.COM

A vaccine is finally on the way. In the meantime, here's how to protect yourself from ticks.

time-read
2 mins  |
March/April 2024
How to Speak Like a Midwesterner
Reader's Digest US

How to Speak Like a Midwesterner

FROM THE BOOK A GUIDE TO MIDWESTERN CONVERSATION

time-read
3 mins  |
March/April 2024