Christopher Bunnell

CHRIS’ CONTACT INFORMATION
617-335-3254
Mailing address: 999 Hancock Street, Unit 510, Quincy, MA. 02169


Welcome friends and family to Christopher Bunnell’s Caring Bridge site. We will use this mechanism to keep you updated on his journey.

In April, 2019 during a annual physical blood test, Chris’ primary care physician, Dr. Duggan, found that he had anemia. It wasn’t very serious so they monitored it by blood tests. He sailed along with no further concern until mid July. After the routine blood test, Dr. Duggan called him to tell him that his counts were not good and told Chris to go to the emergency room because he might need a transfusion. The results of that visit led us to referral to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute satellite in Weymouth, MA.

After a bone marrow biopsy, Chris was diagnosed with MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome). He was treated with Procrit and blood transfusions. After several weeks, it became evident that he needed more extensive treatment. He was scheduled with the Center for MDS and Leukemia at Dana Farber Boston (the “mothership”). His oncologist is Dr. Garcia. Her initial tests supported the MDS diagnosis but indicated the need for a more aggressive therapy leading to a stem cell/ marrow transplant. He started chemotherapy which was done as outpatient. He was monitored closely and received blood and platelet transfusions frequently. He had no severe side effects except fever which put him in the hospital twice for 48 hours each time. The plan was to get rid of the “bad” cells in his immune system and prepare him for a stem cell transplant, which could cure him completely. After 2 rounds of chemo, his response was lukewarm. Another bone marrow biopsy was done on January 7. Our appointment with the oncologist on January 10 was difficult. Dr. Garcia told us that Chris’ diagnosis is now Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The course of treatment and path to transplant needed to be changed. So, on January 12, Chris checked into Brigham and Women’s hospital (Dana Farber Cancer Institute’s inpatient facility). January 12, received a Hickman line and started seven days of aggressive chemo therapy followed by 3 weeks of inpatient recovery. The goal is still to go to transplant after one or two rounds of chemo.

Please send thoughts, comments and good wishes using the Caring Bridge site or directly to Chris. We will post updates as news comes available. Thank you, in advance, for your friendship and love.