Family House Diaries
This is a series from UNC Health Care that focuses on the stories of UNC Hospitals patients and their families who live in the SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals while receiving or awaiting treatment.
Credit for these articles is given to UNC Hospitals and to Elizabeth Swaringen, author.
LUELLA LOVE: NEW LONGS FOR A NEW LIFE: Luella Love, 48, was born with cystic fibrosis (CF), a life-shortening inherited disease that causes abnormally thick, sticky mucus to build up in the breathing passages and in the pancreas, resulting in breathing difficulties and related digestive system issues. At Luella’s birth, life expectancy for CF patients hovered in the teens. The Concord, NC, resident stayed at Family House after receiving a lung transplant in Nov. 2011.
DAVID ALSTON: SNATCHING THE SILVER LINING: David Alston is facing his cancer armed with knowledge and a proactive interest in his treatment. The Carrboro, N.C., native and his mother, Barbara, are staying at the Family House while he undergoes a rare triple-tandem transplant of his own stem cells, the first time the procedure has been done at UNC Hospitals on an adult. Here at Family House, Barbara says, they are finding the comfort and support they need. Video by Chris Carmichael at this link .
BERNIDENE UZZELL: ON SANCTUARY: Bernidene Uzzell has spent her entire life taking care of others. Stage IV colon cancer made Bernidene take care of herself. The Kinston, N.C., native credits the Family House with providing her a sanctuary to heal. Video by Chris Carmichael at this link.
ANN HARTLINE: CANCER DIAGNOSIS INSPIRES THE ARTIST WITHIN: Ann Hartline, a former cardiac nurse from Asheville, N.C., credits her breast cancer diagnosis with inspiring her to take up painting farm animals and landscapes, playing the ukulele and learning to fly fish. Video by Justin Cook.
JEAN ROGERS: A SMILE OF GRATITUDE: A smile, even a crooked one, speaks volumes about a Robeson County native’s gratitude for her family, her medical team and the fellow patients she met along the way.
A NEW HEART + A NEW KIDNEY = A NEW LIFE: A new heart and a new kidney give a 28-year-old Wilson woman, unwell since age 7, a second chance at life. Crystal Sharpe becomes the 11th recipient of a heart and kidney transplant at UNC Hospitals. Video by Courtney Potter.
JOHNNY AND PHYLLIS DEAL: An uncommon tumor and two co-existing conditions it triggered have given a 55-year-old Lenior, N.C., man a roller-coaster of a medical journey. He’s also gained a precious gift: more time with his grandson. Video by Courtney Potter.
Click here to be transferred to the UNC Health Care site for more inspiring Family Diaries