Healing Begins in the Kitchen – Jim and Louanne Hughes
For couples like Jim and Louanne Hughes, the kitchen provides an invaluable resource while Jim waits for his life-saving lung transplant.
When Jim Hughes was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) in 2023, it came as a shock to him and his family. He was immediately placed on oxygen and told he would need a lung transplant to survive.
Jim and his wife, Louanne, traveled to Philadelphia after local transplant centers in the Boston area turned him down due to his complex medical condition. He was listed for a lung transplant in November of last year and has been staying at the House ever since.
The couple says the House instantly felt like home. “It’s like moving back to the neighborhood you grew up in – the people here are so warm and friendly. It’s really a huge benefit for the psyche and for your own rehabilitation,” Jim explains.
Due to Jim’s condition and a recent diabetes diagnosis, the kitchen at the House has been crucial for Louanne to prepare healthy meals tailored to his needs.
“I can create a diet for him in the kitchen that meets his needs, and that’s truly priceless,” says Louanne.
A talented cook, Louanne depends on the kitchen, cubbies, and her personal fridge space to prepare nearly every meal for both of them.
As Jim’s mobility is limited, the convenience of the kitchen has made all the difference on his journey.
“I can’t get around, and I can’t go to a restaurant. If we were in a hotel room without access to the facilities here, our lifestyle would be completely different,” Jim explains.
An updated kitchen will make it easier for Louanne and Jim to navigate the space, allowing them to spend less time cooking and more time focusing on what matters most: Jim’s care.
“[The kitchen] makes it so I don’t even have to worry about that component, it gives me more time to do other things that I have to do as a caregiver,” Louanne says.
Jim and Louanne also value the knowledge and services they’ve received at the House, which have been vital as they navigate this challenging journey. The couple, who recently celebrated their 41st anniversary, remain hopeful and eager to return home to spend time with their three children and five grandchildren
