It will have been 4 years since I was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma on August 25. A routine colonoscopy on August 25 2011 turned up a small mass in my duodenum and life changed. Intensive chemotherapy followed, which knocked out all signs of cancer. My oncologist, not satisfied, prescribed further chemo every 6 months for 2 years.. Those of you who have read this blog from the get-go know all of this. At the end of this regimen I was cancer free. So far as I know, I am still cancer free.
Mantle Cell Lymphoma was a new, rare cancer when I developed it and the only study of it was a trial at Cornell. Patients were more involved than I was, that is, their marrows contained a much higher percentage of Mantle Cells at the start of treatment. Their median survival was 3.5 yrs. It was the only survival data I knew of then or now. Ergo, I have survived past the median for this study, at least. Probably not a good idea to generalize too far from all of this except to enjoy the moment.
I have had occasion to mention that I am a Mantle Cell survivor to a couple of docs in the course of treatment for other, more homely ailments. They express surprise, in such a way as to lead me to believe, I am very fortunate. And, I am.
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