A Remarkable Journey: Conquering Stage IV Cancer

Read Time: 4 minutes

Jim has always been determined to be the best at everything he does. A standout performer in his healthcare career. A persistent half marathon runner. A doting partner to his fiancée.

And now, winning his fight against stage IV metastatic prostate cancer.

During an annual physical, Jim’s primary care physician noticed an increasing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) score – a measurement of a type of protein that can detect prostate cancer. After careful monitoring, Jim’s PSA score was in a high enough range to trigger urgency from his doctor.

In addition to startling lab results, Jim began experiencing a sudden onset of noticeable symptoms. For someone competing in two to three half marathons each year, Jim was in great shape. But he began noticing long car rides were making him sore. He was waking up multiple times a night and would step out of meetings during the day to use the restroom. He was chronically exhausted.

Jim was soon diagnosed with prostate cancer and he chose to seek treatment at SCRI Oncology Partners in Nashville who offer a direct research collaboration with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI). As an executive in the healthcare industry, Jim knew about SCRI and its reputation as a global leader in community-based clinical trials. He immediately contacted SCRI Oncology Partners for a consult as he knew the practice offered highly skilled physicians who could explain the best treatment options, and he hoped for a treatment partner that could offer long-term care closer to home.

In April of 2024, Jim was quickly put in the care of Benjamin Garmezy, MD, associate director of Genitourinary Cancer Research, SCRI and medical oncologist, SCRI Oncology Partners. Dr. Garmezy ordered additional testing and scans, revealing Jim was not only battling stage IV metastatic prostate cancer, but that it had spread to his lymph nodes, hips and spine.

“I was absolutely terrified,” Jim says. “I didn’t know what to think, and it’s still difficult to put into words what it is like to hear the word ‘cancer.’ You never think it is going to happen to you. Then when it does, you’re paralyzed.”

Although Jim was scared, he showed up with a fighter’s mentality. “I wanted to fight this as hard and as fast as I could,” he says.

And that’s exactly what he did.

Dr. Garmezy suggested an aggressive treatment – by controlling his testosterone levels, which can fuel prostate cancer, and enrollment in a clinical trial aimed at targeting his type of cancer.

“I am very competitive, I like to be in control, and I’m a fighter, but you can’t fight something that is internal by yourself,” Jim explains. “I was reeling from the diagnosis and needed someone to help me make a plan. Dr. Garmezy helped me get off the mat. With that first treatment, I felt like I was doing something to combat the cancer, I could finally fight. With a plan, I felt optimistic.”

Jim’s trial included two daily oral medications and an injection every few months, fortunately with very few side effects.

“I was afraid I would have to trade my vitality to get better,” he says. “I didn’t, which is amazing. I did have fatigue and a little GI upset, but I was able to work and vacation during my battle. I’m just so thankful I was able to maintain my quality of life.”

Jim adds that it wasn’t just the outstanding clinical care he received that stood out.

The cancer journey can be a very lonely one. When he shared his diagnosis with others in his life, he says many stopped coming by – not because they didn’t care, he explains, but simply because they didn’t know what to say.

With SCRI Oncology Partners, he found not only a team of skilled doctors, clinical nurses, palliative care nurses and compassionate caregivers, but a team of cheerleaders who supported him and his caregiver, every step of the way.

“If you know someone with cancer, regardless of what stage they’re at, talk to them,” he says. “Cancer is very isolating, and people are afraid to say things. Talk to them about football, flowers or the weather. Talk to them about what you would have talked about before they were diagnosed with cancer. My care team got to know me and my fiancée and celebrated milestones with us – that’s huge when you feel so alone.”

By July – just three months after enrolling in the clinical trial at stage IV – Jim’s PSA score was not only in the normal range, but his scans showed no signs of disease.

“When I saw those numbers, I was like, ‘Touchdown!’ Because I’m a top performer – I’ve been a top performer in everything I’ve done, so I totally and completely expected for me to be the top performer in beating cancer,” he chuckles. “This clinical trial truly saved my life. And I have so much life left to live.”