As pastor of a small church in Alaska, Veteran Jerry Cooper and his wife Sherry lead a quiet, idyllic life.  That all changed in August, 2008 when Jerry's doctor said he was "pretty sure" Jerry had lung cancer.

"We were shocked," said Sherry.  After several weeks of testing and a biopsy, the diagnosis was confirmed.   On September 21 the couple left Alaska for VA Puget Sound Health Care System. 

For eleven days the Coopers lodged in a motel, isolation and loneliness compounding their pre-op concerns.  But on the day of Jerry's surgery Sherry checked into the Fisher House and the difference astonished her.

"Fisher House is the most amazing place!  The facility has everything you would ever need to be comfortable.  The people in charge are so friendly, concerned and helpful".  It was a relief to be saving on living costs, a "financial Godsend" in Sherry's words, but she added,  "this place is so much more!"

As one of the first families to come into VA Puget Sound Fisher House, Sherry was one of the first guests to experience the "magic" of Fisher House: how total strangers from different parts of the country and different life experiences become a family.

"Each evening, after spending a long day at the hospital, it is such a blessing to be able to sit around with others that are going through similar problems.  These women will always have a very special place in my heart".

Sherry's first stay at Fisher House lasted into December.  Just before Christmas Jerry was discharged and the couple flew to the mid west to spend the holidays with family. 

Shortly after the start of 2009, however, they were back in Fisher House.  This time Jerry would be staying with Sherry while undergoing outpatient chemotherapy. The couple appreciated being so close to the hospital for Jerry's daily course of treatment and Sherry was convinced that all the "good home cooking" in Fisher House helped keep up Jerry's strength.

The combined total of the two stays was 177 days and during that time the Coopers became almost the mascots for Fisher House.  Whenever there was a media request they were asked to tell their story.  They also saw a lot of the Puget Sound area during their stay.  Sherry laughs, "I know this city just about as well as any native by now!"

As much as they missed being home, the Coopers were comforted in having an extended family at the Fisher House.  "The hardest part was that people would come, we'd get close, they'd go home and we'd still be here!  But I really can't imagine what it would have been like if I'd had to do this without the Fisher House.  We've had the blessing of new friends and all their support, plus the staff who take such good care of us all.  We are so thankful".

Sherry & Jerry Cooper, relaxing in the Fisher House family room