Prostate cancer survivor: "He convinced me I could beat this — and he was right"

For Rick Davis, retirement was supposed to be about hobbies, hunting, and time with family. But in early 2024, a routine checkup turned into something life-changing: a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Davis, a Muncie native, had always been active, spending his time managing an auto shop as a hobby and enjoying the outdoors. Cancer wasn’t something he had ever anticipated. But during his annual checkup, his physician noticed a high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in his bloodwork, an indicator of potential prostate issues. Without hesitation, his doctor referred him to Sam Kim, MD, IU Health Urology – Muncie.

From the moment he met Dr. Kim, Davis felt confident in his care. The surgeon’s straightforward and transparent approach put him at ease. After undergoing further testing, Davis received the official prostate cancer diagnosis. He was given several treatment options, including chemotherapy and radiation, but after reviewing his case, Dr. Kim believed surgery could provide the best outcome.

He didn’t take the decision lightly and asked Dr. Kim what he would do if their roles were reversed: “I asked him, ‘If I were your father, what would you do?’ And he said, ‘This is what I would do.’ So I said, ‘Do it.’”

Davis underwent surgery in April 2024. While the procedure itself went smoothly, complications arose during his recovery. Internal bleeding led to an additional surgery, and when his healing process stalled, another procedure was required.

Despite the setbacks, he never doubted his care team. Dr. Kim and the hospital staff were with him every step of the way, ensuring he received the care he needed. What stood out most was the personal attention he received from his surgeon.

“Dr. Kim was in every day, checking on me himself,” Davis says. “What really shocked me was the morning of my surgery, he asked if I was a religious person. I said yes, and he said, ‘Let’s pray together.’ I had never had a surgeon do that before. That meant a lot.”

Even after Davis was discharged, Dr. Kim continued to follow up. “He was calling me at home on different occasions—at 7:30, 8 o’clock at night—just to check in. How many doctors do that?”
A few weeks after surgery, he returned for follow-up testing. That’s when he heard the words he had been waiting for.

“One of the greatest things I ever heard was when Dr. Kim said, ‘You are cancer-free.’ I won’t forget it,” he says. The relief was overwhelming. After months of uncertainty, he could finally move forward.

Now fully recovered, Davis is back to doing what he loves: managing his auto shop, hunting, and planning a well-deserved vacation with his wife. His experience has shifted his perspective, making him even more appreciative of the time he has with his loved ones.

He is now on a mission to encourage others, particularly men, to take their health seriously. He stresses the importance of routine screenings and early detection.

“I tell my friends all the time, ‘Get your prostate checked.’ Nobody wants to hear that something isn’t working like it should, but because I caught mine early, I’m still here today.”

Looking back, he has no doubt he made the right decision.

“If it had been another surgeon, I don’t know that they could have convinced me that surgery was the right thing. But Dr. Kim convinced me I could beat this. And he was right.”

Today, Davis says cancer is no longer a thought in his daily life. His only reminders are a few scars, but to him, they serve as proof that he made it through.

“I didn’t have to have the surgery,” he says. “I could have waited and let things progress, but I wanted to take action. And because I did, I get to keep living my life.”