9 years after diagnosis, pancreas cancer survivor shares his story of hope

When Ronald Lackey started feeling tired in 2015, he brushed it off at first. But when he noticed his skin turning yellow later that year, he knew something was wrong. An MRI ordered by his nurse practitioner in Beaumont revealed a tumor on his pancreas – and it changed everything.

“Nine years ago, I had the privilege of operating on a man whose case still inspires me to this day,” said Dr. William Fisher, pancreas surgeon at Baylor Medicine. “He was referred to me after presenting with jaundice and unexplained weight loss – both classic, and often  ominous, signs of pancreatic cancer.”

Fisher recommended a Whipple procedure, a complex operation that involves removing the head of the pancreas, the first part of the small intestine (duodenum), the gallbladder and part of the bile duct to treat tumors or other disorders of the pancreas, bile duct or duodenum. The procedure is technically demanding because it requires removing and reconnecting multiple organs near major blood vessels, making it high-risk and best performed by experienced surgical teams. Recovery also can be challenging with potential complications and long-term changes to digestion.

“It was a complex but necessary approach to give him the best chance at a cure,” said Fisher, professor of surgery and director of the Elkins Pancreas Center.

Lackey underwent chemotherapy before surgery, and his tumor responded well to the treatment. During his pre-surgery workup, doctors found he had critical coronary artery stenosis, a severe narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This condition can significantly increase the risk of heart attack or complications during surgery, so it required immediate attention and management before proceeding with his planned procedure.

“He underwent successful placement of two stents before surgery, significantly reducing his risk of perioperative myocardial infarction,” Fisher said.

After his stent procedure, Lackey was cleared for the Whipple procedure. “Surgery went as planned, and the final pathology brought welcome news: a margin-negative resection with 0 of 32 lymph nodes involved,” Fisher said. “These findings are rare in pancreatic cancer and gave him a real shot at long-term survival. And now, a decade later, he’s still doing well.”

Lackey’s story is one of gratitude and resilience. He tears up when talking about the journey. “I had no doubt that I was going to make it,” he said. “Chemo was not a lot of fun, but we got through it OK. I’ve gone through everything they told me to do, and I appreciate the level of care we’ve had here. You can’t ask for anything better.”

Fisher hopes Lackey’s story reminds others that statistics aren’t everything. “The first thing many patients do after a diagnosis is go online and look up survival rates, which can be discouraging,” he said. “But every patient is different. There are many cases like this in my practice where patients have beaten the odds.”

Lackey and his wife now live life to the fullest. They get up and go whenever they want, whether it’s biking, traveling to Alaska or celebrating his 80th birthday. He knows every day is a gift.

His message for others facing pancreatic cancer? “Don’t give up,” he said. “It’s not a death sentence. It doesn’t have to be.”

Patients interested in scheduling with Fisher or his partners can call 832-957-6500.

By Tiffany Harston, senior communications associate in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery