A Second Opinion That Changed Everything

When Mike Wagner, 65, of Jasper, Indiana, went in for routine annual bloodwork through his employer, he never imagined it would set him on a life-altering path. What began as abnormal lab results quickly turned into growing concern when answers were slow to come.

“I had been feeling run down for a while,” Mike recalls. “But like a lot of people, I dragged my feet. I just figured it would work itself out.”

As the weeks passed, Mike’s condition worsened. His lab values were concerning, his appearance was changing, and his family felt an increasing sense of urgency. That’s when his daughter, Ashlynn Carson, encouraged him to seek a second opinion at the Good Samaritan Internal Medicine Residency Practice.

“That decision changed everything,” Ashlynn says.

At the residency clinic, Mike was seen by Shane Khullar, MB, BCh, and John Rogers, MD, faculty physician, who immediately took time to thoroughly review his history, prior imaging, and lab work.

“They didn’t rush us,” Mike says. “They sat down, explained everything in a way we could understand, even drawing diagrams. When we looked confused, they noticed and slowed down. That meant a lot.”

Jane Wagner, Mike’s wife, remembers how carefully the physicians listened—not just to test results, but to their concerns.

“They picked up on our body language,” she says. “They knew we were scared. They explained things without using big medical words, and they made sure we truly understood what was happening.”

Additional bloodwork was ordered that day. When the results came back after hours, Dr. Khullar personally called Mike and Jane with difficult but critical news: his bilirubin was dangerously elevated, and he needed to go to the emergency room immediately.

“He didn’t panic us,” Jane says. “But he made it clear this was urgent.”

Dr. Khullar also took the extra step of contacting the emergency department and specialty teams ahead of Mike’s arrival, ensuring a seamless transition of care.

“When we got there, they already knew everything,” Mike says. “We didn’t have to explain. That took a huge weight off our shoulders.”

Further testing revealed stage II pancreatic adenocarcinoma, along with other serious findings. Because the cancer was caught early, Mike was able to undergo a Whipple procedure and begin chemotherapy shortly after.

“If we hadn’t gotten that second opinion, it likely would have continued to progress unnoticed,” Ashlynn says. “Instead, his oncologist is hopeful—maybe even talking about a cure.”

For Mike and his family, the experience at Good Samaritan’s Internal Medicine Residency Practice was not only thorough—it was deeply personal.

“You’re not just a number there,” Mike says. “They listened. They cared. They acted quickly.”

Jane agrees, especially for those who may hesitate about a residency clinic.

“Some people hear ‘residency’ and get nervous,” she says. “But these doctors are exceptional. They have attending physicians, they’re incredibly thorough, and they truly take time with patients.”

Today, Mike continues his treatment closer to home, grateful for the care that set everything in motion.

“I didn’t want to hear the news I got,” Mike admits. “But I needed to hear it. That second opinion saved my life.”