guest stories

meet Alyse and Amanda

Diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, oxygen therapy helped Alyse breathe as lung capacity waned. This breath-giving treatment soon became a 24/7 requirement to live. Traveling from Albuquerque, her path to wellness brought her to Help In Healing Home, preceded by a double lung transplant at a Phoenix hospital. “My first full breath”, Alyse describes this as the most amazing surprise after her transplant surgery, following years of staccato-like shallow breathing. Amanda and Alyse are quick to state, “the sunrises and sunsets are beautiful here, in this quiet, comfortable and safe place”.

meet Nancy and Bill

I was diagnosed with myelofibrosis in 2008. I underwent a stem cell transplant at Mayo Clinic Hospital with my brother, Hank, as my donor. My husband Bill and I ended up spending about four months at Help In Healing Home, so yes; it truly was our second home. The transplant was an extraordinary success and I have since resumed normal life, including tennis, golf, volunteering, and time with my family. We can’t thank Help In Healing Home enough for making us so welcome during this remarkable journey.

meet Matt and Sheri

Matt Kinney of Simi Valley, CA is a 3-time winner! That is, he has renewed his love of life three times through kidney transplant. At 6 years-old, Matt had his first transplant, with mom (Sheri) his living donor. Ten years later was his second. Mayo Clinic-Arizona was recommended for his third kidney (2018). Matt waited for his third kidney to treat CKD (chronic kidney disease). Recuperating at Help In Healing Home, Matt describes his stay as “phenomenal” with “supportive staff” who are so appreciated.

meet Sara

“A bonding experience” for daughter (patient) and mother (caregiver), is one of the ways Sara describes her experience at Help In Healing Home. The guest casita was so comfortable, I could rest and more importantly, my mom could also rest more easily. With ten casita-mates with whom she built relationships, Sara’s mom found great support in the combination of private and shared-living space. Sara said, “Our casita-mates were her network of support and strength”.

meet Brian

I flew all the way from Australia to Phoenix to have surgery. But it wasn’t for myself; it was for my father who needed a life-saving kidney transplant. The calm and comfort of the facilities of Help In Healing Home were just what the doctor ordered. The staff provided the right amount of service for me to feel pampered and independent at the same time. The other guests had their own stories and experiences, and we shared something life-changing together—a common bond I will always appreciate.

meet Marie

Her local doctor misdiagnosed indigestion for this savvy mother of 4 boys and grandmother of 7 from Prescott Valley, Arizona. In 2018 – Marie’s heart was failing. The good news/bad news: her heart was so critical, she was moved higher on the transplant list. She stayed at Help In Healing Home, recuperating more quickly than anticipated, sharing her joyful personality with her casita-mates. She loved playing Heads Up with the other guests on game night and says “the security and peace of HIHH were wonderful” she found the “caring and helpfulness of staff to be seamless moving from the hospital to the guest casitas”.

meet Gil And Mary

I didn’t want to go there at first. Communal living? Sick people in robes and slippers? Sharing with strangers? “No, not for me,” I thought. I valued my privacy too much. But when I got there, all my apprehensions quickly melted away. We were all in the same boat. We were all extremely careful about avoiding germs and following doctors’ orders. Everyone knew exactly what the others were going through. Everyone was so caring and supportive! When I recovered and returned home to Prescott, Arizona, I realized that what I had feared would be the worst of times turned out to be the best of times.

meet Jennifer and Valerie

Jennifer of El Paso, Texas waited more than 12 years for a life-saving kidney transplant. Her health continued to deteriorate on home dialysis 10 hours each day. She and her devoted caregiver and mother, Valerie Edmiston, worried that her life would be cut short. Then they found Mayo Clinic and a healthy new kidney for her. They also found Help in Healing Home located on Mayo Clinic’s campus. The serene desert setting at HIHH provided the respite that daughter and mother needed. “It’s like one big, happy family,” says Jennifer. “I love the staff and the community of people all going through the same experience.”

meet David and Heidi

After researching David’s type of cancer and potential treatments, David chose Mayo Phoenix for treatments and Help In Healing Home for lodging (8 weeks). David and Heidi returned to their home state of Utah after 44 years in Texas, where David taught Art at a university and they raised their family. “We found all of our needs met beautifully here”, expressed Heidi as she thoughtfully reflected on their stay at HIHH. With David’s artistic expertise, he enjoys “journaling” through his sketch work, capturing the desert sights, so different from Utah or Texas.

meet Philip and Robin

She has a keen love for photography and horses. And now, Robin Perine of Middleburg, Virginia has a powerful new passion: Living donor kidney donation. Robin didn’t hesitate to be tested and was approved to be the donor to her dad, Philip, from Las Vegas, who was in great need. Their respective surgeries were completed at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Help in Healing Home at the Village at Mayo Clinic was integral to their healing journey. Not only was the nightly fee affordable, Robin describes her reaction to Help in Healing Home: Grateful. Peaceful. Tranquil. Conducive to healing.

meet Gloria and Marcus

For 15 years, Gloria, of Shreveport, LA, endured unbearable pain in her ears, tongue and throat. She needed answers, but was told she just had a “sore throat.” She found her answer when she met a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, who diagnosed Gloria’s rare brain disorder, and performed surgery to correct a nerve complication. Gloria, 77, and her son and caregiver, Marcus, discovered Help in Healing Home, and found the respite they both needed while she healed. “This place is healing,” Gloria says. “It’s better than a hotel, and we met others who shared their stories and support. It has been such a comfort.”

meet Mike and Maggie

Michael Wang is no stranger to the challenges that come from facing a chronic kidney disease. He underwent a kidney transplant in 2004, but the time came for a second one. On Oct. 21, 2017 he received a healthy, matching kidney at Mayo Clinic. Michael and his mother and caregiver, Maggie, stayed at Help in the Healing Home while he recuperated. Michael praised the hospitality they received, adding that in addition to the comfort and camaraderie at the Village, “They were strict and respectful about the cleanliness and hygienic conditions that are very important to patients who are immune-compromised.”

Our guests are on a journey they never anticipated as they undergo extensive cancer treatments or life-saving transplant surgeries. They are often far away from home and away from family and friends.