Humor helps Yuman battle rare cancer

Cancer has forced Theresa Bucsko to take some time off from her duties as president of the Yuma Jaycee Foundation and her job in the Yuma County Treasurer's Office.

She has been undergoing treatments for nasopharyngeal cancer - a disease her doctor tells her rarely strikes women.

But through it all, she keeps a sense of humor.

Nasopharyngeal cancer develops in the nasopharynx, an area in the back of the nose toward the base of skull. It lies just above the soft palate, just in back of the entrance to the nasal passages, according to cancer.org/docroot/CRI/ content, cancer research information.

"I certainly had no idea what this was. In June the biopsy of a lump on my neck indicated the disease. From what I was told, this is more common among men, or those of Chinese or Asian ancestry - and I don't fit into either of those categories," she said.

"Diagnosing (Bucsko) with nasopharyngeal cancer is a rare case, but not the first I've treated in Yuma," explained Dr. A. Sultan Lalani, her physician. "It is uncommon for a woman to have this disease. Most cases are men with ancestry from Asia, particularly southeast China, North Africa, Inuits of Alaska.

"Theresa was referred to me when she had a lump on her neck. A biopsy was taken and she was put on chemotherapy and radiation. This treatment is for several weeks.

"It is fairly treatable. Her prognosis is better than for many cancers," the doctor said. "She has lymphoepithelioma."

Causes of this disease can be genetic, environmental, a virus, mononucleosis and a tumor, like the one the patient had.

Under the circumstances, Bucsko is falling back on her strength and sense of humor.

"I don't know why I have it — I'm neither a man or Asian — so I guess I just had to have something different."

She underwent surgery recently and is on radiation and chemotherapy.

"I've lost 15 pounds already, and I have nourishment through a feeding tube. It's uncomfortable and I have to treat my nose and throat with a saline solution because they are so dry."

With all of this going on, she had back surgery on Sept. 18. "The surgery went well, and my foot problem is resolved," Bucsko said.

Her status now is continuing chemotherapy for two more weeks. "I'll have radiation treatment for nine more days. Then, I'll be in recovery for two months before I'm checked to see how the healing is going."

For several weeks she has been getting nourishment from a feeding tube. "My throat has been too sore to try to eat," she said.

What is she looking forward to for a first meal?

"A big, fat, juicy steak!" was the emphatic response.

Bucsko has been active with the Jaycees for several years - working on the Mutton Bustin' programs for the Jaycees' Silver Spur rodeos and serving as Silver Spur Rodeo chairwoman.

She is also the mother of the 2000 Rodeo Teen Queen, now Michelle Collum of Phoenix, and grandmother to Taeler Collum.

She is recuperating at the home of Anita Pully, her mother.

Mary Worthen, with the Jaycee Foundation, announced a fundraising dinner will be held Oct. 11 to raise money to help pay for medical bills and the caring for Bucsko.

"This will be from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Yuma Jaycee clubhouse, 2577 E. County 14th St.," Worthen said. "It will be a spaghetti dinner, $6 per person, plus a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and entertainment. Presale tickets are available at Western Warehouse."


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Pam Smith can be reached at psmith@yumasun.com or 539-6856.

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FUNDRAISER
WHAT: Spaghetti dinner, silent auction, 50/50 raffle and entertainment
WHEN: 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 11
WHERE: Yuma Jaycee Clubhouse, 2577 E. County 14th St.
TICKETS: $6, available at Western Warehouse.