Troy Douglas calls his cancer diagnosis “a major life-changing event.” Diagnosed with stage 2C colon cancer at the age of 34, he’s had to think about a lot of things in the months since.
After surgery to remove his tumor, Troy started treatment at RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center at Copley. As a younger man, he had to make major decisions before starting treatment.
“It makes you think about a lot of things, like can I have children after treatment?” he shares. “We had not made some of those decisions yet. I’ve had to make life-changing choices very quickly.”
The Yorkville resident has found support and open arms at Waterford Place Cancer Resource Center. Funded by philanthropic donations, Waterford Place offers services and support — at no cost to participants — to anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis.
Different challenges for younger people
Troy’s doctor, care team and others recommended Waterford Place right after his diagnosis, so he and his wife visited the center.
“It’s been amazing,” he says. “They’ve been open, receptive, welcoming and they ask simple questions, like ‘What can we provide?’ Whether I want to relax or need to talk, it’s fantastic.”
He is grateful for the Waterford Place staff, including Omar Ramos, program development and operations manager, who asked what Troy’s specific needs are for the challenges he’s facing as a younger person with cancer.
Side effects and stigma
At Waterford Place, Troy has found the educational programs helpful as he has learned basic information about side effects and how to manage them straight from health care professionals.
Another opportunity he considers particularly beneficial has been the chance to join support groups and be around other men with a cancer diagnosis. Waterford Place offers two support groups especially for men to connect and avoid isolation as they go through treatment.
“There are a lot of stigmas about being a big, tough guy,” Troy says, and it can be hard for men to accept help. But men have options when they attend the group sessions. “You can share or not share, listen or say what you need to say, talk about cancer or pretend you don’t have cancer and talk about a sports game,” he says.
Since discovering Waterford Place, Troy and his wife have taken advantage of nearly all the programs offered, including exercise classes like yoga and Tai Chi, cooking demonstrations and spa programs. Troy was surprised to learn how helpful spa services are.
“I tried sound healing,” he says. “I would have never thought to try a service like that. It was super relaxing.”
He has also benefitted from skin care programs, after finding that cancer treatment caused dry, cracked skin on his hands and face. Geralyn O’Brien, an oncology-focused esthetician at Waterford Place, recommended products to help. He even got a facial.
‘So many things to help you’
His advice to others is to check out Waterford Place because of all the services they offer. For caregivers or patients, they provide help and support for whoever needs it and whatever their needs are.
“They have so many things to help you as a patient,” Troy says. “I’ve researched cancer resource centers. There are almost none outside of major cities. I feel extremely blessed to be here and have this. It’s big enough to offer everything you need but small enough to have that small town community feel. Omar and his staff have been amazing. I don’t know what I’d do without them.”
