Cancer care extends across the miles for 26-year-old in the U.S. Air Force

When you are just 26-years-old and making a six-year commitment to the U.S. Air Force, cancer is not supposed to happen to you.

But it did happen to Michael Worrick, an Airman First Class and the son of parents who have invested their professional lives in health care. Gerald “Jerry” Worrick is president and CEO of Door County Memorial Hospital/Ministry Health Care, and Candace Worrick is an RN. The family resides in Sturgeon Bay.

Michael was diagnosed in January 2009 with Hodgkin Disease at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Mo. Following one 21-day cycle of chemotherapy in Missouri, Michael returned to Sturgeon Bay for 7 additional treatment cycles by Green Bay Oncology physicians in Sturgeon Bay. The family is grateful to the U.S. Air Force and to his local health care providers who collaborated in Michael’s care.

“I didn’t know what to think of it at the time,” Michael said of learning he had Hodgkin Disease, which is considered an often curable type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. It is most common in early adulthood especially people ages 25 to 30, as well as in adults over age 55, according to the American Cancer Society.

”I’ll be fine in the long run,” Michael added.

But he knew something was wrong when his legs were constantly itching, his weight had dropped significantly and he was tired all the time. He sought help at the base clinic. After getting a blood test and a chest x-ray, Michael was referred by the U.S. Air Force to KUMC, where he was admitted and a biopsy was done on an enlarged lymph node that was discovered under his arm.

Doctors there told the family (the Worricks flew to Missouri to be with their son) the cancer was advanced - Stage IV. Chemotherapy began at KUMC, and it continued at Door County Cancer Center. Michael had a total of eight chemotherapy cycles.

“Once data came in, they really acted quickly,” Jerry said. “The Air Force was able to start the ball rolling with University of Kansas Medical Center, and the Air Force worked with Mike and allowed him to come home for treatment. The University of Kansas doctors worked with oncologists and staff here. It worked well.”

Still, it was a long road to haul.

“Once cancer enters your life, you are never the same. Everything changes. Until it hits home, you have no idea,” Candace said.  

Jerry added, “I can’t begin to describe what it feels like when all this started. I thought, ‘This can’t really be happening. He is so young.’”   

Michael and his parents were comforted by the fact that he was able to be treated for cancer near home. U.S. Air Force officials agreed with doctors that with Michael’s immunity suppressed, due to chemotherapy, it was best he not live so close to others on the Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Mo. The distance from the Air Force base to Kansas City was also problematic.

Michael has completed Boot Camp in San Antonio, Texas, technical school in Biloxi at the Kessler Air Force Base and was pursuing on-the job-training in air traffic control at Knob Noster when the cancer was diagnosed.

“When all this is done, I’ll go back on light duty for a while and hopefully get back to normal responsibilities soon,” Michael said.

While the chemotherapy was successful, the Oncology team at Green Bay Oncology concluded, after reviewing Michael’s PET/CT scan, that radiation therapy may reduce even further the size of an affected lymph node in his chest. After the pros and cons were discussed with Michael and his parents, it was decided that 20 radiation treatments would be given.

“A large tumor in his chest didn’t shrink as much as they would have liked. Everything else has disappeared from the radar screen,” said Candace, who has compiled three notebooks filled with data on her son’s care and research she has personally done.

“Even with all that knowledge at hand, a hug from a doctor feels good, too.” Candace recalled getting the hug from Dr. Sally Schlise, Director of Radiation Oncology Services at the Door County Cancer Center. Dr. Schlise is affiliated with Radiation Oncology Specialists, a part of the Regional Cancer Collaborative.

The Regional Cancer Collaborative at DCMH/MHC provides radiation oncology services and medical oncology services. All of these services are part of the large network of care that St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay, coordinates and oversees.

“I have all the facts, as I have studied Hodgkin Disease for 3-4 hours a day since January” Candace said. “Dr. Sally Schlise knew that somehow and, instead of more talk and rehashing of the pros and cons, simply gave me a big hug. Her hug spoke more eloquently than a million words. I didn’t need more than that; I just needed that human touch. We are grateful to her and all of the Door County Cancer Center staff.”

“It was certainly different”, Jerry acknowledged, being on the other side of health care. As the hospital’s president/CEO, he knows that physicians like Dr. Schlise and oncologists affiliated with Green Bay Oncology are good.

“But I didn’t know they are as good as they are. The oncology staff is very well-trained. They have access,” Jerry said.

He said he was impressed by the oncologists’ experience at such prestigious facilities as Mayo Clinic and the University of Wisconsin Medical Center-Madison, their connection to other experts and how they work as a team to make decisions about patients. “If a doctor has a question about a patient, they present it and discuss it as a group and ask what should be done. That’s what they did with Michael,” Jerry said.

“And the nurses in the Oncology Department—Wow! I found them highly trained and highly educated. They were able to put the family at ease, the patient at ease. And they really lessen the whole pressure of it. They are upbeat, happy all the time. They sit down with you and take the time, and they have a lot of experience,” continued Jerry, who also acknowledged the care by North Shore Medical Clinic’s Dr. Henry Saperstein.

Michael readily recalled a memorable moment in his care at DCMH/MHC. “It was probably the last chemo session. They all came in and sang to me. Everyone was nice; the staff was friendly and caring and explained things to me,” he said.

“They are now 95 percent sure I am cancer-free. If it comes back, they would have to do a whole regime of chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation,” Michael continued.

As for his future care, Michael will have CT scans every six months in Missouri. And he needs to make up (by the way), the six months leave from the U.S. Air Force by extending his original commitment. But he knows the time will, well, “fly by.”

The calm and good-looking guy, who was even asked to model clothing in a local fashion show, loves being an air traffic controller. 

“I think it’s a fun job. It’s challenging at times. And I want to do it professionally. That is the goal: to go to a civilian airport somewhere. So, hopefully, that will work out.”

More information about cancer care services and the Regional Cancer Collaborative at DCMH/MHC is available at stateofthearthope.com and by contacting the Door County Cancer Center at 920/746-7580.