When Michaelle Wilde noticed a persistent lump on her face, she never imagined it would lead to a 10-hour surgery, six weeks of radiation treatment, and a temporary new home in Pittsburgh. What began as a confusing and painful medical mystery became a life-altering journey, one that Family House made more bearable.
Michaelle was diagnosed with epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) and needed extensive surgery to remove a malignant tumor. Michaelle received her surgery, which turned out to be far more extensive than anticipated, at UPMC Cole in Coudersport, Pennsylvania. She soon learned she would need additional radiation treatment. That meant six weeks in Pittsburgh, a city she had never visited. Michaelle and her husband jake quickly faced a daunting question: Where do you stay for six weeks in an unfamiliar city on a single income?
Enter Family House.
“We didn’t know what to do,” Michaelle recalled. “The cost, the coordination of logistics, the stress. It was overwhelming.” Fortunately, a nurse from Dr. Yvonne Mowery’s radiation oncology office at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center recommended Family House. From the moment Michaelle and Jake walked through Family House’s doors in January, they knew they were in the right place.
“The welcome was immediate,” said Jake. “Everyone was so kind and supportive, always asking how Michaelle was feeling and if we needed anything. You just don’t get that everywhere.”
Michaelle stayed at Family House four nights a week while undergoing daily radiation treatments. Having access to a kitchen and food pantry made an enormous difference. “Being able to make something on your own, in a comfortable space, it matters,” she said.
Financially, Family House was a lifeline. With Jake temporarily closing his mobile RV repair company during their stay and Michaelle working part-time remotely during their stay at Family House, affordability was a significant concern. “There was a desk and a chair in the room, and that was all I needed,” she shared. “It meant we didn’t lose our insurance coverage,” Jake added.
Family House also helped ease their financial burden through the Family Assistance program. “It wasn’t just about saving money,” said Jake. “It was about removing stress when we already had too much on our plates. The process was seamless, clear, and incredibly helpful.”
Throughout their stay, Michaelle and Jake were deeply moved by the people they met at Family House. From the compassionate front desk staff to the volunteers who delivered meals, the atmosphere was one of constant care and compassion.
“There’s a woman at the front desk who we swear has the happy gene,” Michaelle laughed. “She’s just a light in the room.” The couple also noted how Family House enables grateful guests to give back and be part of a community. “People donate items when they leave, like kitchen supplies. It’s like everyone here is paying it forward.”
Now home in Potter County, the Wildes reflect on their time at Family House with profound gratitude. “This place gave us peace of mind during the most stressful period of our lives,” said Michaelle. “It let us focus on healing.”
Family House is not just a place to stay. It’s a network of support, a warm embrace in a time of uncertainty, and, for Michaelle and Jake, a vital part of their resilience.
Help ensure that security for guests like Michaelle and Jake.
By donating to Family House, you help provide comfort, financial relief, and emotional support to patients and their caregivers when it is needed most.
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