Oconomowoc pancreatic cancer survivor shares message of hope
Oconomowoc pancreatic cancer survivor shares message of hope
An Oconomowoc man wants to give hope to those fighting pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer has one of the highest mortality rates of all major cancers, with only 13% making it past year five.
OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - An Oconomowoc man wants to give hope to those fighting pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer has one of the highest mortality rates of all major cancers, with only 13% making it past year five.
Tom's cancer journey
The backstory:
It was just earlier this month that Tom Massnick and his wife, Nancy, celebrated a milestone. "I wanted to reach the 50th wedding anniversary…" Massnick said. For many years, Massnick says it didn’t seem possible he’d be alive today.
Tom Massnick and his wife, Nancy
In 2022, Massnick was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The diagnosis came at an unlikely time. Massnick was with his wife, Nancy, at her doctor’s appointment, when the doctor noticed something wrong with him.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android
"He said, ‘I know you pretty well, Tom, your color is not what it should be,’" Massnick said. Massnick went to the hospital that day.
"They said, ‘it’s not your gallbladder – it’s fine. It looks like pancreatic cancer, so…’" Massnick said.
Tom Massnick
Massnick lost 94 pounds, had part of a lung removed, and went through more than 14 different procedures and chemotherapy sessions that lasted eight hours.
"Make sure you go to your regular doctor appointments, and they do blood work, and they test because – this isn’t something that routinely just shows up," Massnick said.
Power of Us Pancreatic Cancer Conference
Local perspective:
This weekend, Massnick is taking that message to the Seena Magowitz Foundation’s annual meeting in Milwaukee. "It’s the largest gathering every year of pancreatic survivors. It’s so inspiring. You realize, maybe I’m still around to give other people hope," Massnick said. He credits the foundation’s research and clinical trials, along with his doctors at Froedtert, for keeping him alive. Four years later, Massnick says doctors say his scans are clear.
"This is the best I’ve felt, literally, since the start of this whole journey," Massnick said.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Seena Magowitz expects more than 150 patients and survivors at this year's conference.
Portions of this article were formatted using A.I. FOX6’s Bret Lemoine and an editor reviewed it for accuracy and tone prior to publishing.
The Source: Information in this story was gathered from Tom Massnick, Nancy Massnick, Bret Lemoine, FOX6 News, the Seena Magowitz Foundation and Froedtert.