“I was in shock.”
Life changed in an instant for the Milotay family when their son Asher suddenly suffered a brain bleed in February 2022. His mom and dad rushed him to the hospital where he was prepped for emergency surgery and they were transported by helicopter from Victoria to BC Children’s Hospital.

Once there, the family learned that Asher had Primary CNS Sarcoma (a type of brain tumour) and would require 8 rounds of chemotherapy and 6 weeks of radiation. In addition, his brain bleed caused him to lose function on his left side, meaning that he also needed intensive rehab therapies alongside his cancer treatments.

Enabling family support
Asher’s mom Kelly remembers initially being in shock, not knowing what to expect – but with accommodation taken care of at RMH BC & Yukon, the Milotays could make plans for taking care of Asher and their other children.

Asher’s siblings were in middle school and high school, so uprooting them wasn’t an option. Kelly and her husband took turns travelling between Victoria and the hospital in Vancouver, with support from grandparents helping to keep the family afloat. “My mom and stepdad dropped everything to help,” remembers Kelly. “My mom stayed in Victoria to help support everyone there, while my stepdad stayed at RMH BC & Yukon and came to the hospital daily.” Staying at the House made this support from family possible when they needed each other the most.

Comfort and stability
“Being away from home was brutal and very unsettling,” shares Kelly. “Our family is all neurodivergent, so having things constantly disrupted on top of dealing with Asher’s difficult cancer treatment was really, really difficult. During this time RMH BC and Yukon was a bright light. The facilities are beautiful and having an aesthetically pleasing place to stay definitely soothed our minds. It provided a constant when our world turned upside down. We knew that there would be family meals, the ability to prepare home-cooked comfort food, and a comfortable bed.”

More than just a place to stay
When first checking in to RMH BC & Yukon, the Milotays expected to find something like a hotel – but were surprised to find so much more support.

For Asher’s parents and grandparents, the Family Meals program helped to ease financial and emotional burdens and provided a sense of normalcy. “Seeing the volunteers who have poured their hearts into coming to prepare and serve the meals is a highlight,” says Kelly. “It brings a little bit of the outside regular world in.”

Asher spent most of his time in the hospital during, treatment, but when he was able to join his family at the House, he loved Music Therapy with Erin, as well as having the chance to enjoy holiday celebrations (spooky Halloween bingo and trick-or-treating were highlights!), as well as the chance to borrow books from the library shelves around the House.

Most importantly, staying at the House allowed the Milotay family the space to care for each other in a calming environment. “I know that Asher is comfortable when I am comfortable, and RMH BC & Yukon is definitely a place of comfort for me,” says Kelly.

A continued home away from home
On returning home after Asher’s intensive treatment, Kelly remembers the first things she wanted to do: “Wake up in my own bed with my whole family together in our own house – and leave my dishes on the counter overnight!”

Happily, the family is reunited at home in Victoria, but when they return to Vancouver every three months for follow-up appointments, they know they have their home away from home at RMH BC & Yukon to return to whenever they need it.