Northwestern's Hudgins returns home, undergoing chemotherapy

Northwestern alumnus Brandon Hudgins in Charleston hospital

2005 Northwestern graduate Brandon Hudgins, now a junior on Winthrop University's cross country and track and field teams, is under care at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston for a rare immune disease, Spring Valley coach John Jones said today in an e-mail.

"Brandon Hudgins, former state champion and son of Northwestern coach Calvin, is at the USC Hospital in Charleston," said Jones. He has a rare immune disease which has taken a turn for the worse. Please keep the Hudgins family in your prayers."

Hudgins' brother Tyler is a freshman at Winthrop, also a member of the cross country and track and field teams.

Statement from father Calvin Hudgins:
Two weeks ago Brandon was diagnosed with a rare immune system disease called Wegener's granulomatosis (mayoclinic.com). It is a disease that effects the immune system and at that time was limited to the sinuses and ears. It is not curable, but treatable and it is not life threatening if it is treated. On Friday, he got sick and fainted, his doctors in Charleston wanted to see him on Monday. We traveled to Charleston on Monday and after examing the results of his urine test and blood work they decided to admit him to the hospital for testing. They are concerned that it might have spread to the kidneys and the lungs. They are being more aggressive with the treatments and we are waiting results of the kidney biospy that he had performed on him. If it is in the kidneys they will treat it with prednisone (which he is already on) and cytoxin, which is a mild form of chemotherapy. It is not cancer but it does effect the immune system. The preliminary results are good so we are optimistic. They are planning on releasing him either late today or tomorrow. He is feeling fine and anxious to leave. I want to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and phone calls. It is quite a humbling experience. Brandon is doing well and will probably be released from the hospital late today. They have biopsied the kidney and are waiting for the results.

scrunners.com, a MileSplit.us member not responsibile for content on other Web sites.