Finding Your Tailwind: WCI Patient James Olson's Journey Through Cancer

James Olson knew how to navigate a crisis. After years of working in communications for major airlines, including US Airways and United Airlines, he had faced his share of high-pressure situations – including the day Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger safely landed US Airways Flight 1549 on New York’s Hudson River.

But nothing could have prepared James for the personal crisis that began with an unexpected trip to the emergency room in 2023.

That visit ultimately led to a stage 4 metastatic melanoma diagnosis and the beginning of a journey that would challenge James in ways he never anticipated. Along the way, he drew on lessons from his aviation career, the support of those around him and the care he received from AON partner practice, Woodlands Cancer Institute (WCI) physicians Dr. Krishna Pachipala and Dr. Jason Berilgen.

Today, James is sharing his experience, and the perspective he gained from it, in hopes of helping others navigate life’s unexpected storms.

Q: Did you have any symptoms before your diagnosis?

One night, I woke up with excruciating pain in my lower back. When pain reliever didn’t help, I went to the emergency room. The ER doctor ran several tests, including a CT scan. They couldn’t find the source of the pain. But the scan happened to capture part of my lung and revealed a large mass.

That discovery led me to a pulmonologist for a biopsy, and I was eventually referred to Woodlands Cancer Institute.

My doctors don’t believe the back pain was related to the cancer, and we still don’t know what caused it. Without that pain and the incidental finding on the scan, though, I don’t know when we would have discovered the cancer.

Q: What was it like to hear that you had cancer?

Dr. Krishana Pachipala gave me the results of my lung biopsy during my first appointment at Woodlands Cancer Institute. It wasn’t lung cancer, as we initially thought. It was stage 4 metastatic melanoma.

In that moment, everything felt like it was moving in slow motion. I had never noticed any concerning spots on my skin during my annual physical exams, so it was a complete shock to learn that I had melanoma and that it had spread to my lung.

I had another wave of fear when Dr. Pachipala ordered a brain MRI to determine whether the melanoma had spread there as well. I didn’t think I could handle it. And when I learned I had a 1.5 inch tumor in my brain, I was speechless. But Dr. Pachipala already had a plan. Having that direction gave me something to hold on to.

Q: What did your treatment plan look like?

At my first appointment, Dr. Pachipala talked about immunotherapy. I’d never heard of it, so he took the time to explain how it worked by only targeting the cancer. He believed I’d be a good candidate because I was in good shape and patients like me typically experienced high rates of success. I started to feel optimistic.

For the tumor in my brain, he referred me to Dr. Jason Berilgen, a radiation oncologist at WCI. Dr. Berilgen recommended treating the brain tumor with one focused treatment: a single 15-minute radiation blast.

Q: How did you feel going through treatment?

At my first immunotherapy treatment, I joked with Dr. Pachipala that they must have given me the placebo because I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was. The only side effects Dr. Pachipala had seen in his patients were fatigue, rashes, and itchiness.

Radiation made me more nervous. I pictured having to shave my head and being treated with hot lasers. Dr. Berilgen reassured me that I wouldn’t have to shave my head, wouldn’t feel a thing during treatment and would leave in the same condition as when I arrived.  

The procedure went just as he had explained. I wore a custom mask to help keep my head in position and lay on a table while a laser circled my head for 15 minutes. It was painless.

Having my doctors explain each step made an unfamiliar and frightening experience feel much more manageable.

Q: What helped you through the uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis?

I’ve learned a lot throughout my career working in communications for major airlines. One lesson that stuck with me was the crisis protocol that student pilots learn before they ever take flight: Aviate, Navigate, Communicate. I decided to embrace that approach as I faced my own crisis.

I saw that philosophy in action when I was vice president of corporate communications for US Airways and Capt. Sully Sullenberger safely landed Flight 1549 on the Hudson River. In the middle of an extraordinary crisis, he focused first on flying the plane. Then he determined where he could safely land. Finally, he communicated with his crew and passengers.

During my journey, I tried to do something similar. First, I focused on stabilizing the situation rather than becoming overwhelmed by everything that might happen next. Then, I tried to navigate the storm in front of me instead of fighting against it.

Now, I’m at the “communicate” stage by sharing my story.

And I’ve added a fourth step: Appreciate.

For me, it’s important to express my gratitude to the people who have helped make my comeback possible.

Q: Tell us about your relationships with Dr. Pachipala and Dr. Berilgen.

I think of Dr. Pachipala and Dr. Berilgen in much the same way I think of Capt. Sully: calm, composed, and reassuring. They both helped guide me toward a safe landing.

I’m grateful for their compassion and honesty when discussing my diagnosis and treatment. I’m also grateful for their patience. They took the time to explain what was happening and answer every question I could think of. When you’re facing something as frightening as cancer, having physicians who make you feel heard and cared for means so much.

Q: What advice would you give to someone reading your story? 

Pay attention to your body, and don’t ignore something that feels unusual. Seek medical care when something doesn’t feel right.

That lesson was reinforced for me by my former boss at United Airlines, former CEO and Chairman Oscar Munoz, who had faced serious health struggles of his own. In my case, if I hadn’t gone to the emergency room when I was having back pain, the doctors may not have found the cancer.

Know your body. Listen to it, ask questions and advocate for yourself.

Q: How is your health today?

I continue to visit WCI for regular follow-up appointments so my care team can closely monitor my health.

After everything I’ve been through, I don’t take those appointments, or my good health, for granted. Cancer is a never-ending battle I am mentally, physically and spiritually prepared to confront.                                                                                                                                                                 

Q: What inspired you to share your story in your book, Tailwind?

Tailwind tells the story of my journey from setback to comeback.

When I was going through treatment, I faced another sudden and unexpected setback: a loss of vision. After having trouble seeing on a business trip, I met with my ophthalmologists, a neurologist, and Dr. Pachipala to understand what was happening. I learned that I had experienced severe optic nerve damage.

Losing my vision changed my life. I left my job and had to learn how to navigate a new low-vision world, including relearning how to use my computer.

I began writing Tailwind as a form of occupational therapy. Writing helped me process what had happened, adapt to my circumstances and begin discovering my new normal.

We all face storms in life. It may be a cancer diagnosis, another health challenge, a crisis at work or something else we never saw coming. I hope that by sharing my story, I can help someone else find a way through their own storm with determination, hope and resilience.

For me, the journey has been about more than getting through a crisis. It has been about learning how to move forward – and appreciating the people who helped carry me along the way.

Q: Beyond promoting your book, what are you doing now?

In June, I joined the global humanitarian relief and development organization — Corus International. I serve as the organization’s Chief Communications and Collaboration Officer. After 30 years as a high-flying corporate executive, my life is brimming with joy and meaning as I work with colleagues around the world to bring hope and possibility to others. I hope my personal and professional transformation can serve as an example to others that cancer doesn’t mean your journey is over — make it your tailwind! 

James Olson’s book, Tailwind can be purchased on Amazon, Target, Walmart, and other select bookstores.