The week after Sheila retired from teaching, she went in for what she expected to be routine blood work. Instead of celebrating a new chapter, she received a life-altering diagnosis: chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
While CLL is often slow growing, Sheila’s case was aggressive and resistant to treatment.
Despite multiple rounds of chemotherapy, the cancer continued to progress. Each time it returned, it came back stronger—eventually transforming into enlarged B-cell lymphoma. As her lymph nodes swelled, Sheila struggled to swallow food, and the toll of treatment grew heavier.
Doctors told Sheila and her husband, Tim, that the best path forward was a stem cell transplant. That meant leaving their home in Billings and relocating to Denver for several months of treatment and recovery—at a time when they were already exhausted in every way.
That’s when they found Brent’s Place.
At Brent’s Place, Sheila and Tim found far more than housing during treatment. They were welcomed into a comfortable, very clean, fully furnished apartment, complemented during the week with a nourishing, chef-prepared breakfast and several dinners that were very much appreciated at the end of a long day. Everyday burdens were reduced—the convenience of the on-site pantry for unexpected grocery or cleaning items, the availability of Brent’s Place staff to answer questions or help locate a nearby grocery store or pharmacy—simply having someone there when needed.
Just as meaningful was the sense of connection. They found themselves surrounded by other families who also had to deal with the uncertainty, the fear, and the hope that defined each day. They played games, worked on puzzles, had BBQs, and most of all encouraged one another through the ups and downs of treatment and caregiving.
“Brent’s Place wasn’t just a place to stay—it was a community,” Sheila shared. “They cared for us in ways that went far beyond giving us a room. If you wanted to, you could really make it your own little community.”
The staff, along with residents who shared the same haircut—bald—and their caregivers in particular, made a lasting impact. Being in the same space at Brent’s Place made that possible.
Today, Sheila is back home and recovering well. Though their time in Denver has come to an end, the comfort, dignity, and community they found at Brent’s Place remain part of their story.
And no matter what lies ahead, our doors are always open.
Support families like Sheila’s today.
