A Profile of Hope - Norman's Story

My Life With Lymphoma

I had a hacking cough that wouldn't go away and my wife insisted that I see an internist. He suggested an x-ray and that is how I found out I had lymphoma, non-Hodgkin small cell. From that point on, there was nothing casual about this illness. Initially, it was hard to digest, feeling as though my health had been taken away from me and wondering how I would tell my wife and children. I had always been so careful to stay in shape and wondered how I could have contracted lymphoma. I'm an accountant and understood legal and financial needs, but I had not prepared for the future, before I found out I had cancer. The first thing I addressed was making sure that my life insurance and beneficiaries were paid up and correct. All of this occurred back in 1988!

My initial experience and shock are like most people, feeling dazed, confused, nervous and uncertain about our future, but hoping for the best. My wife and I met with two oncologists and chose the one with the more positive outlook and better bedside manner. The recommended treatment was chemotherapy, every three weeks, for eighteen months. The chemotherapy worked quickly and magnificently in reducing the tumors and lymphoma. After a year in remission, the tumors started to grow again and I had an option to "watch and wait", meaning observation, or start on oral chemotherapy, which was Leukeran (chlorambucil). It worked slowly and I had no side effects from it, so I continued taking this for two years.

For nine years afterward, I was in remission and lived as if I never had cancer, aside from going to the physician for follow-up.  I wouldn’t think about my cancer. 

In July 2003, my lymphoma did return, I participated in a Phase II clinical trial that involved several injections and for the first few months it appeared to be working in all of the areas where I had lymphoma. Soon after, I found that it had transformed to a more aggressive form of lymphoma and I began stronger treatment with chemotherapy and Rituxan, every three weeks. I had almost no ill effects from these treatments aside from losing my hair (a shaved head is in these days!) and a few fingernails. I also followed up with some radiation pinpointed to the chest.

My Life Now

Here I am almost 19 years later writing about my feelings and how universal this journey is. During all of this time of medical treatments, I did things that my wife and I thought would help. We attended lectures and therapy groups through the Wellness Community. I gathered as much information as possible from lymphoma educational seminars in order to be proactive. My wife and children have been very supportive and giving me everything possible to aid my fight against lymphoma. I've continued to work, play racquetball and ski. I feel great. Over the last two decades, my life has continued. I exceeded one of my oncologist's initial prognosis of six year, by many years filled with family, love, and being blessed to grow old together, against all odds.

To watch webcasts and archived recordings of LRF's educational seminars, click here.

Do you want to help eradicate lymphoma?
Do you want to help those touched by this disease?

If you answered yes to one or both questions, join a chapter, become an advocate and/or make a donation.