I had officially made it to the second part of my transplant journey: recovery.

For the next 30 days, I stayed at Gabriel House of Care, located near the Mayo Clinic campus. My experience there was truly a blessing. The house was comfortable, welcoming, and incredibly convenient. We were able to take a shuttle to my medical appointments, which meant we did not have to worry about navigating traffic or finding parking.

Gabriel House requires every patient to have a caregiver who can prepare meals, provide transportation to appointments, help manage medications, and assist with anything else the patient may need. My dear husband, David, served as my caregiver, and he did an amazing job.

David planned our meals, shopped for groceries, and prepared breakfast, lunch, and dinner for us each day. Caring for someone recovering from a transplant is a tremendous responsibility, and I am so grateful for the love, patience, and dedication he showed throughout our stay.

Gabriel House played an important role in my recovery. Because many of the guests are immunosuppressed, the staff works hard to keep the building clean and sanitized. Knowing that we were staying in an environment designed specifically for patients with serious medical needs gave us tremendous peace of mind.

We also enjoyed meeting other patients and caregivers during our stay. We formed friendships with people who understood many of the challenges we were experiencing. There was a special sense of community throughout the house.

This experience also showed me just how important caregiver support is. While I rested and recovered, David connected with many of the other caregivers in the heart of the home: the kitchen.

Just like in many homes, people naturally gathered around the kitchen. Caregivers would stand at their individual cooking stations, preparing meals while talking, laughing, sharing stories, and getting to know one another. They encouraged each other and built relationships through their shared experiences.

Twice each week, volunteers from local churches, community organizations, and businesses provided meals for the residents and caregivers. These meals meant so much to us.

Caregivers work incredibly hard, and it was wonderful to see them receive a break from planning, cooking, and cleaning. Everyone was able to sit down together and enjoy a meal that had been lovingly prepared and served to us. The volunteers brought delicious, nutritious, and interesting meals, along with dessert. They even stayed to clean everything afterward!

Gabriel House of Care also offered activities and educational classes, including Tai Chi, cooking and nutrition classes, and caregiver support sessions. David participated in several of the classes, and we are already using some of the recipes he learned during our stay.

We received my surprises while there.  My sister sent us a Factor meal plan, a baked ziti for dinner and a scrumptious gooey butter cake. My dear friend Laura sent us a beautiful trunk filled with tasty Harry & David treats.  These really made us feel at home away from home an I am forever grateful to them.

However, the greatest gift we received at Gabriel House was the time David and I were able to spend together.

When I first learned that we would need to remain near Mayo Clinic for 30 days, I never considered that the experience would give us so much uninterrupted time together. In many ways, it felt like a 30-day getaway for just the two of us.

Of course, the reason for our stay was serious, and there were appointments, medications, and recovery challenges to manage. Still, having that time together was such an unexpected blessing.

That was truly the best part. ❤️

If you ever need to remain away from home for an extended period of medical treatment or recovery, I encourage you to look for a patient hospitality home similar to Gabriel House of Care. It can be a wonderful alternative to staying in a hotel or vacation rental because it offers not only comfortable accommodations, but also understanding, support, community, and resources created specifically for patients and caregivers.

Gabriel House of Care is sustained through prayers, generous volunteers, and charitable donations. I encourage you to learn more about their story and the many ways they have cared for and shown love to patients and families during some of the most difficult seasons of their lives.