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Michael Francis | Story of a Pancreatic Cancer Survivor

6-Year Pancreas Cancer Survivor Michael Francis Makes a Case for Support Groups, Specialists & Second Opinions

Diagnosed: November 2018
Survivor: Continues with Treatment

Updated By Julia Brabant October 2024

When Michael Francis’s world changed, he learned that everyone must become their own advocate for finding the best health care. “Finding an integrated health care team that can see beyond statistical survival averages can be key to getting the right care if you’re faced with a life-threatening condition,” he said.

In November 2018, Michael woke up three nights in a row after midnight feeling extremely nauseated. Then, on the fourth day, he got out of the shower and his wife noticed his skin had a lemon-yellow cast. He went to his primary care physician who suspected he had a bile duct blockage. The doctor sent him to a hospital emergency department.

After being evaluated there, he was admitted as an inpatient and shortly after that, he was diagnosed at age 68 with Stage 3 pancreas cancer that was not surgically resectable. Doctors told Michael that, in his particular case, his mass was growing around his superior mesenteric artery. If they were to try to remove it, it would be extremely dangerous, and he’d face about a 67% chance of the cancer coming back within three years, anyway.

“I was told the only treatment available to me was (a chemotherapy combination of) Gemzar (gemcitabine) with Abraxane (paclitaxel), and that the median survival for someone in my situation is three years,” Michael said. “My wife and kids sure didn’t like hearing that and my daughter, an orthodontist, said, ‘There’s got to be something else.’”

Doctors also warned Michael that, in his case, having surgery could lead to unpleasant and hard-to-manage side effects, including uncontrollable bowels. This, coupled with the high chance of a potential recurrence, led Michael to explore alternative options.

“I’m a business guy,” he said. “When there’s a 67% chance the cancer will come back, you have to ask yourself: Is quality of life more important?”

Exploring Alternative Options

Inspired by a positive experience of a close family friend who received treatment for ovarian cancer at the HonorHealth Research Institute, Michael, a Phoenix resident, reached out to researchers at HonorHealth’s Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, known for its specialists in pancreas cancer.

“I realized these guys really care, and the doctor who took my medical history for an hour and a half thought we can beat three years,” Michael said. “I was placed on a Phase II trial of three chemotherapy drugs (gemacitabine, paclitaxel and cisplatin) plus paricalcitrol (Vitamin D). But the important thing here is that without the Seena Magowitz Foundation donating money for Phase I of this trial, I would never have been able to get into the Phase II trial. Without that Phase II trial, I may not have been here today.”

The clinical trial Michael participated in, commonly known as “The Triplet,” has since become a standard, effective treatment option for people with pancreas cancer.

As part of The Triplet clinical trial, Michael endured 18 weeks of chemotherapy. He then had 33 days of radiation, and afterward, his scans looked good and his tumor marker was close to normal.

Now, about six years after his initial diagnosis, Michael continues to monitor his condition closely, having blood taken every month and scans conducted every three months. His current tumor marker is 14.3, which falls well within the “normal” range of 0 – 37. Michael also continues to take Xeloda, an oral chemotherapy, five times a week and will continue to do so for the rest of his life.

“This disease is too insidious to not constantly be checking to make sure it hasn’t come back,” he said.

Connecting With The Seena Magowitz Foundation

Michael came to the attention of the Seena Magowitz Foundation through the staff members at HonorHealth Research Institute. During his second chemotherapy treatment on Christmas Eve 2018, the Institute held a pajama contest, and Michael dressed up as the Grinch from the classic Dr. Seuss story, ultimately winning the contest.

“This is a really tough thing I’m dealing with, but I only had two choices,” Michael said. “You can either crawl up into a ball, go to a corner and die or you can have a good attitude about it and fight. I don’t choose to crawl up into a ball anywhere.”

The staff was so delighted by Michael’s attitude that, with Michael’s permission, they alerted Roger Magowitz, who created the Foundation in memory of his mother, Seena, who passed away from pancreas cancer in 2001. Roger connected with Michael and invited him to attend the Foundation’s Annual Golf Classic fundraiser in November 2019. Michael delivered an impassioned speech to the assembled guests at the event’s dinner on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019.

“I sit here today because of the people at HonorHealth Research Institute and the Seena Magowitz Foundation,” Michael said. “I thank you for that and the fact that you have given me time and hope,” he said to the attendees. “I could not be more appreciative of giving me greater time to watch my grandchildren grow up.”

In the years since his diagnosis, Michael has been able to do just that. In the midst of his treatment, his dream was to see his granddaughter go to college, and he has since seen not just one, but two of his granddaughters reach that milestone. He also has another grandchild, a grandson, who is starting to explore higher education, and Michael was also able to enjoy the recent birth of a new grandchild; his 10th.

Michael also continues to be a regular fixture at Seena Magowitz Foundation fundraisers and special events, sharing his own story with others facing pancreas cancer to help them understand their options and recognize the diagnosis is not the “death sentence” some think it is.

He has also ramped up his involvement with the foundation, helping not only raise funds, but organize manage the foundation’s support groups alongside fellow survivor Kay Kays and his own brother, Dr. Perry Francis, who serves as a group moderator.

“When we first started the support group, we had maybe 25 or 30 participants from across the country,” Michael said. “Now, we’ve grown to more than 400 nationwide participants spread across three separate groups. It’s expanded exponentially, and it’s successful because it’s patients helping patients.”

Currently, the three support groups target survivors (with more than two years of survivorship), newly diagnosed patients and caregivers, respectively, recognizing the unique needs of each group. Michael says this is beneficial for all participants, and particularly so for the newly diagnosed, many of whom share common struggles and have similar questions they may not feel comfortable asking in front of a broader audience.

While the support groups welcome patients, survivors and caregivers, some of them also feature guest appearances by pancreas cancer doctors and medical professionals who can offer knowledgeable guidance and support to participants.

Planting Optimism

On a more personal level, Michael, one of just a few rosebush growers in America, has also retired from his successful rosebush business, turning the company’s control over to his son, Tyler. Since taking over, Tyler has taken the business to new heights, tripling its size while giving Michael confidence that the legacy he built remains in capable hands.

Michael also underwent genetic testing to see if he had any genetic predispositions to cancer his son and other blood relatives should know about. However, the tests did not indicate any such predispositions. Michael remains vigilant about his health despite this, recognizing that early detection and proactive care are the keys to catching and treating a recurrence.

While Michael continues to help the Seena Magowitz Foundation further its efforts to unite people with pancreas cancer and make them more aware of their options, he also has some advice for anyone facing a recent pancreas cancer diagnosis.

“You’re not going to die,” Michael said. “You have to fight, and you have to find the right doctor and institution that will facilitate that. So many oncologists are dealing with so many different cancers – you need a pancreas cancer specialist, not a general oncologist. And get a second opinion, no matter what.”

Michael celebrated six years of survivorship from pancreas cancer in November 2024.