Amanda’s Story

At 32, Amanda faced a frightening and complex diagnosis – breast cancer in addition to progressive MS. Lifesaving care was possible at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center, but it meant spending months away from her home in Crescent City where she and her husband Gary raise their three children. Thanks to community support for The Family House, Amanda and her loved ones found a home away from home to ease their burdens during this difficult time.

Grateful for comfort

In 2022, after suffering two strokes, Amanda received a diagnosis of progressive MS. While beginning physical therapy she received another disturbing diagnosis—breast cancer. She was referred to Asante for surgery and to begin treatment.

Mel, a nurse navigator who works with breast cancer patients at Spears Cancer Center, told Amanda about The Family House—a low-cost hospitality house that provides Asante patients home-like accommodations during their treatment. Amanda was delighted. Not only could she stay close to her treatment center, but her family could join her during her stays. With her surgery scheduled, she stayed her first night in The Family House with her kids.

“Financially, this just takes everything out of you. We had already spent a lot of money on hotels when they were finding the cancer. So, to have an affordable option where my family could be with me, where I could have my own room, my own food, and be comfortable…it meant so much to us.”

Amanda’s treatment plan took a full year—from her double mastectomy surgery, through six chemotherapy treatments and a full month of radiation—and she stayed at The Family House through it all. Sometimes her children would stay with her where they could play in the on-site playground, take small trips to the Rogue River, and just be a family.

“Crescent City is only a couple hours away, but it would have been a lot of back and forth. Staying at The Family House gave me a quiet, comfortable place to stay through all of it. And it gave me peace of mind. Every time I pull up here, it feels like coming home.”

During her radiation treatment, Amanda stayed at The Family House for a whole month, only going home on the weekends, becoming very close with the staff and other guests. When other guests would ask her how she remained so positive throughout her whole experience, she would credit The Family House and its wonderfully welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. Though her diagnoses and treatments caused her frequent physical and emotional suffering, Amanda knew she could always count on The Family House. With the support of her loving family, exceptional care team, and donors she may never even meet, Amanda continues to remain positive in the face of daunting medical challenges and uncertainty.

“In my time staying there, I saw so many different patients—some who stay for a night, some for a week—but having The Family House available helps so many different people find comfort and some relief from the stress of medical care. I wish I could say thank you to each one of the donors who make it possible!”

—Amanda, Asante cancer patient and guest at The Family House