How St. Luke’s and a community partnership helped create ‘home away from home’ for recovering patient

After several cancer diagnoses and treatment complications, St. Luke’s patient Michelle “Shelly” Butler, discovered that the road to recovery is a team effort.

It was a concept she was certainly aware of as a former St. Luke’s team member, but not fully realized until her turn as a patient.  

Butler was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2024. After discovering unusual tissue that sparked her concern, she sent pictures through MyChart to get an appointment. Fortunately, her primary care provider, Dr. Jonathan Currey, had a cancellation and ordered an ultrasound.

The ultrasound led to a biopsy that confirmed the lump was cancer. A second cancer was later identified. To treat them, Shelly underwent three surgeries, including a mastectomy. Many of her treatments, surgeries and chemotherapy appointments were in Boise.

Since she lives more than 100 miles away in McCall, commuting was out of the question. That’s when St. Luke’s oncology social worker Meredith Ward helped Shelly connect to the St. Luke’s Guest House and receive funding from the St. Luke’s Foundation to cover portions of her stay.

“For cancer patients like Shelly, time and distance can become real barriers to care,” said Whitney Springston, St. Luke’s Foundation director of annual giving. “The Boise Guest House is one way this generous community helps remove those barriers, giving patients the time and space they need to rest, recover and heal.”

The Guest House is a short walk from St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center and is close to the foothills, walking paths and other local amenities.

The proximity became a godsend for Butler, who missed McCall and being active.

“Activity is like therapy to me,” she said. “I cross-country ski and walk, though not as much after my mastectomy. That was really hard.”

But she was determined to get up. Butler discovered the recently renovated property where the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office is located. The area has been a public green space for over 150 years and was a sanctuary of sorts during her treatment.

“Having the garden close was like having a home away from home,” Butler said. “It changed with the seasons and was well taken care of, plus the benches allowed me to sit when I couldn’t walk the entire grounds all at once.”

Understanding the role of nature in healing, reducing stress, improving mood and providing physical health and wellness benefits, St. Luke’s provided funds to restore the site and supports ongoing upkeep.

“These historic grounds offer a calm and contemplative respite in busy downtown Boise for users, including nearby residents, visitors to downtown, hospital staff and patients,” said Dan Everhart, interim State Historic Preservation Office administrator.

Between the two diagnoses and complications with treatment and medications, Butler admittedly fell into a depressive period. She attributed her turnaround to her care team, which promptly adjusted her medication and connected her with behavioral health support. Also, the availability of the guest house, which alleviated travel stress and her nature walks.

“It has truly been encouraging for me on my dark days and enjoyable on my good days,” she said.

St. Luke’s demonstrates that attending to a patient’s care needs goes beyond medical treatment. It’s in the everyday details and considerations, even through solidifying community partnerships, that make a patient feel like they matter.