Jim Walters

Dr. Jim Walters cares for patients on a daily basis. As a practicing emergency physician in Grand Haven, Michigan, he's treated a wide array of cases - ranging from minor fevers to life-threatening medical crises.

Ironically, in December of 2007, and at the age of only 41, Jim was faced with his own life-changing medical crisis when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Being diagnosed…

Being adopted, Jim was not privy to his biological family's medical history. Knowing this, his wife Molly, who is also a family practice physician, suggested that Jim have his PSA level checked during a routine physical exam.

An active runner since his early 20's and with no symptoms of prostate cancer – Jim had little concern the simple test would return any negative results. In fact, Jim was so at ease about his screening that he completed a 30 mile bike ride the evening before.

"I wanted to get my PSA levels checked as a baseline," said Jim. "Not knowing if I had a family history of prostate cancer – it was an important thing to establish."

Family history is closely linked to the probability of a man being diagnosed with prostate cancer. According to statistics, men are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer if they have had a first-degree relative (father, brother or son) who has previously been diagnosed. Men with two or more relatives are nearly four times as likely to be diagnosed.

To Jim's surprise, the blood test revealed that his PSA level was 8.8. (normal PSA levels generally range from 1-4). Now a bit concerned, he still attributed the reading to possible prostatitis - a somewhat common enlargement of the prostate gland - or perhaps to the bike ride the night before his blood was drawn. Unfortunately, after one more PSA test and two sets of biopsies, it was confirmed - Jim had cancer.

"Although I'm a doctor, I didn't know a whole lot about the disease before being diagnosed," said Jim. "I've treated patients in the emergency room that weren't doing well from complications of prostate cancer. But when you go through two sets of biopsies and have a confirmed diagnosis yourself, it puts things in a totally different perspective."

Going home to tell his with wife and three young children he had cancer was a difficult event. It was a conversation Jim did not look forward to having.

"It wasn’t the easy sitting down with my four-year-old daughter and telling her 'daddy has cancer'," Jim recalls.

The next move…

After extensive research of available medical treatments for his prostate cancer, Jim concluded surgery would be his best option. Having never had a major surgery, Jim was anxious yet buoyed by the possibility of having the cancer removed. In May of 2008, Jim underwent a robotic radical prostatectomy performed by Dr. David Wood at the University of Michigan.

"I wanted to move on to treatment, but at age 41 I really looked toward long term survival," said Jim. "Being a doctor in some ways made it easier for me, yet more difficult at the same time. Surgery is always a scary thing, and I knew there were possible complications. I had a lot of apprehension."

Providing more accuracy and enhanced outcomes, the robotic radical prostatectomy has become a routinely used method for removing prostate cancer. After removing the prostate itself, the surgeon will stitch the urethra directly to the bladder so urine is able to flow.

Although a successful surgery, Jim’s initial recovery from his prostatectomy was not pleasant. Because it typically takes a few days for the body to get used to its new urological setup, Jim's surgeon had inserted a catheter into his bladder. As a result, for the first ten days after surgery Jim laid in bed, extremely exhausted.

"The week after surgery was no fun," recalls Jim. "Having that catheter in was the most difficult part of it all. However, I knew that if the cancer was gone, it was worth it."

Life as a survivor…

While not taking place overnight, Jim's life has returned back to normal in all aspects physically since surgery. He initially made use of setting athletic goals as a tool for recovery, signing up for the Grand Haven Triathlon one week prior to his prostatectomy. Shortly after having his catheter removed, and having gained the energy to get out of bed – Jim began light exercise. Gradually thereafter he became physically stronger and began to train harder for his event. In just eight weeks after his surgery, Jim finished the triathlon with a faster time than he anticipated.

Since his treatment Jim has connected with Athletes for a Cure and is making a point to raise awareness for prostate cancer and early detection and treatment. He is doing it for the millions of men and family members who had to endure what he had to go through.

"I looked at fundraising for prostate cancer research as turning a negative into a positive," said Jim. "Now I'll talk to anyone any time about prostate cancer. It's a disease that is all too often swept under the rug."

Being a survivor of prostate cancer has also changed how Jim interacts with his patients. When he sees the word cancer on a patient's chart it brings him back to a place he knows well – bonding him with his patients in a special way.

"Being on the other end of a cancer diagnosis gives you an entirely different perspective," said Jim.