This is the fifth story in a Healing With Nature series that focuses on Forest Preserve District visitors who benefit physically and mentally from being in nature.

Nature, family and friendship helped Tom Scott of Crete dig his way out of a very dark place. 

In December 2022, Tom’s best friend, Bobby “Butch” Baker, died of pancreatic cancer. Ten days later, Tom was diagnosed with kidney cancer. He had to have a kidney surgically removed and additional treatment for areas where the cancer had spread. 

“I had cancer of the lymph nodes, and a tumor on my liver, my bladder, and my right lung,” he said. 

He started 54-weeks of cancer treatments in April 2023. That’s when Tom said he entered some dark days.

“Your mind is telling you that this is it and the cancer is going to take over and I’ll be gone,” he said. “It was scary.”

Walking Suggestion

The Scotts and Bakers had been very close friends for 26 years before Butch died, vacationing every year together, celebrating family occasions and dining out "constantly," Tom said. 

After Tom recovered from his surgery, his wife, Linda, and Butch’s widow, Nancy Baker of Beecher, suggested he start walking to improve his strength and lessen his anxiety. 

“I started walking a little bit every other day through the field next to my house,” Tom said. “Then I started walking on the road and continued onto Cottage Grove (Avenue) every day.”

He would walk one telephone pole more each day and little by little, the walks got longer. 

Meanwhile, Nancy, took her own advice and started walking by her home to deal with the death of Butch. Both Nancy and Tom said walking along roads meant they had to be wary of vehicles and occasionally jump into ditches when cars got too close. It wasn't the peaceful experience they were craving.

So, Nancy decided to walk on the trails at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve and she asked Tom to tag along. They started out slowly only going a few miles a day. Now they walk around 5 or so miles together daily. 

Healing Walks 

In December 2023, Tom had a new CT scan and an MRI. 

“My oncologist told me all the cancer in my body was gone, except a small tumor on the right lung,” he said. “She asked me what I was doing. I told her I walk every morning at least 5 miles in the forest preserve listening to music or talking with Nancy.

“Walking in the forest preserve, it cleared my mind and got me back to being healthy,” Tom added. “I lost 42 pounds, and here it is a year and a half later I am 71 years old and healthier than I have ever been. I look forward to walking in the forest preserve every morning.”

Tom, who worked as a project manager for a structural steel fabricator before retirement, said he loves walking in the preserve because he sees something different every day. 

“We have seen all four seasons in the forest preserve and the transformation is amazing,” he said. “It’s unbelievable how the flowers change with all the different colors.”

Tom and Nancy said they’ve seen birds, deer, owls, wild turkeys, muskrats, egrets and herons on their walks. They also appreciate the friendliness of Plum Creek Nature Center staff and Forest Preserve police. Tom has been so enamored of the District, he started volunteering at Forest Preserve events this year. 

Nancy, 60, who is a retired assistant vice president at a bank, said the walks have also helped her grieve the loss of her husband. 

“It’s peaceful and serene out here. It’s just beautiful. I was not in a good place when we started walking,” she said. “But knowing I was helping Tom made me feel better.”

And when Tom’s oncologist told him he had to work on his upper body strength, he bought a kayak and started kayaking and pedal boating at Monee Reservoir with his wife, grandkids and Nancy.

“The water is like glass,” he said. “It clears your mind because your mind is your worst enemy.”

Giving thanks

As he continues to fight for his health, Tom said he’s thankful for Linda and Nancy’s push to get outside and get moving when he was at the lowest point in his life. 

“I believe if more people got into nature there would be a whole lot less stress in the world,” he said. “Life gets crazy at times but if you take a little bit of time to enjoy nature, it helps. It frees your mind and brings you back to a happier time in your life. Out here, you forget it all.”

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches this year, Tom was contacted via email to see how he is doing. He said he has much to be grateful for and that his walks with Nancy are continuing. 

“I am thankful that I survived cancer,” he said. “And that Nancy can talk about Butch. I’m extremely grateful that Nancy is doing better. We walk and talk every day. She taught us to look at the sunrise and sunset. We enjoy every day we are alive.”