I would like to thank Accent Inns in Victoria, B.C. for making my first stay so very comfortable.
I stayed at Accent Inns Victoria during my first chemotherapy treatment at the BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Island Centre. This is a pet friendly hotel and I can highly recommend it. Staff were efficient, super friendly and professional at every point along the way, from booking to check in and they worked hard to accommodate every need that I had.
I would also like to thank everybody who has been sending funds to assist with my cancer care, as this is how I paid for my stay at the hotel, through YouCaring fund-raising donations. I have also received some funds via email bank transfer and cheques in the mail. Thank YOU!
Teddy the standard poodle arrives at Accent Inns Victoria for his first pet friendly hotel stay.
For many of us, pets and dogs are family.
The hardest part of my first chemotherapy was going to be (I thought) not having my dog with me. Breast cancer is expensive. Accent Inns not only gave me a discounted compassionate / medical rate, but they also permitted my standard poodle Teddy to stay with me.
I stayed here because the cancer lodge was full. It ended up being an amazing alternative because I could have my dog with me.
I also saved money by having a full kitchenette in my room, and two queen size beds so that my medical escort was comfortable also. Having a kitchenette in my room allowed me to make my own meals, to bring food from home, eat healthy (I have food sensitivities so I could not eat everything at the cancer lodge) which is crucial during cancer treatment.
Staying at a hotel also saved me money and energy by not having to go driving around looking for restaurants. It also was ideal, as I wanted to avoid public places (restaurants) as much as possible during treatment.
My stay was quiet (back of the hotel) and clean. Every staff member was friendly and appeared to love working there. One staff member came right out to the car upon my arrival as they were so excited to meet Teddy! … and greeted him in the car with a dog cookie! Now that is service. Even my dog was made to feel welcome. I could repeat it over and over, staff were super friendly. This matters to me. It made me want to come back.
And I am coming back!
I posted about Accent Inns all over Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and some total stranger paid for my next hotel stay, in advance, so that Teddy could once again, be by my side right after chemo. Thank you sooooo much!
I better go and pack, as I leave early, first thing tomorrow morning for my next chemotherapy treatment and I look forward to staying at my home away from home, Accent Inns!
Teddy and I will see you really soon.
With gratitude,
Brenda Johima
