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, writer and Courtney Potter, videographer.
GETTING LIFE BACK AFTER A LIVER TRANSPLANT
Almost seven weeks after receiving a new liver, Dennis Foster, 56, returns to work part-time as a ranger with the U.S. Forest Service, forever grateful for a second chance thanks to the kindness of strangers.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE JOURNEY
Sherri Jutz of New Bern, N.C., is living with myasthenia gravis, a condition that robs her of the energy she needs to do even the simplest tasks and to enjoy leisure pastimes. But she isn’t angry about this, Jutz says, and is grateful for what she has. This is her story.
EXPERIENCING UNC AS A PATIENT, NOT A STUDENT
24-year-old Cedric Faison of Battleboro, N.C., intended to spend this spring semester finishing his undergraduate music education degree at East Carolina University. Instead, he’s spent most of the term at UNC Hospitals being treated for a brain tumor.
LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST
For 54 of his 58 years, Jack Newmann has lived with Type I diabetes and its consequences, but he hasn’t stopped living.
POST-BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT
For Lilly Parillo, a bone marrow transplant at UNC Hospitals rid her 19-year-old body of chronic myelogenous leukemia.
NEW LUNGS AND NEW FRIENDS
Kena Sawyers isn’t sure she will be home for Christmas, but she’s already enjoying precious gifts: new lungs and great friends.
FROM BURNS TO BLESSINGS
A fiery accident left Robert Leffer of Sanford, N.C., with life-threatening injuries, permanent disfigurement and lifetime rehabilitation ahead – and more blessings than Leffer, his wife Amalia and his health care team can sometimes find words to describe.
NEW SKIN
20-year-old Caitlin Hughes of Charlotte lost 90 percent of her skin after suffering a severe reaction to antibiotics prescribed for acne. This is the story of her remarkable recovery.
HEART TRANSPLANT
Russell Ford received a heart transplant at UNC Hospitals in July 2009 after suffering from congestive heart failure for 10 years. This is his, and his family’s, story.
LIVER TRANSPLANT
For Anna W. Barnhill, the third telephone call was the charm. It brought news of a new liver for a new life.
CERVICAL CANCER
Three recurrences of cervical cancer hasn’t stopped Tammy Blankenship from living life to the fullest.
HOUSE FIRE
A devastating house fire scarred Holly Baltar’s body and soul in life-changing ways.
HIGH RISK PREGNANCY
Mandatory bed rest for a high-risk pregnancy is delivering more blessings and teaching more lessons than Francine Wild or her mother Connie Wild ever dreamed possible.