10/13/15 – On
December 12th 2008 I reported that I had achieved remission. On
October 28th 2013 I again reported that I had achieved remission.
Today, October 13th 2015, after meeting with Dr. Goy, I am again happy
to report that I am in remission from my Mantle Cell Lymphoma. All I can say to this is: REMISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!! …. AGAIN!!!!
Will this third
time be a charm for me? I certainly hope so. One way to help ensure that I stay
in remission would be to make sure my immune system is strong enough to fight
off disease. At this point in time it is not believed that my immune system is strong
enough. This is where Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) comes into play. GVHD is
the evidence we are looking for to show that my immune system has the ability
to ward off any and all outside illnesses, infections, diseases, etc... Unfortunately
since my stem cell transplant, back on November of 2013, I have never developed
any sign of GVHD. We again tried to force GVHD by having a DLI on August 3rd
but that too appears to have failed in getting any GVHD. Our current plan of attack
is to attempt to bring on GVHD by having another DLI on October 26th.
GVHD reveals itself in the form of a rash. As strange as it may sound we are
praying for me to get a rash.
During my
appointment with Dr. Goy today he mentioned that he will also be looking give
PD-1 another try. It seems that it is starting to be used and be more accepted
as a treatment for Mantle Cell Lymphoma. He feels more confident that he can
get me in a trial/study as well as getting it approved through insurance. If
this does happen I will be getting PD-1 treatments once every two weeks… more
to come on this.
Up next for me… I
have a follow-up/pre-DLI appointment with Dr. Rowley, my transplant doctor, on Thursday,
October 22nd. The DLI will follow on October 26th.
So… it sure feels
like everything is headed in a very positive direction for me. I truly feel
that Jesus has wrapped his healing arms around me and he just won’t let go.
Here is a YouTube
link to great song by Matt Redman called “You Never Let Go”. Enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76ifTTuL4XI
Then they cried to
the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.
He sent forth his
word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
Let them give thanks
to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.
Psalm 107:19-21
More to
come…
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
8 comments:
Yay, this is AWESOME news!! :D
Hey Renata, Yeah, this sure is awesome. I am working on the next phase to make sure I stay in remission. I am hoping to be back working by early November. I can't wait. Thank you so much for all your support. Rich
Praise the Lord for another remission! Will be praying for "the Rash". I have a friend battling multiple myeloma. He had numerous DLI infusions post allo before finally getting GVHD. I think they finally went for a larger dose but don't know the exact details. None the less, keep the faith! Our God is bigger!
Janet Kohler
WHOOOOHOOOOO!!!!! YEAHHHHHHHHH!!!!! YIIIPPPPEEEEEE!!!!!!
Strength granted. Persevering endures.
Hey Janet, The funny thing with looking for a rash is I scrutinize every little mark that appears on my body. I ask... "is this the rash?" The usual response is "You'll know it when you get it". Thank you for all your continued support and prayers. Rich
Hey Joanne, Love your response. Truly remission is cause for celebrating. I'm looking forward to getting things back to normal. Thanks for all your support and prayers. I'll be seeing you at church. Rich
Thank you for your blog and keeping us up to date. It is an inspiration to read your blog and know that there is hope to defeat MCL. As I write this, I am sitting in the Virginia Cancer Specialist's infusion clinic in Landsdowne, VA. Starting the second round of Hyper-CVAD with rituxin treatment. Hopefully I will be able to report the same results in 2016 and beyond.
Best wishes, Gene Schenk, Leesburg, Va.
Hey Gene, I am so glad my blog gives you inspiration. There is always hope with our fight against MCL. Sure… we may have some ups and downs… but in the end we will be OK and back to leading our normal lives. I often give the example of when I was on Hyper-CVAD. It was about a year later that I was in full remission and enjoying Disney World with my daughter. Although we are focused on what we are doing today, if we are able to fast forward life a few months we will see a bright picture. And yes, you do have a bright future ahead of you. I will keep you in my prayer. Best of health to you. Rich
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