In late February, we had an appointment with the radiation oncologist and he ordered a higher resolution MRI for March.
We have since completed the MRI and it showed no evidence of metastasis, the doctors and team are attributing this to the chemo (there was something concerning in the January MRI). We believe it’s the combo of chemo, traditional meds/doctoring and prayers/healing energy everyone’s sending to Bucko, we appreciate all of you!
He is tolerating immunotherapy infusion well, we’ll continue with this treatment on an ongoing basis and assess as we go.
The placement of the port in his chest went well and they were able to use it right away for his infusion treatments and blood draws and upcoming immunotherapy infusions.
Bucko’s vitals and blood work continues to hold steady at or near normal ranges.
Chest CT results - the spots in the affected lymph nodes and his lung have shrunk considerably.
Upcoming appointments for the ongoing and monthly immunotherapy, and brain MRI are scheduled and Bucko is feeling alright. The immunotherapy does have one side effect that he’s managing with OTC medicine and natural supplements.
His attitude remains very positive - which we think also has a powerful impact on his treatment and healing.
We are very thankful that Bucko is enduring the treatment so well. In the middle of his 3-days of infusion treatment, Michele had an unexpected health event, she went to the ER, and ended up having an appendectomy.
She took Bucko with her to the ER at 6:30 am because they didn’t know how the day was going to play out. They were in the ER long enough for him to get to and from his chemotherapy appointment, and late in the afternoon the doctors said it would be best to have the appendix removed.
Thankfully, it was not severe enough to admit Michele overnight. She had the surgery, and was released later that same evening. Bucko drove for the 24 hours after Michele came out of the anesthesia (per doctor’s orders). The next day, they took turns driving, took their time, and had good weather, so they got home safe and sound.
Our family and friends have been wonderful-providing us support for travel, food, medical supplies and additional love and prayers.
Bucko is going about his days enjoying the good food from everyone, and we visited with some of our family throughout the crazy week we had.
Thank you for your patience on this delayed update, here’s what we have to share:
The January MRI helped us determine that currently the cancer seems confined to the chest.
Over the last several weeks, Bucko has had his second round of chemo, as well as adding immunotherapy treatment during the third round. He’ll have another round of immunotherapy along with the fourth round of chemo, then we can reassess for radiation therapy.
We have a chest CT and an MRI scheduled soon.
The doctor originally thought that Bucko had pneumonia a few months ago but that didn't seem to be clearing up with medicine. The scan showed a mass consistent with cancer so a bronchoscopy was scheduled in Ann Arbor, which ultimately confirmed that the mass was cancer.
Bucko completed his first round of chemotherapy and made it home for resting and recovering. He will have a few more rounds to schedule and should be able to get infusions through a facility in the Sault. He's been using some traditional medicines that were given to him as well.
We have an MRI scheduled soon.
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