GAME CHANGER: Bubba's Battle with Colon Cancer

In October of 2022, Brendan "Bubba" Harrison passed out while constructing the pole barn on his property. After a trip to the emergency center, he was diagnosed with Stage 2 Colon Cancer. He underwent a "Hemi-Colectomy". This involved removing the tumor, a portion of his bowel and then reattaching everything. Following surgery, Bubba underwent six grueling months of chemotherapy. During his non-chemo treatment weeks, he was determined to be in the classroom with his kids and coaching his Bay City Western Warrior High School baseball team to become County Champs.

On May 8th, a celebration took place with 100+ people gathered as Bubba made his inspirational walk out of the treatment center after his FINAL CHEMO TREATMENT. That day confirmed just how large of an impact he has on those around him!! His heroic story went viral uplifting the whole country.

Bubba and his wife, Kennedi, were enjoying their "cancer free" life. With treatment behind him, Bubba jumped into full summertime activities playing golf, attending sporting events and weddings, and vacationing at the family cottage.

However, in early September, Bubba started having upper abdominal pain. After discussing his symptoms with his care team and performing further testing, cancer was found in his duodenum. The cancer appeared to be anatomically next to his initial tumor, which led his surgeon to believe that this was "left-over" cancer from his colon. Bubba and his family went into full WARRIOR mode. Morgan, his sister put it best in "Bubba terms", "We fought hard the first half, enjoyed a good halftime, and now it's time to finish and WIN."

Following a series of doctors' visits and a consultation with a Hepatobiliary surgeon, a Whipple procedure was scheduled for October 18th-ironically, the same month and day that Bubba underwent his initial surgery a year ago. The Whipple procedure is one of the most complex surgeries a surgeon can perform. It involves removing pieces of several organs and rerouting ducts and blood vessels. Undergoing surgery again, exactly one year later, was daunting. However, Bubba's can-do attitude left him saying, "Let's get it done!" On pins and needles, the anxious family and friends held onto their faith and prayed for their "Bubba" to complete the first play of the second half of the game.

Bubba was in the operating room for 9+ hours. A mere 12 hours later, he was up out of bed and walking. AMAZING!!

Bubba has been reaching his post-op milestones right on schedule if not bit ahead of schedule. Some of the "high risk" complications don't appear to be an issue thus far. His pain is controlled, and he is continuing to move around well. Bubba truly embodies the hashtag, #BUILT HARRISON TOUGH.

Bubba and Kennedi are currently awaiting pathology results so that the next "play" in their journey can be determined. On day eight, October 26, he was discharged from the hospital. Obviously, he is doing remarkably well which I am sure has to do with his youth, sheer determination, faith, and support from his "fans". In order to remain close to Beaumont-Royal Oak hospital and his doctors, his healing continues at Kennedi's parents' home in Orion Township. It is the hope that he will return to their Bay City home by Thanksgiving where he can continue the next phase of treatment.

As you can imagine, Bubba's illness not only comes at a physical and emotional cost, there is also the financial hardship of a loved one being so ill. Kennedi has taken needed time-off work as a Nurse Practitioner so that she may be at Bubba's side during his rehabilitation. And, of course Bubba, a teacher and coach, will not be able to work in the near foreseeable future. Many people are asking how they can help during this challenging time. For local family and friends, both a euchre tournament and golf outing fundraiser are in the works. The date for the Euchre Tournament/Silent Auction is March 16th at a friend's home near Bay City. The Golf Outing is tentatively set for September 7th, also in the Bay City area. We will have more information on those events soon.

This GoFundMe has been set-up for family, friends, and Good Samaritans who may not be able to attend these events but would like to help in a monetary fashion. Any money raised will be used to offset some of the costs this young couple have now and will continue to incur in the future.

As always, prayers, good vibes, encouraging text messages, cards, phone calls and visits continue to be needed and appreciated!! We promise to keep you updated via the CaringBridge page.

Thank you for your continued love and support!!!

#Stronger Together #Built Harrison Tough #Team Bubba

Please scroll down to find pictures of just a few of Bubba's SUPER FANS!!!