Families From All Walks of Life, Sharing a Common Journey
Families come to Brent’s Place from all over the Rocky Mountain Region with hopes of helping their loved one get well. While these families come from different backgrounds and geographic locations and may fight different diseases, they all share one common goal…going home healthy.Below are the stories of a few of the families who have called Brent’s Place home.
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2 year old Polina, from Deadwood, South Dakota, came to Brent's Place on March 3, 2011 for treatment for her Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. She and her dad, Sean, are mostly separated from her mom, Natalia, and two older sisters so that Natalia can remain at work and home for their older daughter's senior year of high school and freshman year of college. Sean was working on a degree in Electrical Engineering when Polina was diagnosed, and plans to return once she is well. It is hard on them to be living life as 2 families in 2 homes, where Natalia works 8 days in a row so that she can join Polina and Sean for 6 days before returning to SD to do it all again! Polina's favorite thing to do is watch t.v., since she can't run, jump and play. Her favorite show is Yo Gabba Gabba. They say the best part of staying at Brent's Place is the "Safe-Clean" environment so there is no risk of infection, which is one less thing to worry about. Everyone on staff lends support and a shoulder to cry on, and help in ways you may not know you need help. Since the staff has "been there, done that", they help in many ways through their experiences with the other families and in their own lives. |
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On April 28, 2011, 11 year old Lizzie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare cancer that affects only 400 people per year. 80% are teenagers, and 80% of these are boys. Her tumor was misdiagnosed several times before she was referred to an orthopedist who referred her to Children's Hospital Colorado where the final diagnosis was made. The cancer spread everywhere except her brain. After several rounds of chemotherapy, she was able to use her own cells for her bone marrow transplant. Although her treatment still included radiation, Lizzie and her mom, Meredith, were happy to go home to Windsor, CO in mid-December 2011! At home, Lizzie will be reunited with her twin sister Anneslee, and her little sister, Abby. In order to take care of Lizzie, Meredith is taking a year off from her position as a preschool teacher. The family has a tremendous support system from the people of Windsor. During their time at Brent's Place, Lizzie enjoyed a home a way from home that allowed her tohave her own bed in her own space, which gave her a more normal life, as well as a chance to be social again. Her favorite things were the arts & crafts, especially making snow globes, and Allen's cooking! |
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Simon is a 13 year old from Elbert, CO who has been staying at Brent’s Place since June. Simon had a bone marrow transplant (BMT) on June 9. His siblings Ezri 11, and Beau 8, are staying at Brent’s Place with him, along with their mom Cheryl. All 3 kids are attending school online with a charter school in Colorado Springs. His other siblings, Oliver 15, and Warren 19, are at home with their dad Bob, in the country outside of Colorado Springs. The biggest effect on their life has been the 4 month separation of their family. The best part of staying at Brent’s Place is the sense of community – Family Night meals, camaraderie with the other families, and the interaction with the staff. Brent’s Place is a safe place to be, a shelter in a storm, and where kids can forget that they are sick. Simon’s favorite things are playing video games and legos. What they miss the most from home are their pets – 6 dogs, 4 cats, 2 horses, and a bunny. Remember they live in the country!!! And they love THE AMAZING STAFF!!! |
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Delaney is a bright and cheery 8 year old who received treatment for stage 4 Neuroblastoma. She loves things that sparkle, swimming and playing outside where she can swing, dance, jump and be a crazy kid. She is a big fan of Justin Bieber. Delaney stayed with Brent’s Place since April 2010, and finished up treatment in Denver was able to go back home to Grand Junction in mid-July! Delaney’s mom, Wendy, said the best part about staying at Brent’s Place is that it is close to the hospital which makes it really convenient, and having their own apartment, where they could be on their own, but also a great facility where there were activities and things to keep them occupied if they wanted to hang out with other people. She said "Brent’s Place has meant that we know we have a safe place, we are welcome and can be together as a family. We know that it is all okay. Brent’s Place is amazing." |
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Max is an imaginative 7 year old who lived at Brent's Place from July 2010 to June 2011! He and his mom Bobbie moved in when his Leukemia relapsed and he needed a "Safe-Clean" place to stay. Bobbie had to stop working and quit school and Max had to leave school and his normal life in Ridgeway. Although they aren't city people, Max has liked seeing the museums and sporting events. He loves going to the aquarium, playing combat and dueling with swords. They say the staff is the best part of Brent's Place, with all the support and care they provide. Knowing that Max is in a safe environment has been so important and everyone at Brent's Place is always looking out for each other and being careful, but kids can still be kids. |
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Alexis, "Lexi", is a 7 year old who stayed at Brent's Place with her mom, Michelle, for just over a month in October & November 2010. Lexi had a bone marrow transplant and recovered so quickly from her treatment that she was able to go home about a month early! While at Brent's Place, Lexi really liked Family Nights, playing on the playground, finding games in the resource room, watching cable TV and being able to watch Sponge Bob. (They don't have Sponge Bob at the hospital.) Her parents liked the comforting environment and really appreciated the learning experience for how to keep the apartment "Safe-Clean" for Lexi, like they'll need to do at home. Brent's Place was convenient and close to the hospital and they found the Brent's Place staff to be friendly and helpful. |
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Chandra is a spunky 5 year old who was waiting for a new heart. She has received her transplant and is doing great! Chandra stayed at Brent’s Place from April 2011 until January 2011 with her mom, while her dad, sister and brother were all back home in Northeast Colorado. Chandra loves playing, riding bikes and playing house. The financial and emotional aspects of Chandra’s illness have been difficult for the family, but being able to stay at Brent’s Place, so convenient to the hospital, really helped. They knew that when they got the call for Chandra’s new heart, they would be able to get to the hospital very quickly. They say that Brent’s Place has been a savior for their family. |
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Megan is a 10 year old who stayed at Brent's Place from February to April 2010. We love staying in touch with our families and spoke with Megan's mom for this update. Megan is doing really well! She is doing a full day of school at home with her dad and planning to go back to regular school in March. She is very excited to get to be back with other kids. She now has beautiful, dark, ringlet hair. She and her family are adjusting to life at home. There is a lot of extra cleaning required to keep their house "Safe-Clean" and they have to keep sick siblings away from Megan, but it is nice to be away from the hospital and back to some normalcy. |
Brent’s Place | 11980 East 16th Avenue | Aurora, Colorado 80010 | Phone 720-343-2800 | Fax 303-831-4567