Jeff’s Story

Site created on November 4, 2014

Jeff had increasing back pain since winter 2014. In February 2014, X-rays of his back showed no concerns. By June, he had significant radicular pain over his right flank. On August 15, 2014 CT results and an emergency MRI showed a tumor on his T8 vertebrae. The tumor was leaning on a nerve root (causing the radicular pain) and encroaching his spinal cord. The T8 vertebrae was also collapsed. Several other vertebrae were eaten thru in places, looking like Swiss cheese on the test results.



The immediate concern was paralysis, since most of his spinal cord at the T8 location was being pinched. Specialized blood and urine labs confirmed the diagnosis of multiple myeloma - a type of blood cancer of the plasma. Multiple myeloma attacks the spine first, since it is richest in bone marrow where plasma is at its highest concentration. Eleven days later, August 26th, he began 16 weeks of chemo - 22 pills and an injection every Tuesday.



The next course of treatment recommended by the oncologist at the Cancer Center in Peoria as well as a specialist at University of Chicago was a bone marrow transplant. Jeff began a 5-day process of harvesting his own stem cells in January 2015. On February 8th he was hospitalized in isolation, given 2 day chemo to kill his entire bone marrow, and then given his harvested stem cells back to him. He came home 15 days later on February 23rd. The hope is that the new stem cells, the building blocks of bone marrow, will create new plasma without cancer cells.



Newest Update

One week from today: Celebration of Life for Jeff

Journal entry by Chris Coursey —

Hi friends; a very happy new year to all of you. One week from today is the celebration of life service for Jeff Buckingham at Vineyard Peoria with an 11am visitation then a 12pm celebration service. This will be a time to share stories, remember and celebrate Jeff's life. Would love to see anyone who can make it.
Read More of the journal titled "One week from today: Celebration of Life for Jeff"
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