Two years into their marriage, Matthew was at work just like any other day. But in the early morning of January 14, 2024, everything changed.
A chemical burn on his face and head sent him to their small local hospital, where he was immediately placed in a decontamination shower. The medical team knew he needed specialized care and planned to airlift him to Atrium, but strong winds made it impossible.
Instead, he was transported by ambulance for the two-and-a-half-hour drive from Bluefield, WV. Haylee followed with only the clothes on her back.
For the next 12 days, Matthew remained in the hospital, undergoing two surgeries. Haylee stayed by his side the entire time. Around them, their community quietly stepped in. Family, friends, and their church family brought clothes and gave Haylee moments to step away and breathe. Friends back home took care of their sweet orange kitty, Sparky.
When Matthew was discharged, the road ahead would still be very intense and challenging. He would need to return for appointments every other day. Knowing that travel would be a hardship, a hospital social worker told them about the Family House. That wasn’t the first time Haylee heard about the Family House – a friend from church had once stayed during his cancer treatment. They decided to check into it.
They didn’t quite know what to expect. “I didn’t know if it would be small and sketchy, or if it would feel safe and comfortable,” she recalled. When they walked through the doors together for the first time, with Matthew’s wounds still wrapped in gauze, what they found was something unexpected. “It was just… comforting,” Haylee said. “Everyone was so nice. We could tell they genuinely cared.” She thought, “Yeah, we can do this.”
That sense of care became something they would return to again and again.
Since that first stay, Matthew has undergone eight additional surgeries at Atrium. Each time they’ve come back, the Family House has offered steadiness and support.
For Haylee, that support has been deeply personal. As a caregiver, she didn’t expect to be cared for herself, but she was. She never felt alone, and she felt supported through the kindness of everyone within the Family House. As Matthew continued to progress, she held onto that peace of mind. “As long as we’re staying at the Family House, I don’t worry about us being away from home and away from our support system,” she said.
Life takes on a rhythm that balances the weight of surgeries and recovery with moments of normalcy. The shared kitchen feels like the heart of the Family House, whether they’re cooking for themselves or eating a volunteer-provided meal. Matthew loves spending time in the 3rd floor library, and he gravitates toward the piano in the living room. They both look forward to visits from therapy dogs and evenings of Art & Wellness.
The first night they played bingo, Haylee was surprised to see the name of their hometown printed on the bingo cards. An organization from Bluefield donated them to the Family House several years earlier. For Haylee, this was quiet confirmation that they were still very much connected to their home, even from far away.
Another memorable moment came after Matthew was cleared to spend time outdoors. They planned a simple date night in the Family House because, why not?! They read side-by-side in the gazebo, baked brownies, and had a Lego-building competition just for fun. They’re grateful the Family House holds space for moments like this.
With each visit, they’ve also found connection with other guests. Haylee advises newcomers to “…talk to other people. You’re far away from your own community and so is everyone else.” Knowing every guest at the Family House is on a medical journey as a patient or caregiver helps everyone feel less alone.
While his care team plans for his next surgery and works to improve vision in his affected eye, Matthew is back to the work he loves. Haylee reached a milestone of her own by earning her West Virginia teacher certification, and her dream is to teach middle school math. They also volunteer in their community, something they were happy to continue.
Haylee still marvels at how they made it through with the support of family, their church community, their faith and trust in God, and the steady presence of the Family House.