Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.
Issue link: http://cancerfightersthrive.epubxp.com/i/507057
24 C A NCER FIGH T ER S THRI V E | sUMMER 20 15 C A NCERFIGHTER S THRI V E .COM "It was hard to be away from my husband and kids overnight, let alone for a week at a time," Jeana explains. A mom of four children (ages 24, 20, 14 and 11), Jeana, with her husband, decided it would be easier if the whole family was together while she underwent treatment. Luckily, Jeana's kids were on summer break, so the Churchill family packed their bags and moved into a hotel in Arizona for the entire summer. "The kids had the opportunity to experience the hospital. They got to know the staff, talk with my doctors and play games," Jeana explains. "They felt very comfortable because they got to see exactly what I was going through, and I felt comfortable because I didn't worry as much, knowing they were near." Jeana describes that summer as an adventure: "Kids love hotels, so they had a blast! We went swimming at midnight at the hotel. We took outings in the area whenever possible. The kids loved eating at the hospital and became friends with the chef. They were completely occupied." Being together made the journey easier on the entire family because it enabled them to feel a sense of routine and normalcy. "Cancer throws your whole life around and changes everything," explains Jeana. "Routine makes you feel like you're normal. Having my family with me made me feel like I was in control." Bringing Home to the Hospital—Literally Florida resident and former private investigator Theresa Titley literally brought her home with her when she traveled to CTCA in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for treatment. Theresa and her husband, Don, permanently live and travel in an RV, and the couple was able to park their home- on-wheels in the hospital parking lot throughout her chemotherapy and radiation treatment for anal cancer. Theresa and Don came to Phila- delphia in March 2013 and spent four months making the three-minute walking commute from their RV to the entrance of CTCA. "I can't explain how grateful we were that CTCA allowed us to park our RV in the lot," says Theresa. "Feeling like I was at home when I left the hospital for the day was something I cannot describe." Having the RV allowed Theresa to truly feel like she was at home. She was familiar with her surroundings and had all of her personal and spe- cial belongings with her. And because Having the RV allowed Theresa to truly feel like she was at home. She was familiar with her surroundings and had all of her personal and special belongings with her. And because Theresa traveled by RV, she was also able to bring her rescue puppy, Misty, with her. t Theresa and Don Titley, with the RV they called home during Theresa's treatment.