.png){kind=logo}
It all started with what should have been a peaceful camping trip. But Seth woke up in excruciating pain, with no clue that his life was about to change. Over the next six weeks, he visited multiple doctors, each giving him a clean bill of health. Yet the pain lingered, along with a deep sense that something was terribly wrong.
After more tests, they discovered abnormal liver enzymes and platelets, but even then, Seth was told to wait a few more weeks for follow-up. However, when his gums began to bleed—an alarming sign for anyone, but especially for Seth and his wife, both of whom work in dentistry—they knew they couldn’t wait any longer.
Their worst fears were confirmed. The diagnosis: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
As Seth began the fight for his life, facing bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and the uncertainty of long-term treatment, he and his wife were also preparing for another life-changing event—welcoming their first child. His wife was 30 weeks pregnant.
Amid the whirlwind of fear and uncertainty, they found a lifeline: Brent’s Place.
At Brent’s Place, Seth and his family discovered not just a roof over their heads, but a community that truly cared. The apartment was big enough for Seth, his wife, and their baby. Most importantly, they were close to the hospital, easing the burden of daily treatments and appointments.
“On my good days, we’d walk to the hospital. That was really nice,” Seth shared.
There were moments of joy, too, even during the toughest times. One highlight of their stay at Brent’s Place was taking their newborn daughter to her first movie. Together with other Brent’s Place families, they watched Wish at the theater, a rare moment of normalcy and happiness in an otherwise challenging journey.
Despite a successful first round of treatment, Seth’s battle wasn’t over. He relapsed and had to return to the hospital, and his family once again found refuge at Brent’s Place. Over the course of six months between his two stays, they leaned on the sense of community that Brent’s Place fosters.
“The sense of community is huge,” Seth reflected. “During my second stay, I met someone who had just gotten a transplant. I could tell him what it was like and reassure him that it would all be okay. It’s incredible to meet people going through the same thing and know you’re not alone.”
Today, a year into his recovery, Seth is growing stronger with each passing day. Determined to give back to the place that supported him, he signed up for the Roadless Ride to raise funds for Brent’s Place. Though this was sidelined by a cold, he proudly wears his Roadless Ride jersey on his regular bike rides as a symbol of hope and resilience.
Brent’s Place is honored to have been a source of comfort for Seth and his family. Every family deserves a safe, welcoming home during their most challenging times. And with the generosity of our community, we can continue to make that possible.
Comments