William Busch, a 46-year-old Lansing man, rebuilt his strength and avoided further surgery through specialized pelvic therapy at Powers Health after an arduous cancer treatment journey. About 15 months following his initial diagnosis, Busch began working with Maria Liberio, PT, DPT, a clinical specialist in oncology and pelvic health. The therapy focused on two primary goals: eliminating the need for hernia surgery and regaining sufficient strength to return to the gym, addressing the physical toll of his illness and treatments.
Busch described the impact of his illness and treatment, stating, “You feel like a fraction of a person because you can’t do what you used to.” His therapy began with basic breathing exercises for four weeks, a significant mental adjustment for someone accustomed to high-intensity workouts like kickboxing. Liberio outlined a slow but challenging recovery process, designing weekly workouts that gradually increased in difficulty. Busch progressed through stretching, yoga, and resistance band exercises, moving from lightweight to heavier bands each week. This dedicated effort allowed him to successfully avoid surgery for his hernia and ultimately return to his gym routine.
The challenges began for Busch in 2024 when he discovered a hard lump in his upper right abdomen during a business trip. Initially attributing it to a pulled muscle, he sought medical attention at an urgent care facility, where a sonogram revealed several lesions on his liver. He was then directed to an Emergency Department for further evaluation, leading to follow-up testing with a gastroenterologist. On February 28, 2024, Busch was diagnosed with liver cancer. The following day, he underwent a colonoscopy, and on March 6, 2024, he received a diagnosis of Stage 4 colon cancer with complete metastatic infiltration of the liver, indicating the cancer had spread extensively, with over 60 tumors present, one the size of a golf ball.
Busch immediately began chemotherapy to shrink the tumors in preparation for surgery. He continued working for the first six weeks of treatment until he was laid off. Fortunately, he had accumulated financial savings that allowed him to focus solely on his health. After 14 rounds of chemotherapy, Busch underwent his first liver surgery on October 7, 2024, which involved removing a three-inch section of his colon and 12 tumors from the left half of his liver. Despite experiencing complications the night after surgery, requiring an emergency procedure the next morning, he made a swift recovery, walking by Friday and being discharged from the Intensive Care Unit by Saturday. The following Monday, he had a liver ablation for remaining tumors, and he returned home on October 17, 2024, to heal for six weeks.
His second major surgery took place on December 2, 2024, when surgeons removed the right half of his liver, which contained more than 50 tumors, along with his gallbladder. Following a five-week post-operative break, Busch resumed chemotherapy, completing six more rounds between January and April of 2025. It was after this period that he was declared in remission for the first time, leading to his introduction to Maria Liberio for therapy. During therapy, Liberio noted Busch had significant abdominal pain from a hernia over his incision. Together, they addressed bowel health and lifestyle factors, and Busch continued exercising through his chemotherapy sessions, resulting in a reduction of his hernia and the elimination of pain by the end of his therapy.
Unfortunately, this remission period lasted only two months. Tests on June 6, 2025, confirmed the cancer had returned. Busch has been undergoing chemotherapy since June 2025, anticipating it will be a lifelong treatment. By the end of January 2026, his treatment was reduced to a maintenance level of chemotherapy, which lasted eight weeks until another tumor developed on his liver. In early May, Busch was scheduled to undergo Y-90 radioembolization, a minimally invasive radiation therapy, to address this new tumor.
Throughout his challenging health journey, Busch maintains a proactive approach, carrying a green notebook to all medical appointments to log dates, test results, and answers to his questions. He also provides bi-weekly updates via text to a support group of over 100 people. Raised in Porter County, Busch has a diverse professional background, including working as a stagehand at the former Star Plaza Theater and pursuing a career in the entertainment industry in California. He later transitioned to renewable energy before moving back to the Midwest in 2016 after his father's death. He worked in the electric vehicle industry until being laid off and has since faced difficulties finding new employment. He now seeks a company that recognizes his resilience and experience as an asset. In the interim, Busch volunteers for the American Cancer Society, offering text-based support and sharing his experiences with newly diagnosed individuals. He emphasizes the critical role of his robust support network of family, friends, and former colleagues in sustaining his progress.