Twin Tales

Thanks to you, Carol found a place of refuge and much more during her cancer ordeal.

“When my identical twin sister was diagnosed with lung cancer, my own doctor sent me to get an X-Ray immediately. I resisted. I’d never been  sick before. I wasn’t feeling bad.

Turns out, I had Stage IV lung cancer and didn’t even know it.

When I first learned of the news, I was a basket case. I cried, wondering how I would tell my family.

Finally, I told myself, ‘put on your big girl panties and make some decisions’.

From a small town in Virginia, I knew my best treatment options were elsewhere. I decided that my best chance was to make the hour and thirty minute trip to Winston-Salem.

Days at the hospital were long and grueling. After the surgery to remove the 8cm tumor, I had six weeks of daily radiation and chemotherapy.

I lost my hair, which was almost as bad as the diagnosis. I’ve always had really thick, beautiful hair. I kept telling myself that I wasn’t sick, so losing my hair made it clear to me and the world that I wasn’t well.

The SECU Family House was my home away from home.

When I pulled up, I couldn’t believe the beauty of the facility – that it was real or that it could exist. I was just amazed.

You’ll never find an experience like you do here. Just getting out of your room develops your positivity when you’re struggling. If you’re stuck in a hotel in a room you have no one to talk to.

I would describe it as a place of beauty, a place of refuge, a place of peace, and a place of harmony.

Rooms are immaculate, they’re always accommodating to your needs, and most of all they’re very affordable, and that makes a big difference in many people’s lives.

Thank you, donors and volunteers.

I owe 85% of my healing process to being in a positive atmosphere. My sister and I were always greeted with a smile, a warm hug, encouraging words. And if that wasn’t enough there were often warm meals.

I will forever be grateful for all that the Family House does.

Sometimes I think you need to let go of the picture of what you think life is going to be like and find joy in the story you’re living.

I’ve found that to be true here.

I’m just amazed and so grateful that a place like this exists.” ~Carol, Virginia