Guest Spotlight - Patricia Griffith

November 9, 2011

As a mother of four and a longtime volunteer, Patricia Griffith, 81, of Greenville, N.C., has spent her life giving to others. During her stay at Family House while she is being treated for a melanoma-related leg wound, Griffith has been on the receiving end for a change.Griffith is undergoing hyperbaric oxygen treatments. After she was diagnosed with melanoma two and a half years ago, doctors removed the carcinoma from her leg and performed radiation treatments. The resulting wound did not heal. Griffith said the increased oxygen levels she is receiving from the treatments should encourage new skin to grow over the wound.

Though her treatment is an ongoing process, Griffith said her first five weeks at Family House have been a blessing. Griffith said two other house guests rearranged their schedules in order to help her. "This couple has picked me up and brought me back from my treatments."

"This has been a godsend, a wonderful place," she said.Griffith is impressed with the care she is receiving from Family House staff, guests, and volunteers during her stay.She spoke fondly of a group of fraternity brothers who came to prepare dinner for the guests one evening.

"Each frat brother sat at a table to speak with the guests," Griffith said.

Because of the sense of community she feels, Griffith said Family House truly lives up to its name."It’s the closest thing to a home and a family that you can find," she said. "Family House has meant the world to me."

Comments

No comments have been posted.

View all articles from SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals

Return to the overview page for SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals