Gastrointestinal Cancer

Beating Pancreatic Cancer

To retired Army Staff Sgt. Michael Dunagan, attitude is everything. Whether he’s fishing with his dog, Junior, by his side or spending time with his wife, Rhonda, and his three sons, Dunagan believes a positive attitude is the key to success in life.

A Soldier's Approach
When he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March of 2004, Michael knew his attitude just might make the difference between life and death. So he decided to approach it as he approached the other obstacles in his life as a soldier: He would knuckle down and get through it. And he would get the best help in fighting his disease.

“I never thought about going any place other than Scott & White,” Dunagan said.

Treatment and Recovery
By March 27, he was in surgery with Dr. Mohsen Shabahang, Director of the Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Program at Scott & White. During six hours of surgery, Dr. Shabahang removed parts of Dunagan’s stomach, pancreas and intestine. They had caught the cancer early, but his battle was far from over. His recovery was slow, and when it was over he had lost more than 100 pounds. Still, his doctors were optimistic.

“We were lucky in that we caught the cancer early, but his outlook definitely made a difference in his treatment,” said Dr. Shabahang.

Dunagan was determined to survive. “I just knew I wasn’t going to let anything beat me. I knew I was going to get better.”

A Return to Service
His motivation during this time? Besides his family, it was his dedication to the armed forces. During his Army career, he had served as part of a forward re-con team and as a demolitions expert for the Army. Even after he retired and obtained his degree in computer information systems, he knew he wanted to work closely with the military. During the seven weeks of chemotherapy that followed his surgery, Dunagan kept his eyes focused on one goal: going to Iraq.

“It helped me find a way to function," he said. "I just set my sights on it and never looked back.”

He completed his treatment the week after Thanksgiving. Nine weeks later he was in Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom at the Forward Operating Base in Kalsu as a civilian contractor. He was, “feeling great, even when it was 116 degrees.”

A Life Saved at Scott & White
He returned home four months later, a little thinner and a little tired, but still happy to serve. “My wife, she knows this is important to me so she supports me 100 percent.”

And he credits his physicians with helping him get there. “A lot of folks were pulling for me. I’ll always be grateful to them.”

– By Karen Matthews

Back to Top