Testimonials for Donel’s House of Hope.
What People Are Saying.
Patients & Families
“As someone who has battled cancer and dealt with many of the difficulties that come with it, I understand the need for patient/family support and assistance. What I don’t understand is what it must be like to have to travel one, two, or three plus hours to and from what will already likely be a long, exhausting, temper-testing day at the hospital. Or having to stay overnight getting treatment with nobody nearby to visit you or bring you anything. I am lucky enough to live within fifteen minutes of DHMC, the hospital where I received my treatment, which has helped me in many ways, and has been an advantage that I believe should be available to all cancer patients and families. To have family, friends, and comfort within reach of the hospital is an invaluable benefit that should be accessible to all patients, and can be with such generous facilities as Donel’s House of Hope.”
— Jacob
“Things began to spiral and [my husband’s] condition became worse. He developed complications that ultimately put him in the Intensive Care Unit. I tried staying one night with him, but my body decided that that wasn’t the best thing to do. I struggled with leaving him, but I needed to take care of myself. I knew that traveling over an hour one-way from home was not an option. I needed to be close! I was able to secure a room at the Maynard House for just a few days. Beyond that, they were booked solid and had a waiting list. My world was spiraling out of control; I was trying to hold it all together. I had to send a family member home due to the stress and anxiety of our situation. Larry’s health was diminishing, I needed different lodging, I felt overwhelmed, scared and above all, ALONE...I want to say that cancer changes families. I believe that a supportive home for families who have loved ones fighting cancer is needed and would be appreciated! Please consider helping to make Donel’s House of Hope a reality!”
— Brenda
“Donel's House (like nearby David's House) has the opportunity to provide cancer patients' caregivers with a safe home-away-from-home, a chance to connect with other caregivers experiencing similar emotions and difficulties, creating a support group of their own to get through tumultuous times. What a relief it will give all caregivers to have a loving environment, so close to the hospital. Of course there are hotels close to the hospital, but the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis prevents most families from even entertaining the idea of staying in a hotel for multiple nights weekly. I can envision Donel's spirit, his positivity and love surrounding all the caregivers who will stay in his home.”
— Alicia
“Through this whole decade of medical interventions, [my husband and I] had to travel and stay in hotels. As you know, it’s hard enough covering medical costs let alone adding in travel and accommodations, becoming at times a hardship. It would have been incredibly helpful to have had a house to escape to for much needed rest and detachment from medical reality. Hotels are not only expensive but cold and unsupportive. I think it would have been a true bright spot in my day to have not had to worry about where to put my head at each night while my husband battled cancer. [My husband] passed away 3 years ago after a long fight. No doubt it would have eased his worry that I was tucked away in a supportive house with others sharing our struggles.”
— Sandy
“Their vision isn’t just about housing for the family, but a clean room for the patient and educating the family on do’s and don’ts. Spiritual, financial, and mental counseling are a big part of this new family named [cancer] that you had the misfortune of joining. It would have been nice to sit down with someone who could have explained in layman’s terms not only what to expect in the present, but also what might happen once the family gets home. Having this house will not alleviate all worries but it would be a great place to vent, cry, and pray with your new family members.”
— Clarence
Caregivers
“A cancer diagnosis impacts all aspects of an individual’s life; physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. Patients and their caregivers travel as far as northern NY, NH, VT, Maine, and Western Massachusetts to receive comprehensive cancer treatment in the Upper Valley of New Hampshire. For most it’s not a quick trip to the doctor’s office for a follow-up appointment it’s a full day trek, an overnight or an unexpected turn for the worse and days in the hospital while the caregiver is either staying at a local hotel or sleeping in the loved ones hospital room trying to get an hour or two of sleep. For over 20 years, I have had many conversations with colleagues on how we could best serve our patients who are travelling one to five hours to receive care. I can recall many night shifts as an oncology nurse dreaming of designing a house specifically for this patient population; a home away from home where they can spend the night at little to no cost. Donel’s House of Hope will provide an overnight experience in an environment designed to prevent infection in an effort to protect this most vulnerable population while providing a sense of security and comradery.”
- Lisa, Oncology RN
“As I care for cancer patients daily, it becomes quite evident the struggles they endure. The struggles are like “unpredictable waves” in their cancer journey, these waves may include emotional, physical, and financial burdens. Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way. My first close experience with cancer was with my oldest son’s best friend, Michael. At the young age of 29, he was brought to the emergency room by his father after several days of fatigue and not getting out of bed, this was very uncharacteristic for Michael. He had been part of our family since he was in the fifth grade. A very athletic and energized boy, who grew up to be a respectful hard-working young man. He was a skilled carpenter and was working in the family business. Michael was diagnosed with AML and needed an allogeneic stem cell transplant after many cycles of chemotherapy treatments. His journey with “unpredictable waves” was about two long years. His parents traveled over an hour each way daily when he was in the hospital after they have worked a full day and spent many nights at his bedside on the weekends. He is just one of the many stories I see working with cancer patients and helping them through their journey. These patients make multiple trips to receive treatment at DHMC from long distances all over New England, driving home every night is not always possible. Donel’s House of Hope would provide the much-needed lodging in the upper valley and provide emotional support for patients and families, a place to share their stories and create a sense of community with those who are also going through cancer and experiencing their individual “unpredictable waves”.“
- Judi, Oncology RN
“From both personal and professional experience I can say that there is a huge need in the Upper Valley for a house for cancer patients and caregivers. When I was 12 years old my father with diagnosed with lymphoma. My parents did everything they could to minimize the impact of cancer on my siblings and me while my father was going through treatment. We were fortunate in that we only lived an hour away and that my aunt was able to step in to help my parents with caring for us kids or driving my father to and from appointments. Had anything been different in my father’s treatment or had he suffered any major complications, a house would have been of tremendous help to my family. Professionally, I see the need for a house on almost a daily basis. I have been an inpatient oncology nurse for 5 years now and have witnessed countless caregivers struggle with having to leave their loved ones alone at the hospital so that they can go home to take care of their children, do some laundry, or simply to get a full night of sleep. Many of our patients and caregivers travel from great distances and going home every night or every few days isn’t an option for them. They’re left with no other choice than to stay in a costly hotel room or sleep in a hostel. A house would be a safe place for patients and caregivers to stay for treatment, while a loved is undergoing an inpatient stay for treatment, or while a loved one is hospitalized with complications. It would allow patients and caregivers a safe place to rest and recover surrounded by others experiencing the same thing. This house will create a network of love and support, something that can only be achieved through a place like this.”