Outdoors help to regenerate after cancer treatment: Meet @roywalton

TERESA: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect?

@roywalton: I have stage 3 colorectal cancer and am currently being treated at Mayo Clinic. At first, I joined Mayo Clinic Connect because I wanted to learn what other people are dealing with. Now I find that I can actually provide some information to patients that might be helpful as well as my own experience and perspective.

TERESA: What motivates you to take part in Mayo Clinic Connect?

@roywalton: Working for more than 40 years in drug development and clinical trials as well as participating in a clinical trial myself as a patient, I have seen firsthand what patients go through when faced with a serious diagnosis. So I wanted to help others in any way I can.

TERESA: What about Mayo Clinic Connect makes you feel comfortable to share and to be open with the community?

@roywalton: I'm glad that Mayo Clinic Connect allows members to remain anonymous and there are monitors that review information when it's posted. The questions people pose are honest and forthright.

TERESA: What support groups do you participate in?

@roywalton: The Colorectal Cancer support group at this time.

TERESA: Tell us about a meaningful moment on Mayo Clinic Connect.

@roywalton: I feel very positive when members refer to my comments or even ask questions of me directly. I try to contribute based on actual research findings and publications.

TERESA: What surprised you the most about Mayo Clinic Connect? 

@roywalton: People are very open about their issues and problems. Of course having worked for Mayo Clinic for 20 years and having been a patient there, you realize what a high standard Mayo has created. At times, I'm surprised at the advice and care being apparently given by other institutions.

TERESA: What energizes you, or how do you find balance in your life?

@roywalton: Realizing that we are only given one day at a time. I was very amazed at my first meetings at Mayo Clinic and the emphasis they placed on life balance and the spiritual basis of your life, and how important that is. I now pay far more attention to interactions with people I’m close to, family members and people I meet. Although I live in the Twin Cities, I have a property up north at which I spend a lot of time with my two springer spaniels. I also do a lot of creative work with aerial drones and photography.

TERESA: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity.

@roywalton: I like anything outdoors, especially hunting. I found hiking through pine and oak forest was especially regenerating following my surgery and chemo last year.

TERESA: Do you have a favorite quote, life motto or personal mantra?

ywalton: My daughter in Florida and I read books together. I just sent her a quote from a recent read, Theo of Golden by Allen Levi:

We all walk roads of various descriptions in life. The long and winding road. The road to ruin. Easy Street. The road less traveled. Along the way, there are questions, there is news, there are concerns and fears and uncertainties that furrow our brows, trouble our souls, and break our hearts. Death terrifies many of us. “But God, in His sublime goodness, has always sent others, mysterious others, to walk with us — prophets, preachers, friends, teachers, artists, storytellers, wives and husbands, children, songbirds and rivers, even hardship and loss — to help us see clearly….”

 TERESA: What do you appreciate the most in your friends?

@roywalton: They are my family. They understand me and are available to talk about anything, they include a friend I've had for 63 years.

TERESA: What food can you simply not resist? 

@roywalton: I would have to say venison loin, marinated in my special sauce and flashed In the Traeger (smoker) grill.

TERESA: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you? 

@roywalton: I would cast myself because no one knows me better than I do! No actor would understand my motive and thought process, or be able to extract from my life experiences and all that I've learned.

TERESA: What do you love about where you live or vacation?

@roywalton: Minnesota is a fantastic place full of so many outdoor activities. I love the four seasons—the lakes, the wilderness and the variety of landscapes constantly change.

TERESA: Puppies or kittens? 

@roywalton: My two springer spaniels, Sage and Scout, accompany me every minute of the day. They have different personalities and yet get along so well together. In fact, right now Sage’s head is resting on Scout’s back.

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