Stress Gives Way to Comfort
Cheryl, a retired nursing assistant with a background in cardiac administration, spent much of her life caring for others. A mother and grandmother living in Raeford, North Carolina, she was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in 2017 and traveled to Duke for treatment for years. But when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025, the demands of treatment became heavier.
Three times a week, she made the almost 4 hour round trip from Raeford to Durham for appointments. The early mornings, constant traffic, and physical and emotional exhaustion began to take a toll. “It became stressful, the driving, the traffic, and how early I had to leave.” “Since being here, my blood pressure has been steady. My stress level is zero.”
Until that point, Cheryl had never heard of SECU Caring House. During an appointment, another patient encouraged her to look into it. She connected with our Director of Operations, who walked her through what to expect and the services available to guests. “Finding Caring House was a huge relief for me.”
When she first arrived, she wasn’t sure what the experience would be like. Naturally a private person, she made a promise to herself that she would get out into the community and connect with others going through similar experiences. “I told myself I would take advantage of this and not stay in my room. Everybody has made that so easy by being so kind and loving and willing to share their stories.”
What she found was a community that made a difficult time feel lighter. Shared conversations, kind neighbors, and the warmth of fellow guests helped ease the isolation that so often comes with cancer treatment. “I feel like I am getting the best care in the best place.” “I feel at home here. There’s never a time where you can’t walk out your door and find someone to talk to.”
For Cheryl, SECU Caring House became more than a place to stay close to treatment. It became a place where the stress of cancer treatment felt lighter, where community replaced isolation, and where she could focus on what matters most: healing.
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First published on secucaringhouse.org
