A young mother from Bruce Rock, will be going home for Christmas after spending six months living at Crawford Lodge in Nedlands with her family while undergoing treatment for leukaemia.
Mel Blake said her family's life was stopped in its tracks in June when they received the shock diagnosis.
"I was constantly tired and then shortly after moving some wood one day a huge big, blue bruise came up on my calf when I was in the shower," Ms Blake said.
"I went to the doctor for a blood test on the Monday and by Tuesday morning the haematologist called me and told me I need to get straight to Perth to have a bone marrow test.
"He told me that, optimistically, I had two weeks to live without treatment as it was very aggressive.
"That Thursday I had the test and was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, and from that day on, could not leave the hospital."
Mel's husband Vernon said the diagnosis had taken a toll on the family emotionally and financially.
"Our life just stopped that week," Mr Jetta said.
"We rehomed the dogs and set off for Perth.
"I haven't been able to return to work as I had to be here to look after Mel and our young son Jed, and Jed hasn't had any home schooling since Mel got the diagnosis.
"We couldn't have done this without the support of the lodge; they were like family to us, so welcoming and accommodating."
After more than 170 days at Crawford Lodge, Mel and her family will finally say goodbye.
Cancer Council WA's cancer information and support services director Melanie Marsh said she was thrilled the family were going home, as this festive season Cancer Council WA's Crawford and Milroy Lodge accommodation facilities would be home to numerous cancer atients and their carers from regional WA.
"For most Western Australians, the holiday season means winding down and taking time off to celebrate with loved ones," Ms Marsh said.
"But cancer doesn't take a Christmas break and neither do we.
"We have more than 5000 check-ins by people from regional WA each year with an average stay of eight days at our lodges.
"However, the number of people from regional WA seeking our accommodation while undergoing cancer treatment during the Christmas period seems to have doubled in the past 10 years.
"In 2008, we had close to 40 guests during the Christmas period and in 2018 that number had almost doubled to 75.
"We already have 64 guests booked for the Christmas period and expect several more as the days leading up to Christmas get closer.
"As Crawford Lodge's longest staying guests in 2019, we are so happy that Mel, Vernon and Jed will be home for Christmas."
