An Update on Pokémon VA James Carter Cathcart’s Cancer Battle
In April, Otaku USA reported that voice actor James Carter Cathcart was retiring after being diagnosed with an “advanced cancer.” Fans will recognize him for voicing Professor Oak, James and Meowth in Pokémon, in addition to his work for anime like Yu Gi Oh!, Tokyo Mew Mew, and One Piece. A CaringBridge Journal has been set up for people to keep track of how he’s doing.
On October 29, his wife Martha Jacobi updated fans with “overall good news.” Jacobi wrote:
Although it took most of the 14 days of target IV antibiotics for some decisions to make themselves known — Jimmy stayed in-patient for the entire course of the IV antibiotic treatment. It was long and tiring…he was sometimes feeling up to engaging in PT and sometimes less so…
But finally, this past Thursday, Jimmy was discharged back to home. VNS came on Friday afternoon, and we anticipate home services of PT/OT/”Speech & Swallow” therapy/and some limited home health aide assistance as Jimmy transitions back to home. Jimmy is walking independently (no walker) in the apartment again, and slowly gaining strength & weight. . .
An appointment with the original “head/neck” surgeon is scheduled for mid-November, to begin discussing when & how to reverse (get rid of) Jimmy’s tracheostomy. We are hopeful that if Jimmy stays healthy in the next couple of weeks, there could be some forward movement toward the reversal — which would be a *huge* step in his recovery.
The next follow-up PET scan is Nov. 30th, and we are hoping that the radiation oncologist’s optimism is as well founded as he believes it to be!
Labwork, of course, is ongoing for preventive purposes re Jimmy’s liver function, new infections, hemoglobin levels (which, we’ve learned, often dip with cancer & treatment).
Jacobi says they’re still taking it one day and one moment at a time.
Source: CaringBridge
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
