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Cancer Wellness House, the only program of its kind in the Intermountain West, provides free resources for anyone whose life has been affected by cancer in a home-like environment. A wide variety of free program offerings support individuals and families in their quest for wellness and enhance their quality of life, complementing conventional medical treatment. It’s comfortable home-like setting provides an opportunity to meet with others experiencing similar circumstances and "..to be ourselves and face our fears together." Programs are designed to encourage individuals to actively participate with others in their quest for wellness. Cancer Wellness House programs are open to adults, children, family members, caregivers, co-workers, neighbors, and friends. Anyone who has been affected by cancer in some way can participate in our free Cancer Wellness House programs.
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Cancer Wellness House
Paul is an 11 year old boy whose mother was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2007. Paul and his brother Tim, age 7, were scared and concerned for their mother. She had surgery and underwent 6 months of chemotherapy; her hair fell out and she was tired most of the time. Paul knew that his mother was sick but was unsure of the future and who would fulfill his mother’s roles. Paul started withdrawing from his family and being distracted at school. His parents became concerned stating, "we don’t know what to say or how to help him."
That’s when Paul’s parents reached out to the Cancer Wellness House. At the Cancer Wellness House, Paul and Tim were able to join the Kids Club program. During Kids Club, Paul and Tim were able to participate in the Kids Retreat, where they and other children who had a loved one with cancer toured a cancer facility. They found out how chemotherapy works, what happens when someone gets radiation and were able to "treat" their own "patients" from dolls that they created in the program. Most importantly, Paul and Tim met with other kids their age who also had a loved one living with cancer. They realized they were not the only one. Paul was able to ask hard questions to trusted adults in the Kids Club program and learned how to share his feelings with his family better. After several months of Kids Club, Paul regained his attention at school and was more himself at home.
Not only did Paul and Tim get support at the Cancer Wellness House, his parents also got support. Paul’s mother went to a patient support group and was able to meet with other people like herself. They discussed how to cope with the treatment, how to manage and cope with all going on around her; she realized she was not alone in her feelings. Likewise, Paul’s father went to the caregivers group where he met other caregivers who talked about managing a loved one who was in treatment all the while managing a job, children and daily life. The family stated that Cancer Wellness House has been a "place where all of us get out our support and realize that none of us are alone in our experience or in our feelings."
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