Brandon's Brave Battle

Brandon Bouckaert is a freshman at Garber High School in Essexville, MI. He enjoys playing baseball, football and has a love for dirt bikes.   In late November of 2018, after his freshmen football season, Brandon began to complain about headaches and blurry vision.  He was assessed by an eye doctor on November 27th who saw fluid pushing up against his eyes.  After going to the ER and consulting at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, it was confirmed that Brandon had a tumor located on his pituitary gland in his brain. 

A germinoma is a rare form of cancer.  After the initial diagnosis, multiple tests and treatment,  they believe it may now be a teratoma.  The doctors are working hard to figure out this puzzle.  Due to the different types of tissues involved, it has led to incomplete results with varying chemo treatments.

Brandon has received 2 cycles of standard chemo, 3 day sessions, 3 weeks apart and  1 cycle of high level chemo, totaling 9 treatments.  

He will start radiation on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at U of M.  He will begin a 30 day treatment plan.  This means he will have radiation everyday with weekend breaks.  After this cycle, he will have another MRI to determine the next step in Brandon's plan.

The next 30 days are going to be emotionally challenging and financially difficult on this family.  Brandon's parents, Phillip and Abby Bouckaert and his brother Jared Bouckaert who is a 12 year old student at Cramer Junior High School have been quietly fighting this battle so far.

This family needs prayers, support and financial donations.  Phill and Abby have one vehicle and Phill is the sole provider of the household.  Phill has been driving Abby and Brandon to Ann Arbor and coming back home to work and take care of their other son, Jared.  Phill has taken time off of work and will no longer be able to do so unless it is without pay. 

The expenses are piling up for this family.  This family is now asking for prayers in having their needs met.  They want to stay connected as a family and living apart during times of treatment is never easy.  Many of us know the challenges of raising  two amazing young teens!  Feel free to help in any way you can.  This is a loving community and our world is full of goodness.  Let's show our compassion.  Please share!

Brandon is doing all of his high school studies online due to his compromised immune system.  He is not able to participate in sports and other interests that he typically enjoys at this time.

For I know the plans I have for you,  "declares the Lord, " plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
                                                                                                  Jeremiah  29:11