Bud Sittig

Updated May 2021


It's been almost five years since I last posted on Bud's Story, and have been very reluctant to re-open CaringBridge after we closed the chapter on his cancer treatment. But I think it's important to share our most recent updates, and include our loving friends and family in the most recent developments. 

Bud received his last dose of Rituxan in January of 2021, completing his five year course of treatment for Mantle Cell Lymphoma and was given a clean bill of health. What a success! At the end of  March we gathered in Phoenix to celebrate the five year anniversary of his stem cell transplant (March 28th), and toasted to our gratitude for life, to the last five years and the next five years.  But life is unpredictable, and this year we have learned it can be painfully unpredictable. 

After experiencing a mild cold, Bud tested positive for COVID-19 on April 1st. His symptoms were mild at first but each week he has become more ill, and on April 16th he was admitted to the ICU at UC Health in Highlands Ranch. We learned that, despite receiving both doses of the Moderna vaccine, Bud's cancer treatments had prevented him from developing antibodies to protect him from COVID-19. By April 16th, Bud's symptoms became so serious he was admitted to ICU at UC Health. By May 5th he required intubation and has been supported with extraordinary medical care over the last two weeks.  Bud is a fighter and  we hold out hope each day that he will recover.  We are grateful for the loving support of all of our friends and family. 

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February 2016

We have set up this CaringBridge site to provide an update on Bud's progress and to share this journey with family and friends. This journey began last October when the doctor called following a routine colonoscopy with the news that Bud's biopsy had revealed, not colon cancer, but mantle cell lymphoma. We were in shock as he had experienced no symptoms and in fact was feeling very well! After seeing his primary care doctor, then the oncologist, and then completing a myriad of medical tests, we had to face the reality. Bud immediately began chemotherapy treatment that spanned ten weeks ending in late January. He tolerated this treatment exceptionally well except for fatigue and some minor complaints, and we were able to continue with a fairly normal living schedule. As we shared the news with family and friends, we were repeatedly encouraged to seek a second opinion at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Bud chose to follow these recommendations and the week before Christmas we traveled to Houston where Dr. Michael Wang, a global expert in Mantle Cell Lymphoma, examined Bud. He immediately recommended following the chemo treatment with a stem cell transplant, and referred Bud to Dr. Richard Champlin, Department Chair at the Stem Cell Transplant Center. The challenge with Mantle Cell Lymphoma is a very high relapse rate - within one to three years - with more difficult treatment being required with each relapse. Always leaning forward, Bud made the decision to schedule the stem cell transplant in Houston beginning on February 22, 2016. Although this is a difficult challenge, the treatment offers 80% probability for complete remission. We sincerely appreciate all the love, support and prayers that are encouraging us along the way!