My Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Story

By Windmill59

1 min read

It began with headaches. I had them for an entire week and they seemed to get worse. By week's end, I called a friend and asked her to bring me to the local ER. A CAT scan showed a brain tumor and before I knew what was happening, I was whisked by ambulance to a larger hospital. I received an MRI and a diagnosis of having 2 brain tumors, one on each side of my head. Surgery was scheduled for 2 days later and then the diagnosis of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, aka Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma.

A week before Christmas

This all happened a week before Christmas... my biggest gift was being sent home after surgery to spend the holiday with family before the start-up of 8 months of chemo. It's been quite a ride since then but I'm thrilled to say that I am now 8 months out post-chemo "with no emerging signs of cancer". The best news ever! I continue to receive MRIs every 3 months and the fatigue comes and goes but throughout it all, I am alive and have a lot more living to do. Best of all, my family lives in the same town as I do which puts my mind at ease. I am grateful.

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Daniel Malito Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Windmill59" user-id="3657101"/> That's quite a story but, I think, familiar to so many of us here. That pause before chemo for me was used up in the three months I spent in the hospital, with them trying to figure out exactly what type of cancer it was, but however you spent that initial period before the looming chemo, it was quite a time. I'm happy you got to spend Christmas with your family without the awful side effects of chemo, and I'm sure it's a memory you will always cherish! Glad to hear you came out the other side as well! Keep on keepin' on, DPM <img src="/content/images/2021/04/12/0660304e8f5516599fb5525467348d70_medium.jpg" alt="" class="uploaded-image"/> 
1. Dennis Golden Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Daniel Malito" user-id="3641972"/> It is amazing how much more the holidays mean when you are released from treatment and can enjoy family and friends
Susan Gonsalves Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Windmill59" user-id="3657101"/> Wow. You've been through so much and came out on the other side! Thank you for sharing your experience and giving hope to others. I'm continuously amazed by the strength those of us with blood cancer have to muster up. Take care. Susan (Blood-Cancer.com Team Member)
Leya Elijah-Lyle Moderator & Contributor
Sending you Hugs! So happy read your story and know you have received such good news!!
Dennis Golden Moderator
As Daniel noted - your story is a familiar one. A misdiagnosis of pancreatic cancer thanks to an emergency room MD at 4AM in July of 2020 really put my wife and I on the edge. A biopsy 7 days later revealed the "good news" -- the pain was due to non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in my abdominal area. A few fun filled months of R-CHOP chemo followed and so far it appears the cancer is in remission. Lets hope we both stay that way. None of us choose cancer and your attitude is great. Patients with cancer don't have a choice in this fight nor do their caretakers . You just take deep breadth and move forward. In the end we all seem to develop stronger relationship with people who helped us in our battle especially family members and close friends. Dennis(Blood-Cancer.com Team)
Doreen Member
Windmill59, Thak you for sharing your inspiring story. I'm so glad to hear you are doing well and I send you all my best for continued good health.❤ ~Doreen (Team Member)
Dennis Golden Moderator
Windmill59 Well hope we are on the same schedule - My Treatments ended in November and just last week the chemo port and I went our separate ways. Apparently the R-CHOP chemo o worked here and wish you the best of health Dennis (blood-cancer. net TEAM)
Katelynn Bauer Moderator & Contributor
You are such a trooper bravo! That is a lot that you went through! I am so happy for you that you are on the other side of this now. I hope you are able to do more of what you want instead of focusing so much on the cancer. Warm wishes, Katelynn (team member)
Ronni Gordon Contributor
<inline-mention username="Windmill59" user-id="3657101"/> What a shock to be told you have two brain tumors...and what a rollercoaster you must have been on. Thanks for sharing your story and glad you are doing well and have family nearby. Ronni (blood-cancer.com team member)