Years after her 2011 breast cancer diagnosis, Maria Murphy discovered Waterford Place Cancer Resource Center.
Maria, who will soon turn 75, went there after she retired three years ago because she likes to keep busy.
“I felt the love the minute I walked in the door — from the staff and the patients themselves,” she says.
Funded by philanthropy donations, Waterford Place offers services and support — at no cost to participants — to anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis. Maria describes it as her home away from home.
“They’re my second family,” she says.
Finding joy at Waterford Place
Whether she’s gardening or walking with the other participants, Maria looks forward to seeing everyone.
“It brings joy into my life,” she says. “They lift me.”
Like many survivors, Maria fears recurrence. But when she is at Waterford Place, it keeps her from thinking about cancer.
“It keeps my mind occupied, doing things and just chatting,” she says. “We talk about family and other matters.”
She takes advantage of many of the services offered, including facials, massages, sound healing, cooking demonstrations and more. She also benefits from interactions with the providers.
“You can talk to staff openly,” she says. “The providers sit and makes you feel comfortable and welcome. If I have fears, they calm me down. I believe they all have a special gift.”
Managing treatment with grace
Maria describes her breast cancer treatment as painful and stressful but says she pulled through it with a lot of grace.
“The Good Lord doesn’t send you hardships you can’t handle, and God made me one very strong woman,” she says.
Throughout her treatment, Maria worked at her job in logistics for the Federal Aviation Administration. She found strength in her work, co-workers and family.
One source of inspiration was her son who has special needs. “He’s been through so much but keeps moving forward,” she says. “I decided if he can do it, I must move on for my three children and grandchild.”
Her two daughters were her “rocks.” Her younger daughter looked after her while working on her chiropractic degree. Her other daughter, who had been living in Ireland, moved back to this country with her husband and child to be with her mom.
“I was grateful to have them around me,” Maria says.
Giving back
Now Maria volunteers as a Waterford Place ambassador, telling others about the programs and services offered. Every Wednesday, you can find her at the RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center at Rush Copley, talking to patients and listening.
“I simply love it. I love the patients who come in. People confide in me, especially the Hispanic women,” says Maria, who is bilingual. “I listen and give words of encouragement.”
Her advice to others who are diagnosed with cancer is to stay strong. “Fear comes with it,” she says, “but you’ll be all right. Stay focused. Have hope and faith. Take your journey one step at a time.”
