Bro. Jim McClurkan survived kidney stones and a direct hit by a tornado in 2023.

He was focused on the final repairs to St. Andrews Methodist Church in Amory when another storm found him in May 2024, and he was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer.

“It was hard to believe; I’m usually the one to help people,” said Jim, who also serves as pastor for Smithville Methodist Church. “Here I was the person who needed help.”

As he approaches his first anniversary as a cancer survivor, the 56-year-old pastor said his journey hasn’t been easy, but faith has sustained him.

“God’s hand helped me through the whole thing,” Jim said.

Gut check

In May 2024, Jim had some bowel symptoms that appeared to be connected to a dietary supplement he was taking to avoid side effects of medication for high cholesterol. His wife, Renee, who is a nurse, encouraged him to check in with his doctor and consider a colonoscopy just to make sure.

Colon cancer wasn’t on his radar. In 2018, his screening colonoscopy had been clear. He wasn’t due to repeat the screening for 10 years. When his GI symptoms resolved, he almost canceled the colonoscopy.

“We decided to go through with it, thank God,” McClurkan said.

The colonoscopy performed by gastroenterologist Dr. John Phillips at the Center for Digestive Health found a small tumor in his colon.

Initially, it was hard to believe he had cancer as he prepared for colon surgery with Dr. Stephen McAdory at North Mississippi Medical Center-Tupelo.

“I felt fine,” Jim said.

On June 10, 2024, Dr. McAdory removed Jim’s tumor, 12 inches of his colon and 17 lymph nodes for testing. One lymph node came back positive, indicating Jim’s cancer had started to spread beyond his colon.

“I’m glad we caught it then; it was small, but fast-growing,” Jim said.

His surgical recovery went smoothly. Jim was home from the hospital in two days and only missed two Sundays at the Amory and Smithville pulpits.

Chemotherapy was much more challenging for Jim. Because his cancer showed signs of spreading outside the colon, his Cancer Care team, led by medical oncologist Dr. Jiahuai Tan, used an aggressive protocol including both oral and IV chemotherapy to reduce the chance his cancer would return.

“Chemo was hard,” Jim said.

The McClurkans had to cancel their beloved RV camping trips. Jim was hospitalized for eight days with severe dehydration that caused a bowel blockage. His colleagues filled in for him at the pulpit, and his friends, his congregations and family stepped up to help his wife, Renee. He leaned on his support network and dwelled in prayer through the difficult times.

“I’ve preached all this stuff, and now I’m having to apply it,” Jim said. “God’s grace is sufficient for life’s trials, but I’d have liked a little less.”

Better days

Since he ended treatment, Jim has done well. His blood work and scans show no cancer activity. His December PET scan was clear.

“God is great,” Jim said. “Life is good.”

The McClurkans have enjoyed the time they’ve had with their daughters, Chloe and Emily, their sons-in-law and four grandchildren.

They’ve returned to the road in their RV. Jim said he is looking forward to rescheduling many of the trips that had to be canceled last summer. He particularly relishes the short trips to Piney Grove Campground near New Site on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.

“It recharges my batteries to look at the water as it rolls by,” Jim said. “It does something for my whole being.”

Take action

While the preparation for a colonoscopy is not the most pleasant activity, Jim encourages others that it is worth the inconvenience. Current guidelines now recommend colon cancer screening starting at age 45 for people of average risk.

“Just get it done.” Jim said. “It’s an easy thing to put off.”

Likewise, it’s important not to ignore lingering GI symptoms, even if they don’t seem like a big deal, Jim said. If he had waited until his next screening colonoscopy was due, the outcome likely would have been dire.

“If I hadn’t paid attention, I probably would be dead before 65,” Jim said. “My dad always said, ‘God gave you a head for more than for you to grow hair on.’”