Watch the Video of Doug’s Survivor Series Story
Doug Webster’s Unyielding Spirit: A Journey with GIST
In 1998, Doug Webster’s life took an unexpected turn when a routine blood donation revealed a troubling secret—his hemoglobin levels were dangerously low. What began as a simple act of generosity soon unraveled into a 27-year battle with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), a rare cancer affecting fewer than 3,000 people annually.Now, with a spirit unbroken and a heart full of gratitude, Doug’s story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of living fully, shared through the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance’s Survivor Series.
A Hidden Threat: The Road to Diagnosis
Doug’s journey started innocently enough. A regular blood donor, he was praised for his O-positive blood, ideal for newborns in distress. But one day in 1998, a nurse noticed his blood sank instead of floating during a hemoglobin test, a red flag that sent him to his doctor, Dr. Steven Graddick. Tests showed his blood volume was just 6.5%, half the normal range, straining his heart. Iron pills and liver became part of his routine,while colonoscopies and endoscopes searched for the cause of his silent bleeding. Years passed with no answers until April 2004, when a colonoscopy revealed an anomaly near his colon. A CT scan uncovered a shocking truth: a five-and-a-half-pound tumor, the size of a soccerball, wrapped around his colon—a discovery that would change everything.
A Rare Challenge: Understanding GIST
Doug’s cancer, GIST, is a rare sarcoma tied to a genetic error on his ninth chromosome, triggering an enzyme that fuels tumor growth in soft tissues. Found on his colon, this first tumor was awake-up call, but its rarity meant limited research and treatment options at the time. Doctors removed 18 inches of his colon,connecting it to his small intestine, only for an infection to force a second surgery in October 2004, removing his entire colon and leaving a temporary colostomy. This genetic foe would recur six times, each instance met with new medical breakthroughs that kept Doug fighting, turning his diagnosis into a story of survival against the odds.
A Fight with Hope: Surgery, Drugs, and Faith
The battle was intense. In April 2004, surgeons removed the massive tumor, but recurrences followed. A new drug,Gleevec, originally for leukemia, became Doug’s ally, though it brought nausea and a strict schedule—eat, wait 20 minutes, take the pill, or it wouldn’t work. After two years, a liver recurrence led to surgery by Dr. Steven Trocha, a neighbor-turned-surgeon, followed by Sunitinib, his current treatment. In 2020, two golf ball-sized tumors near his vena cava posed a deadly risk, but a clinical trial at the National Institutes of Health offered hope. Drs. Andrew Blakely and Jonathan Hernandez clamped off his liver’s blood flow, removed the tumors, and watched as Doug’s liver turned pink in just 10 minutes – a miracle that extended his life. Through it all, Doug leaned on faith, feeling guided by a higher purpose, a belief that carried him through each challenge.
Living Fully: Family,Work, and Joy
Doug’s family became his anchor. With his wife, Alita and daughter, Rebecca, he chose to embrace life, taking memorable trips and celebrating milestones like Rebecca’s graduations and wedding. He still works full-time as a commercial real estate broker, meeting people and sharing his story. A highlight came with the Cancer Survivors Park’s Lip Sync Battle, where he transformed into Shania Twain, complete with oversized breast implants and a bra from Family Dollar, delighting the crowd as he peeled off layers and tossed his hat. “It was one of the funniest nights I’ve ever had,” he recalls, a moment of joy that lifted his spirit and gave back to a community that supported him.
A Place of Peace: The Cancer Survivors Park
The Cancer Survivors Park holds a special place in Doug’s heart. When it opened, Alita and Rebecca surprised him with a tribute on the boardwalk, “In Thanksgiving of Douglas Webster,” a gesture that brought tears and laughter. He visits often, finding solace among the lion statue, the blue heron, and the flowing water, a space to reflect and thank God for his blessings. Participating in the park’s events, like the Lip Sync Contest, has deepened his connection, offering a chance to inspire others. For Doug, the park is a haven—a place to sit quietly, enjoy nature, and remember that others share this journey, some still fighting, some at peace.
A Message for Others
For those newly diagnosed, Doug’s advice is simple yet profound: listen to your doctors, get regular checkups, and hold onto hope. “Maintain an optimistic point of view regardless of how bad the prognosis is,” he urges, knowing God works in mysterious ways. The park, he says, can be a sanctuary to express fears and hopes, a community to lean on. After nearly three decades, Doug faces his future with peace, grateful for each day. “Cancer survivor to me means that the process that I’ve gone through and the journey that I’ve been taking has given me peace and serenity to fight something that’s very deadly and be thankful for all the blessings I’ve received,” he shares, his words a beacon of hope for all.
Know someone who has experienced cancer & should be featured in the Survivor Stories? Send us a message at cancersurvivorspark.org.
Story by Mary Pat Minor of Everloom, SC
Photo by Sliced Tomato Productions