As the star of his own reality TV series this spring, Kauai veterinarian Scott Sims was soaring high. People loved his passion for saving stricken animals — a guinea pig with a tumor, a goat with a hernia, an unconscious horse in a rocky streambed.
There’s even a pig out there that can see again thanks to his efforts.
But Sims could use a savior of his own. He was diagnosed this month with bladder cancer that spread to his liver. Instead of talking to Nat Geo Wild executives about a second season of "Aloha Vet," the 59-year-old Sims is mulling over treatment options.
The cancer has forced him to slow down, although reluctantly, he said in a call from Kauai.
Sims usually works 10 to 14 hours a day, six days week, and doesn’t often say no to a case. Last week he still planned to fly his personal plane to Molokai to operate on a horse.
"I need to get focused on other things right now," he said. "I don’t know how much backing off I am going to do. Certainly now I am. I hope that is not going to last."
Sims was diagnosed on June 1 after finding blood in his urine. He was waiting for results of a biopsy last week.
"I don’t have a tremendous number of options," he said. "These are the cards I have been dealt and I need to deal with it. I still believe in quality of life over quantity of life. That is really the critical issue."
Nat Geo Wild aired eight episodes. Sims had an entourage of production people around him last fall, including a drone pilot.
"It was both fun and frustrating," he said of the experience. "It’s kind of an ego trip. That’s the reality of it. It was fascinating to see the process. But it’s time-consuming. The fact that you have a bunch of people following you around slows you down."
People enjoyed the show, he said.
"It was good TV that whole families could watch together and that is kind of cool," Sims said. "I think Nat Geo did a wonderful job. They made me look better than I am."
Sims said he definitely would like to do a second season, assuming he has his cancer under control. At the moment, the cancer isn’t even what’s making him feel uncomfortable. Instead, he’s recovering from a cracked rib and sprained ligament in his neck, injuries he sustained when he was jostled by a horse he was treating.
"I’ve been talking to Nat Geo and they don’t want me to talk a lot about that stuff," Sims said. "We’ve been discussing whether or not to go ahead with the second season despite my condition. I don’t know what the story is going to be."
In an emailed statement, Nat Geo Wild said all production decisions remain on hold.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dr. Sims during this challenging time," the statement read. "Nat Geo Wild fully supports him as he goes through this difficult medical diagnosis and we are hopeful he will be able to live a healthy life."
On Kauai, where Sims has treated animals for 14 years, the reaction to his diagnosis has been heartwarming, he said.
"It makes you feel like you did something worthwhile," he said. "Not just with a TV show but with life in general."
Sims said his illness is a reality check with a silver lining that might surprise some. He is very philosophical.
"Would I wish this on anybody?" he asked. "Of course not. But is it all bad? No, it isn’t all bad. I get to tell people I care about that I care about them. And they can tell that to me. And those are good things."
AND that’s a wrap …
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Mike Gordon is the Star-Advertiser’s film and television writer. Read his Outtakes Online blog at honolulupulse.com. Reach him at 529-4803 or email mgordon@staradvertiser.com.
