Cancer and Clinical Services Patient Stories

“But you are not supposed to have this. You are too young.”

This was the continual reaction from friends and family when William Triplett, 46, a dad and local business owner from Hilliard, revealed he had been diagnosed with stage III colon cancer.

Will, who owns Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus in downtown Columbus, began experiencing rectal bleeding right before the pandemic (December 2019). He wasn’t too concerned — probably a hemorrhoid — but scheduled a colonoscopy to be safe based on the advice of his primary care physician. 

Then the COVID-19 pandemic flipped the world upside down, and his colonoscopy was delayed. Not too long after that, he began experiencing intense pain in his rectum saying it felt like he was “sitting on a small balloon.” He thought it was probably just a hemorrhoid, but then he started bleeding more intensely – and it wouldn’t stop. He ended up going to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with colon cancer.

“I remember thinking … OK, this is real and now we have to deal with it: stage III colon cancer.” This was in May 2020, in the thick of the pandemic. The treatment path was clear: neoadjuvant therapy or radiation followed by surgery was his best bet for cancer control.

He sought a second opinion at The James and a third at The Cleveland Clinic, where he learned that Matthew Kalady, MD —  who headed up colorectal surgery at Cleveland Clinic – had just accepted a position in Columbus at The James.

He immediately began chemotherapy, followed by radiation therapy then surgery. He has been cancer-free for two years, and he says he feels both super grateful and lucky.

He says looking back, he wishes he had sought out medical advice earlier but “I can’t look back only forward. I will say though that I encourage everyone who may be having concerning symptoms — no matter what age — to seek medical advice. Don’t be afraid to talk about it or be too proud or embarrassed to do something about it. Know your family medical history. It could literally save your life.”

“I was strong in my faith before this, but this experience strengthened my faith even more.”

Now Will is monitored regularly with imaging and blood work and an annual colonoscopy. He says he is grateful he was able to work throughout the entire treatment process. “I didn’t have time or space to feel sorry for myself, and it helped push me through.”

He stays busy with his sons’ sports — basketball, baseball —  and family activities. He is looking forward to spring break with his boys and wife in the Florida Keys.

He calls out stigma and male pride, saying that if he had one message for other men out there it would be to get over the pride and talk to a doctor about concerning symptoms, get screened and don’t waste a minute doing so.