Cancer affects entire families, not just the person diagnosed. In this MEOC Impact story, Development Director Liz Daugherty shares her family’s experience during her father’s battle with head and neck cancer and the support they received through the Mountain Laurel Cancer Support & Resource Center.
In January 2023, our family received the devastating news that my dad had been diagnosed with an aggressive and invasive type of head and neck cancer. What followed was a journey that tested us emotionally, physically, and financially in ways we never could have imagined.
The months that followed were filled with uncertainty.
After the initial surgery, his cancer required intensive treatment multiple times each week, and there were several moments when we came very close to losing him. Watching someone you love fight for their life is a feeling that is impossible to put into words. Every appointment, every treatment, and every setback brought new worries and challenges.
As the treatments became more demanding, maintaining my dad’s nutrition became critical to his survival and recovery. The side effects of treatment made eating and swallowing extremely difficult, and there came a point when he required a feeding tube to ensure he received the nutrition necessary to sustain him through treatment. Nutritional supplements became a necessity rather than a luxury, providing the calories and nutrients his body desperately needed as he fought to heal. Frequent trips to medical appointments also created transportation challenges and added financial strain during an already overwhelming time.
My mother rarely left his side. She was his caregiver, advocate, and source of strength through every appointment, procedure, and difficult day. Between caring for my dad around the clock, managing his feeding tube, and navigating the demands of his treatment schedule, there was little time left for anything else.
During this period, the nutritional meals provided through MEOC’s Mountain Laurel Cancer Support & Resource Center became another lifeline for our family. Having access to meals eased one more burden and allowed my mother to focus her energy where it was needed most — caring for my dad!
Every detail mattered. Every ride to treatment, every nutritional supplement, every meal, and every act of support played a role in helping him endure the fight of his life. These were not simply services; they were essential pieces of his care and recovery.
During some of our darkest days, MEOC’s Mountain Laurel Cancer Support & Resource Center came alongside our family and provided support when we needed it most. Through their assistance, my dad received nutritional supplements, delivered meals, and transportation assistance that ensured he could get to the appointments that were so vital to his care.
We were also blessed by an incredible community of friends, family members, neighbors, and loved ones who walked beside us throughout this journey. Whether through prayers, phone calls, visits, meals, encouragement, or simply being present when we needed them most, they reminded us that we were not alone. Each act of kindness, no matter how small it may have seemed, helped carry our family through some of our darkest moments.
For me personally, this support brought peace of mind. Living in Indiana while my parents were facing this battle in Southwest Virginia was incredibly difficult. Being hundreds of miles away left me feeling helpless at times, but knowing that MEOC, the Mountain Laurel Cancer Support & Resource Center, and our community were there to support my parents, eased many of my worries. I knew they were surrounded by people who cared and that they were not facing this journey alone.
Cancer affects far more than the person diagnosed. It impacts spouses, children, caregivers, and entire families. MEOC’s Mountain Laurel Cancer Support & Resource Center understands those challenges and meets families where they are with compassion, dignity, and practical support.
Today, I am grateful to share that my dad is cancer-free. While we celebrate this incredible blessing, the effects of his cancer journey remain part of our daily lives. The effects of radiation and chemotherapy continue to impact him, making it difficult for him to eat certain foods and affecting both his vision and hearing. These lasting challenges serve as a reminder of everything he endured and the strength it took to overcome it.
Looking back, I know that my dad’s journey was not one he traveled alone. It was made possible through the dedication of healthcare providers, the unwavering love of my mother, the support of friends and family, and the compassionate assistance provided by MEOC’s Mountain Laurel Cancer Support & Resource Center.
Today, every moment we share with him feels like a gift. Our family will forever be grateful for the organizations and individuals who stood beside us during one of the most difficult seasons of our lives and helped transform fear into hope.
