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A Profile of Hope: Mike’s Story
 
In Mike’s own words . . .

Living with a serious disease can be a test. If you or a loved one has been there, perhaps you can identify with my story.

Surprisingly diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma in April 2006 at age 58, after the discovery of a lump the size of a golf ball under my right arm, I was about to begin what has been a successful five-year journey of trial and survival, even though I was not initially given promising odds in the beginning.

Discovered one morning while showering, a single lump literally came up overnight, but as we had a family vacation scheduled, I didn’t want to see a doctor right away or worry my wife, so I waited until after the vacation to schedule an appointment which finally came more than two weeks after the first lump discovery. Looking back, I think I probably should have made that appointment sooner.

By the time of initial treatment more than forty lumps were present and I was diagnosed at an advanced stage for the disease. What followed was a year and a half of chemotherapy with some ten different types and combinations of drugs. The lymphoma kept returning at shorter intervals and we continued seeing a variety of oncologists for both outpatient and inpatient care until, finally, we were referred to a nationally known, comprehensive cancer center in Southern California. Here, I was evaluated and accepted as a stem-cell transplant candidate.

In August 2007, I received a donor stem-cell transplant, called an “allogeneic” transplant, from a very closely matched German fellow in his early 20s who was found through the marrow donor registry. The procedure was successful with very few side effects. The most serious and annoying consequence has been repeated bronchial and respiratory issues, all successfully treated with antibiotics in time. Another benefit was that my diabetes also went away, though that might be attributed to the significant weight loss I experienced. 

My cancer returned in 2009 as a single mass in the abdomen and this was again successfully treated with a specific type of radiation therapy called tomotherapy. Nearly two years later, I remain in a second remission and am feeling great.

The whole experience has taught me patience, persistence and gratitude. My advice to others is to find a major cancer center with decades (not just years) of experience as close to home as possible. Trust their advice. Go for the cure, not just the treatment. Value the family, friends, and loved ones who rally to your side in the experience and connect to other survivors any way you can.

I am now retired at age 63, grateful for whatever retirement years with family and friends this miracle of cancer treatment has granted. I stay up to date on the newest treatments for this disease and post regularly to my blog (http://myjournal.altamobile.co) about my experiences and information I find helpful to other cancer survivors and advocates out there. I have supported new research by participating in fundraising walks and I look forward to staying involved in the efforts to eliminate this disease.