Stories

A diagnosis of cancer is never easy. When your best treatment options are hours from home, you have to battle more than the disease. There is the added financial burden, along with the emotional stress of being away from the comforts of your own home and the support of family and friends. For many, the answers to these problems are found at the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodges.

Glenn Skinner was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2001 and began to receive treatment at Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, New York. He and his wife, Dee, first came to Vermont's Fletcher Allen Health Care in 2002, where Glenn was immediately placed in the intensive care unit. Worried about her husband's health, Dee wouldn't leave the hospital for the first two days of Glenn's stay. It was when Glenn was moved to the oncology floor that Dee first learned of the Hope Lodge.

"At first I was uneasy, I was a wreck. I really didn't want to meet people, let alone stay with strangers,” said Dee. "But I needed a shower." When Dee finally went to the Hope Lodge, she met Director Angela Putnam.

"I met Angela at the first Hope Lodge in her small office," Dee recalls. "She had a huge smile on her face, a warm shower for me and a soft, warm bed if and when I needed it. It was a huge relief, and it was a home."

The Skinners would make another trip back to the Hope Lodge in 2004, but this time it was at a new location. Despite the change of address, it provided the same comforts.

"I was so glad to have somewhere, someone to return to," said Dee. "Cancer is such a hard journey. Knowing there is a place like Hope Lodge to help you along its path is beyond explanation. It's just pure hope."

After several more stays at the Hope Lodge, the Skinners made two more trips back in 2008, but this time it was to the new American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, Lois McClure - Bee Tabakin Building.

"Wow, wow. and many more wows," said Dee. "Don't get me wrong, the other Hope Lodge was wonderful, but the new Hope Lodge is a dream come true."

Glenn had tried on several occasions to receive a stem cell transplant, but was unsuccessful. While at the new Hope Lodge he was able to take advantage of one of two special suites designed for patients with suppressed immune systems. While staying in this suite, he was able to remain healthy enough finally have a successful transplant.

Glenn and Dee figure they have stayed at the Hope Lodges for a total of six months over the years and consider it a second home, where they will always be warmly welcomed.

"To know we could stay free of charge, that we were minutes from urgent care, was such a relief for all of the family who stayed with Glenn through his recovery," Dee said. "This is family, home and hope. A perfect package for anyone with cancer that needs a quiet place, a place to cry, talk, or just go while traveling the journey that cancer has taken so many of us on."