Jim’s Story: Listening to His Body and Living Life on His Terms
Jim has spent most of his life in and around the construction industry. A California resident, devoted husband and family man, he recently retired after a long and successful career. But the decision to retire wasn’t driven solely by age. It was shaped by a lifetime of hard-earned perspective.
The First Cancer Diagnosis
Jim’s cancer journey began in his late 30s. After noticing symptoms and advocating for himself with his doctor, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. The treatment was difficult, but he successfully overcame the disease. More importantly, the experience taught him a lesson that would stay with him for the rest of his life: Pay attention to your body and never dismiss something that doesn’t feel right.
Trusting His Instincts
That lesson proved invaluable more than a decade later. Approximately 12 years after his lymphoma diagnosis, Jim began experiencing abdominal discomfort that wouldn’t go away. Trusting his instincts, he pursued further testing. A CT scan revealed a 3.5-centimeter growth on his right kidney. Because it was detected early, his care team was able to treat it successfully.
A Third Diagnosis
Then, about a year and a half ago, Jim noticed an enlarged lymph node in his neck. Given his medical history, he knew it was something he couldn’t ignore. After monitoring it for a week and seeing no improvement, he returned for additional scans. Initially, physicians suspected a recurrence of his Hodgkin lymphoma. However, after a biopsy, Jim received a different diagnosis: HPV+ squamous cell carcinoma of the throat in November 2024.
Additional testing, including a PET scan, followed. Surgeons then removed his tonsils and later removed part of the back of his tongue. Yet, just as with his previous cancers, his vigilance paid off. Because he acted quickly, his throat cancer was caught at an early stage. He subsequently underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Finding Reassurance Through Surveillance
Before he began treatment, Jim learned about the NavDx test. About a month before surgery, he received his first NavDx test, confirming a positive result for HPV + squamous cell carcinoma of the throat. After completing surgery, radiation, and chemo, he received another test. The result came back at zero, with no evidence of disease.
Today, he continues to receive the NavDx test every three months as part of his surveillance plan. He appreciates the immediacy of the blood-based test and the information it provides between follow-up appointments. Sometimes he has his blood drawn at his provider’s office, and other times he takes advantage of NavDx-arranged Phlebotomy Services, allowing a healthcare professional to come directly to his home.
A New Perspective on What Matters Most
After facing cancer three separate times, Jim’s outlook on life has changed.
“Going through something like this for the third time gives you perspective,” he says. “It makes you reevaluate what’s important.”
That perspective ultimately influenced his decision to retire. After decades of hard work, he realized he wanted to spend more time with his family and enjoy the life he had fought so hard to preserve.
“At my age, you’re going to more funerals than weddings,” Jim reflects. “I didn’t want to work until the day I died. I wanted to enjoy life.”
Looking Ahead
Today, Jim remains focused on the things that matter most: his family, his health, and making the most of every day. His journey is a powerful reminder that listening to your body, advocating for yourself, and taking action early can make all the difference.
