BUFFALO, N.Y. — University at Buffalo resident physicians concluded Day 3 of their strike. While they’re looking for better pay and better benefits, they also say it's about life and death.
Amongst that crowd was Karra Barrett.
"This is very personal to me, my son in November of 2023 was diagnosed with Leukemia,” Barrett said.
In spring of 2024, Bradley was sent to the ER after experiencing complications while undergoing cancer treatment.
Having already treated Bradley, Dr. Ko realized that something was off with Bradley. At that point, Bradley's doctor had already left for the night, but Dr. Ko knew that this couldn't wait, More needed to be done.
“I tried to keep professionalism, try to keep a stern face but when I [came] back into our room, I was very emotional because of how much I cared for Bradley and how much I wanted him to get better,” Dr. Ko said.
And so he did what he thought was best. He sought extra care for Bradley.
"Dr. Andy broke rank and ordered the tests to determine his true diagnosis and he was back in the PICU almost immediately with severe sepsis, liver failure, and necrotizing pancreatitis,” Karra said.
Without those tests, Kara says her son wouldn't be here today. Dr. Andy of course, calling his heroic first steps a team effort.
"I don’t know if I can take the credit for that, it's a team effort, the nursing staff, the attending physicians, everyone made that decision,” Dr. Ko said.
Now, a few months later, Bradley and his family taking the opportunity to pay it forward. Joining Dr. Andy on the picket line, and bringing pizzas too.
"Everything’s come full circle, he fought for me and my family when I needed it, and I'm going to be out here as long as it takes,” Barrett said.
An unconditional outpour of support, a trend that Dr. Ko says has been a key theme these past few days.
Thanks to life-saving efforts from Dr. Ko and the entire UB medical team, Bradley is on the mend. Although he is still undergoing treatment, mom says the cancer is undetectable in his bloodstream.
"He is doing well; he is undetectable in his blood and in his spinal fluid so he is back on track. Bradley is gonna be fine thanks to Dr. Andy and the nurses, and the attendings, and everybody,” Karra said.
It's a feeling of gratitude and connection deeper than "thank you," any sign, and any voice could carry, but it's a feeling that will stick with them for a lifetime.