When Michael King was told he had stage 4 esophageal adenocarcinoma, his response wasn’t fear or disbelief.
“I actually said, ‘Let’s knock this out.’ I didn’t feel sorry for myself or anything like that.”
That mindset, shaped by decades of service as a Vietnam veteran and Baton Rouge police officer, has carried Michael through nearly four years of treatment at FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute.
When Something Wasn’t Right
It started in April 2022, when Michael couldn’t keep food down.
“My throat was swollen. I went to my regular doctor, and he suggested I see a gastroenterologist.”
That referral led him to the appointment with Christopher Christensen, MD, that quickly changed everything.
“He came out after they sedated me. I woke up, and my wife was in tears,” Michael remembers. “Dr. Christensen told me he couldn’t even get the tube down my throat because my lymph node was swollen. He showed me pictures and said it was stage 4 adenocarcinoma.”
Because of the severity of his condition, Michael needed a PET scan, followed by additional testing to determine the next steps.
His son, Sean King, who works at FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake as a nursing supervisor, helped his parents navigate the cancer diagnosis.
Soon after, Michael met Nicholas LeBlanc, MD, thoracic surgeon, and began what would become a long, steady treatment plan.
Life on Treatment and the Team Who Feels Like Family
To help him swallow, doctors placed a stent in Michael’s throat. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy followed, a routine that became part of everyday life.
“Every other week since May of 2022,” Michael says. “Tuesday labs, see the doctor or PA, get chemo, then the pump comes off Thursday.”
Along the way, his care team evolved, but the support never wavered.
“I appreciate the doctors and the nurses. They’re family, just about. Every time I go in, I get a hug.”
His current oncologist, Georges Constantinou, MD, has played a key role not only in his care, but also in helping Michael navigate benefits related to Agent Orange exposure during his Vietnam service.
“He’s been great.”
Michael is also quick to name Dustin Denicola, NP, as an important part of his care team, someone who has walked closely with him through treatment.
Progress, Perspective and Living with Uncertainty
While doctors haven’t officially used the word “remission,” the signs are encouraging.
“My last PET scan looked pretty good. It hasn’t spread, but there’s no guarantee it won’t come back,” Michael says.
For Michael, the uncertainty hasn’t changed how he views the journey.
“I call this a speedbump in the road of life,” he says. “You just gotta slow down and take every day as it comes.”
Faith, Family and a Life of Service
Through every challenge, Michael has leaned on two constants: his faith and his family.
His wife, Jan, a cancer survivor herself, has been his unwavering source of strength. Married since 1969, Michael calls her his guardian angel. “She deserves a medal,” he says.
Together, they’ve built a life rooted in faith, service and education, values that have carried them through both ordinary seasons and unexpected trials.
Their family, which includes three children and seven grandchildren, has rallied around Michael, turning everyday moments like ballgames and family gatherings into treasured memories. “Put your faith in the Lord and your family,” Michael says. “That’s what gets you through.”
Faith extends beyond home for Michael. He prays daily, lifting up others facing similar battles, and finds support in a close-knit group of retired police officers who meet regularly to encourage and pray for one another.
His decades of service, 25 years with the Baton Rouge Police Department and decades as a Vietnam veteran, shaped his resilience long before cancer entered the picture. “As a veteran and a police officer, you learn to overcome adversity,” he reflects.
A Full-Circle Geaux Hero Moment
On January 11, Michael will be recognized as an FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake Geaux Hero during the LSU Women’s Basketball game against Texas, honoring his resilience, service and strength in the face of adversity.
Michael’s son Sean was recognized as a Geaux Hero in 2022. Now, it’s Michael’s turn. Still, he keeps it simple.
“Put your faith in the Lord and your family,” Michael says. “Live every day as best you can.”
