Something feels off.

John Buford, a resident of the Outer Banks (OBX) since 2005, caught the common cold in 2023, but something about it didn’t feel common at all. “I wasn’t recovering like I should have been,” he said. John had built close relationships in his OBX community, including with several providers at Outer Banks Health (OBH), so when he felt that something was off, he texted Rikki Schuster, PA-C, of OBH Urgent Care in Kitty Hawk. “She told me to come in right away,” John said.

After having tests done at the urgent care center, John was referred to Michael Spiritos, a medical oncologist-hematologist, without delay. Within 24 hours of his appointment with Dr. Spiritos, John received his test results: a cancer diagnosis. “Right away, Dr. Spiritos asked me if I had my bags packed, because he saw how urgent this was and had a room ready for me in Durham,” John said.

In shock and uncertain about his future, John left the Outer Banks to receive treatment in Durham. After several months in there, he learned he would be able to return to the Outer Banks, where Dr. Spiritos had begun seeing patients virtually.

At first, John was hesitant to go home. Having spent several months receiving treatment at a major hospital, he didn’t know what to expect in a smaller setting. “As soon as I walked in, all of my stress went away. I knew the registration nurse, and then I knew the second nurse I saw and the third. I was home. I knew they were going to take care of me,” John said. He found strength, support, and love in his community. He was confident he would be taken care of because of the close relationships he had nourished during his time on the Outer Banks. “The care was the same [as in Durham], but I found strength in being home. I could live my life.”

And that’s exactly what he’s done ever since. He spends holidays and everyday moments with friends and family, and his community has provided him the support he needs to heal. “Recovering from cancer is something I realized is not a solo journey. Having a support system and being at home helps you heal, and the Outer Banks is that [support system] for me,” John said. “Being at home and not traveling so much really gave me time and support, which helped me gain strength and gave me hope.”

John is a testament to the power of receiving cancer care at home. Receiving care on the OBX at OBH allowed him to keep moving forward not just as a cancer patient, but as a person living boldly with the right care and support he needed.

A cancer warrior and survivor, John Buford continues to Keep Making Waves on the Outer Banks.

View OBH’s cancer care accreditations here.