Support Michael Baggett's Battle with Brain Cancer

On behalf of Michael Baggett, his children, Ashli, Kelsi and Logan Baggett, are reaching out to you today in a time of great need. On November 17, 2022, Michael suffered a grand mal seizure while at work. He was rushed to the hospital, where it was discovered that he had a brain tumor about the size of a racquetball, 8cm, in his frontal lobe. He was sent to Lubbock and connected with an amazing neurologist, Dr. Baronia. Dr. Baronia ran several tests and multiple scans and informed us that the tumor needed to be removed as soon as possible. He scheduled the surgery, a craniotomy tumor resection, for March 22, 2023.

This was Michael’s first surgery and hospital stay in his life. The surgery was successful in removing most of the tumor, although a small amount of residual tumor was left because it was located near some blood vessels. He spent two days in the neuro ICU recovering and was released on March 24, 2023. Unfortunately, he was discharged too soon and ended up back in the neuro ICU on March 25, 2023, with a hematoma. He was readmitted for another five days of care.

On April 6, 2023, Michael began physical therapy, completing it after six weeks. He returned to work on May 22, 2023, just two months after undergoing major brain surgery. He felt the pressure to get back to work due to the financial strain of being out of work for so long.

In May 2023, we received pathology results showing that Michael’s tumor was a rare form of brain cancer called oligodendroglioma, and it was classified as grade 2. The doctors recommended aggressive treatment, consisting of six weeks of radiation followed by a year of chemotherapy. On September 11, 2023, Michael began radiation, five days a week for six weeks. His doctors advised against him working during treatment, but Michael felt he had no choice, as the financial burden was overwhelming. He worked every day until lunchtime, then we would drive two hours each afternoon for radiation treatment, followed by an hour-long drive home, five days a week for six weeks.

After completing radiation in October 2023, Michael immediately started chemotherapy in November 2023. The treatment cycle consisted of five days of chemotherapy, followed by 28 days of rest. Despite the toll it took on him, Michael worked every day, whether he was on chemotherapy or not, resting only on the weekends. He completed 12 chemotherapy treatments, with his final session scheduled for December 2024.

The financial strain has been overwhelming, and our Dad has been reluctant to ask for help. So, we are asking for him. He has exhausted all his savings paying for travel to and from treatments, the treatments themselves, surgeries, and numerous CT scans and MRIs—the list is endless. We don’t know how he continues to push forward, but we do know it’s by the grace of God.

Now, he is facing the reality of mounting medical bills and empty savings, living paycheck to paycheck. Any donation you can make will go directly toward helping Michael get back on his feet and toward his medical bills. No contribution is too small, and every bit of help is deeply appreciated.

For those who are unable to donate, please consider sharing this campaign with friends and family. Your support means the world to us, and we are incredibly grateful for any help you can offer.

Thank you for taking the time to read our Dad’s story. Please know that, regardless of how you are able to contribute, we thank you for your kindness, support, and prayers. We have felt every prayer!

To learn more about oligodendroglioma, click here: https://www.cancer.gov/rare-brain-spine-tumor/tumors/oligodendroglioma